Audition Materials & Character Breakdowns
Audition Materials
Please prepare two audition songs and recite one monologue from the characters below
Songs:
Please choose two songs from the list below to prepare: (All songs will need to be sung with the performance track for your audition)
Belle (sing from measure 128 to measure 158)
Home (full song)
Gaston Reprise (full song)
Human Again (sing from the start to measure 48)
Beauty and the Beast (full song)
SONGS
Song: Belle Cut (sing from measure 128 to measure 158)
With Vocals: Use this track to practice with.
Without Vocals: Use this track for your audition.
Song: Home (Full Song)
With Vocals: Use this track to practice with.
Without Vocals: Use this track for your audition.
Song: Gaston Reprise (Full Song)
With Vocals: Use this track to practice with.
Without Vocals: Use this track for your audition.
Song: Human Again (sing from the start to measure 48)
With Vocals: Use this track to practice with.
Without Vocals: Use this track for your audition.
Song: Beauty and the Beast (Full Song)
With Vocals: Use this track to practice with.
Without Vocals: Use this track for your audition.
Monologues
Please prepare and memorize a monologue of your choosing from the characters listed below.
BELLE: (Speaking to the Bookseller) Good Morning! I’ve come to return the book I borrowed. I couldn’t put it down. I wondered if you have got anything new? If not, I will just borrow one I have already read. It’s my favorite. Far-off places, daring sword fights, magic spells, a prince in disguise…Mine? You are giving it to me? Well, thank you! Thank you very much!
BELLE: (To the Beast) who’s there! Oh, then you’re the one responsible for locking up my poor father! Release my father at once! No! Wait! Forgive me! Please let him out. Can’t you see he’s not well? He’s an old man. He could die! Wait, please…take me instead! If I take his place, will you let him go? Come into the light and let me see you. (Belle sees him and reacts.) You have my word. I will stay here forever. (Belle falls down in tears.) I’ll never see him again…and I didn’t even get to say good bye.
LEFOU: (To Gaston) You didn’t miss a shot, Gaston. You’re the greatest hunter in the whole world. (Gaston: I know) No beast alive stands a chance against you! And no girl for that matter. (Gaston: It’s true, Lefou. And I’ve got my sights set on that one) The inventor’s daughter? (Gaston: She’s the lucky girl I’m going to marry) But, she’s – (Gaston: The most beautiful girl in town) I know, but – (Gaston: And don’t I deserve the best?) Well, of course you do!
GASTON: (To Belle, Handing her flowers) for you…Mademoiselle. I know I shouldn’t have, so don’t mention it. Belle, this is the day your dreams come true! I know all about them. Picture this. A rustic hunting lodge. My little wife massaging my feet while the strapping boys play on the floor with the dogs. We’ll have six or seven. Boys, not dogs. So Belle, what’ll it be? (Belle leaves.) That Belle, always playing hard to get. She turned me down for now, but I’ll have Belle for my wife. Make no mistake about that!
GASTON: (To Belle C Villagers) if I didn’t know better, I’d think you had feelings for this monster. She’s as crazy as the old man! She says this creature is her friend. Well, I’ve hunted wild beasts and I’ve seen what they can do! The Beast will make off with your children. He’ll come after them in the night! Forget the old man! I say…we kill the Beast! Try and stop us! We’ll rid the village of this Beast. Who’s with me?
BEAST: There’s a stranger here! Who let him in? You have all betrayed me! Who are you? What are you doing in my castle? You’re not welcome here! I am hideous aren’t I? You’ve come to see the Beast, haven’t you? I’ll give you a place to stay! ((Grabs Maurice) (Pause, change mood.) (To Belle) Belle, are you happy here? With me? Is something wrong? You miss your father? There is a way to see him again. This mirror will show you anything …anything you wish to see. He is lost? You should go to him. You’re not my prisoner, Belle. You haven’t been for a long time. Take the mirror with you. So you’ll always have a way to look back…and remember me. Go…Go. (She exits) I’ll never see her again.
LUMIERE: (CANDLE): (Try a French Accent) (Kissing Belle’s hand) Enchante’ Mademoiselle. Remember, Cogsworth, she is not a prisoner. She’s our guest! We must make her feel welcome here! Oh, and what is a dinner without a little music? Ma Chere mademoiselle, it is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you tonight. And now we invite you to relax. Let us pull up a chair as the Dining Room proudly presents…your dinner?
COGSWORTH (CLOCK): (Try a British Accent) (To Belle) Hello, I am Cogsworth, head of the household. And this is Lumiere…If there is anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable, anything…anything at all! Except feeding you! Can’t do that. You heard what the Master said! Oh fine. A glass of water, crust of bread and then… Oh all right, dinner. But keep it down! It the Master finds out, it’ll be our necks! What?? You want music too??
MRS POTTS (TEAPOT) (Try a British Accent) (To Beast) try to be patient. The poor girl has lost her father. We won’t be human again that soon. These things take time. Master, you must help her see past how you look. You could start by trying to make yourself more presentable. Be gentle. And above all….you must control your temper! Deep breaths, Master. Deep breaths. (After Belle refuses to come out) Well, what did you expect? Would you have us give up? I like the girl. I like her spunk. (To Belle) Hello, Dearie. I hope the Master didn’t frighten you too much. He can be a little temperamental.
MAURICE: (traveling through woods) (Confused) Now, let's see...is it this way? Or this way? (Horrifying realization) Oh, dear. Wolves! (Moves back – fearfully to the wolves) Stay back...back! (Above the wolves’ heads) Help! Someone help me! (Back to the wolves) Get back! (Back up) Help!
MAURICE: Belle? Is that you? (Cough) How did you find me? Belle, you must leave this place. (Belle offers to replace her father) No! Belle, you don’t know what you’re doing. No! Belle, listen to me. I’m old...I’ve lived my life.
BABETTE (FEATHER DUSTER): Oooh la la...what have we here? Do my eyes deceive me or is this a man? It's been so long since I've seen a real man. (Sees Lumiere) Oh no. Oh no. Oh no...no... no! I’ve been burnt by you before! Care for a blanket, Monsieur? I just love older men. You say you’re jealous, Lumiere? What about you with Simone, Michelle, Veronica?
Madame De La Grande Bouche (WARDROBE): I know it is ... but here we are! Well now, what shall we dress you in for dinner? (She lifts up Belle's sleeve) This is nice. But how would you like to borrow one of my gowns? Let's see what I've got in my drawers … (She opens her drawers and pulls out bloomers. She reaches in again and takes out a gown.) Ah, here we are. I wore this the night I performed at the Royal Opera. The King himself was there! Of course, I wouldn't have a prayer of fitting into it now. Take it!
SILLY GIRL: It can’t be true! I don’t believe it. Why would he go and do a thing like that? I simply can’t bear it! Oh Gaston, say it isn’t so. it’s true, he’s getting married? Waaaaaahhhhh! Oh no! No! Never! Waaaaaahhhhh! (runs off sobbing)
CHIP: Mama, you’re not gonna believe what I saw…not in a million thousand years…not in a trillion million thousand years! No really…this is the greatest thing…it’s the thing that everybody’s been waiting for since… since… since…I don’t know when! There’s a girl in the castle! But Mama there is! I saw her! And she’s real pretty too!
NARRATOR: Once Upon a Time In a faraway Land, A young prince lived in a shining castle. Although he had everything his heart desired, the Prince was spoiled, selfish and unkind. But then, one winter’s night, and old beggar woman came to the castle and offered him a single rose in return for shelter from the bitter cold. Repulsed by her haggard appearance, the Prince sneered at the gift and turned the old woman away.
Character Breakdown
Belle
Belle is a smart, confident young woman from a small village. You will want a strong singer and actress who is able to stand up to Gaston while showing compassion for Maurice, the Servants and eventually the Beast. If there are several female students in your school who could perform the role, consider casting two girls to play Belle on alternating nights.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Beast
The Beast is a young prince who was hideously transformed by the Enchantress' s spell. Casting for size is not as important as choosing a student who can handle this complex character: a dictator, a hurt child, a hero, a defender and a smitten prince. Cast an actor who can deliver a range of conflicting emotional states. Although the Beast does sing a small bit during "Something There" and the "Finale," this is truly an acting role (and his lyrics can be spoken if you cast a non-singer). If you choose to cast the Prince separately from the Beast, the Prince would end up singing the Beast' s lines in the "Finale."
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Narrators
The Narrators provide great opportunities to involve students who are more comfortable speaking than singing. The script is written to feature four Narrators, but you can incorporate more students (or fewer) depending on the size of your cast. Be sure the students you choose for these roles can enunciate and project, as they guide the focus and pace of this beautiful tale. These roles are non-singing, but the actors can also be a part of your ensemble.
Gender: Any
Old Beggar Woman/Enchantress
The Old Beggar Woman/Enchantress should be portrayed by an actor with a flair for the visually dramatic as this is a non-speaking role. Her transformation in the Prologue needs to entice the audience into the story. After the Prologue, this student may join the ensemble as a Villager or castle Servant.
Gender: Female
Gaston
Gaston is pompous and dim-witted and will do whatever it takes to win Belle's hand. Gaston has all the confidence in the world but lacks the humility to balance it. Finding a strong singer and actor is more important than physical size and stature for this role. He has to be able to sell his big eponymous number with gusto and arrogance as well as lead the Villagers in "The Mob Song." Biceps can be added to the costume, but the bravura needs to come from within.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Maurice
Maurice is an aging and eccentric inventor, but more importantly, the adoring and protective father of Belle. This non-solo singing role is perfect for the student who can have fun interpreting this crazy old manwhile conveying some very strong emotions: fear and fatherly love.
Gender: Male
Lefou
Lefou is Gaston's equally dim-witted lackey. This character needs to be Gaston's foil and should double the laughs for them both. Consider auditioning Lefou and Gaston in pairs to find the right chemistry. Lefou should be able to sing, act and dance. Choose a student who has some gymnastics training if you wish to embed tumbling into Lefou's movement.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Les Filles De La Ville
Les Filles De La Ville are in love with Gaston and will do almost anything just to be near him. Look for three girls who can portray the comic nature of these roles and enjoy playing off each other. Les Filles De La Ville sing together in three numbers and their sound should mix well.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Lumiere
Lumiere is a confident, charming French mâitre d who (under the enchantress's spell) is becoming a candelabra. He has an incessant bickering rapport with Cogsworth, so consider auditioning in pairs to find a good fit. Lumiere should be a strong singer who can light up the stage in "Be Our Guest." If you have a student who can handle the French accent, fantastic! This role covers a range of emotions (from charming entertainer to brave soldier) and requires prominent song and dance, so try to cast a strong, versatile performer.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Cogsworth
Cogsworth is the British major-domo of the castle who is becoming a clock. Like all of the castle s Servants, he shows a fatherly compassion for Belle yet is perfectly submissive to the master, the Beast. Cogsworth enjoys feeling like the boss and has no problem getting into it with Lumiere. Cast a strong actor and singer who can act in charge.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Mrs. Potts
Mrs. Potts is the castle’s endearing cook who is becoming a teapot. The actor you cast needs a strong, sweet voice and should be able to convey comforting, maternal qualities amidst the chaos that is breaking out in the castle. Look for a student who can play a loving mother figure to all the characters.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Chip
Chip is Mrs. Potts s son who is becoming a teacup. You may cast a younger student for this role, but it is not imperative. Chip has a wonderful naïveté that endears him to all of the Servants. Cast an actor who can portray the honesty and spirit of a child and is comfortable trying to sing Chips few solo lines.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: D4
Madame De La Grande Bouche
Madame De La Grande Bouche is an opera singer who is becoming a wardrobe. Madame is larger-than-life in everything she does, including her singing and dancing. Look for that student who can portray the ultimate diva with a heart with an outsized personality and voice. Madame has some harmony lines with Mrs. Potts and Babette, so cast a singer who can hold her own but knows when to pull back in order to sound good with the others.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Babette
Babette is the maid of the castle who is turning into a feather duster. She misses the finer things in life. Babette is happy to be at Belles service at a moment s notice, but her true heart comes through in Human Again.Look for a good actor with solid vocal skills to handle Babettes harmonies.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: A3
Monsieur D'Arque
Monsieur D'Arque is a sinister townsman who works for Gaston. Cast an actor who can believably exude his sinister personality. Although Monsieur D’Arque has few lines of solo singing in “The Mob Song,” this is primarily a non-singing role, so look for a solid actor first. Monsieur D’Arque can double as a Servant in the rest of the show.
Gender: Male
Servants
The Servants of the castle can include Statues, a Dust Pan, Flatware, Plates, an Egg Timer, Napkins, a Carpet, Salt & Pepper Shakers and any other household (or castle hold items) you and your cast can imagine. These enchanted characters are the Rockettesof the castle. They should be able to handle a potentially awkward costume while singing and dancing in two big production numbers. These roles can also accommodate multiple ages if you are looking to augment your cast with some young students.
Gender: Any
Villagers
The Villagers are the inhabitants of Belles town. There are some featured solos and lines that will come from this ensemble (Bookseller, Baker, etc.). The group must provide vocal power throughout the show and dance in the production numbers, so be sure to cast performers with a wide base of ability. These actors can double as the castle Servants if needed.
Gender: Any