CAST & CREATIVE
Meet the Cast and Creative Team bringing Beauty and the Beast to life.
Shubshri Kandiah
BELLE
Shubshri launched her professional career playing the role of Princess Jasmine in the national and international tour of Aladdin.
In 2022-23, she played the lead role of Ella in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Opera Australia) to critical acclaim.
Prior to this, after an international search in late 2021, Shubshri was cast in the central role of Maryam in Why? The Musical for Expo 2020 in Dubai, created and directed by award-winning filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, with music composed by Academy Award-winning film composer A.R. Rahman.
Past theatrical credits include: Cinderella in Into The Woods (Belvoir St Theatre), Brianna in the national tour of Fangirls (Belvoir St Theatre); Ismene in Antigone (Queensland Theatre) and The Pearlfishers (Opera Queensland).
As a Brisbane based performer, she has appeared many times as a featured artist with the Queensland Pops Orchestra, notably the 2019 NYE Variety Gala; in Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s 2017 Spirit of Christmas and An Evening with Liz Callaway, performing a duet with Liz herself. She performed the National Anthem at the 2021 NRL State of Origin in Brisbane.
Shubshri is a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University, holding a Bachelor of Musical Theatre.
Brendan Xavier
BEAST
Born and raised in Sydney, Brendan’s professional debut was Frozen the Musical, starting in the ensemble then taking over the lead role of Kristoff.
While studying Brendan’s show credits include Jack in Into the Woods and Bobby in Urinetown. His other professional work credits include a Royal Caribbean Production Show as a Featured Singer, Danny in Squabbalogics The Original Grease and TVC’s with Toyota and Hungry Jacks.
Brendan is incredibly grateful to be continuing his working relationship with Disney Theatrical. Brendan also wants to thank his family for the unwavering support and love.
Rohan Browne
LUMIERE
Rohan Browne has established an esteemed career spanning 25 years through a diverse range of roles and theatrical mediums.
As a musical theatre star, his interdisciplinary abilities have been showcased in roles as distinct as Peter Allen The Boy From Oz, Don Lockwood Singin’ In The Rain, Riff West Side Story, Zach A Chorus Line, Fred Casely Chicago, Rum Tum Tugger Cats, Ken Railings Strictly Ballroom, George The Drowsy Chaperone, King Herod Jesus Christ Superstar, Carmen Ghia The Producers and Tommy Albright Brigadoon, to name a few.
On screen he has been seen in prominent roles in Dance Academy, The Drop Off, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Hamish & Andy’s True Stories, Secret Bridesmaid’s Business, Ms Fishers Modern Murder Mysteries and cameos in the comedy juggernaut Mad As Hell and upcoming sketch show, We Interrupt This Broadcast. In film, he was an original artist of the groundbreaking Happy Feet and the hugely successful, The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee.
Jackson Head
GASTON
Jackson is a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University’s Bachelor of Musical Theatre.
His QCGU credits include Billy Bigelow in Carousel, Lounge Singer in Dogfight and Jean Valjean in Les Misérables. He also performed as a soloist with the Queensland Pops Orchestra in their Broadway on Screen and That’s Show Business! Concerts, sharing the stage with Rob Mills and Mirusia.
Since graduating, Jackson has appeared as Orlando in Melbourne Shakespeare Company’s As You Like It, Featured Ensemble in The Show Co.’s Mamma Mia! and as a member of The Ten Tenors in their Australian tour of The Highway Men.
Most recently, Jackson has been performing as Joseph Cover / Naphtali in the Australian Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Jackson is thrilled to be joining the Beauty and the Beast company and would like to thank his beautiful wife, loving family and incredibly cute doggo for supporting him along the journey.
Gareth Jacobs
COGSWORTH
Gareth has most recently been performing in the Australian production of Mary Poppins for Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, also understudying Von Hussler and Policeman
Gareth appeared in the role of Genie in the Australian production of Disney’s Aladdin for the Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, New Zealand and Singapore seasons. He performed in Ragtime for The Production Company and in the role of Jimmy Early in Dreamgirls and the role of Piragua Guy in In The Heights both for StageArt. Gareth starred in Jason Coleman’s Razzle Dazzle, played Michael in Tick Tick Boom for Little Fish Productions and worked internationally for various cruise liners and theme parks in stage shows and cast recordings.
Gareth graduated with a Bachelor of Music Theatre from Ballarat Academy of Performing Arts (BAPA) in 2003.
Jayde Westaby
MRS POTTS
Hailing from England, Jayde is an established Music Theatre performer who has been working on Australian and UK stages for more than 20 years. Jayde trained at Bird College of Performing Arts in London. Most recently Jayde starred as ‘Madame Giry’ in Phantom of the Opera (Opera Australia). Other roles include ‘Donna’ in Mamma Mia! (Matt Ward) ‘Mrs.Teavee’ in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Crossroads Live) ‘Tanya’ in Mamma Mia! (LWAA) Dream Lover (John Frost) ‘Melpomene’ in Xanadu (Hayes Theatre Co) ‘Magenta’ in Rocky Horror Show (Crossroads Live, ATG) ‘Judy’ in White Christmas (Michael Rose) ‘Mona’ & understudy ‘Velma Kelly’ in Chicago (Barry Weissler) ‘Mary Delgado’ in Jersey Boys (Dodger Theatricals) ‘Rosie’ & understudy ‘Nickie’ in Sweet Charity (Menier Chocolate Factory) ‘Anita’ in West Side Story (ATG) ‘Rizzo’ in Grease (David Ian) ‘Stephanie’ in Saturday Night Fever (Adam Speigal) ‘Ali’ in Mamma Mia! (Judy Craymer) Thoroughly Modern Millie (Clear Channel) ‘Enchantress’ in Beauty & the Beast (Disney).
Nick Cox
LE FOU
Nick is originally from Boston, Massachusetts though comes to you from New York. Nick’s US theatre credits include performing at Radio City Music Hall with the Rockettes, Marius in Les Misérables, Jack in Into the Woods and has performed Off Broadway. He has also toured twice as Bobby C in Saturday Night Fever the Musical for Broadway at Sea with Royal Caribbean and performed at 54 Below with Ryan Scott Oliver and Tony Award winner Lindsay Mendez. Nick placed 1st in Musical Theatre Vocalist and 2nd in Classical Vocalist in the US renowned NATS Competition. Nick is proud to call Australia home since 2019 and is thrilled to be making his Australian debut in Beauty and the Beast as Le Fou. Huge thanks to my darling wife Kathleen Amarant and my amazing family for all their support.
Rodney Dobson
MAURICE
Most recently Rodney performed in the Australian premiere of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, performing the role of Harold Zidler on over fifty occasions. Prior to that his theatre credits include Amos Hart in Chicago, Evita, Callahan in Legally Blonde, Charlie in Dream Lover, My Fair Lady, Roscoe Dexter in Singin’ in the Rain, the Bishop of Digne and Thénardier in Les Misérables (25th Anniversary), Daddy Warbucks in Annie, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Mr Mathew in Moonshadow, Dr Dillamond in Wicked, David in Company, George in Rosie, Dave in The Full Monty, Tobias in Sweeney Todd (Opera Australia), Twelfth Night (Belvoir St), The Big Bopper in Buddy, Jolson, Les Misérables (10th Anniversary), McLinden in Nathaniel Storm, Sunset Boulevard, Miss Saigon, South Pacific, Aspects of Love, Miss Julie (STC), Return to the Forbidden Planet and Chess. Rodney graduated from WAPPA in 1989.
Hayley Martin
BABETTE
Originally from the Whitsundays, Hayley most recently completed the Australasian tour of Disney’s Frozen, understudy Queen Iduna, of which she took over the role for the end of the Australian season.
Hayley’s stage and theatre credits include June and understudy Velma Kelly in Chicago, understudy for Magenta and Columbia in The Rocky Horror Show, Cha Cha and Dance Captain in Grease: The Arena Experience, Singin’ In The Rain, Hugh Jackman’s Broadway to Oz, understudy Erma in Anything Goes, Bolero Girl and understudy Gladys Murphy in the UK tour of Copacabana, Monty Python Live at Londons’ O2 Arena, King Kong, Love Never Dies, Hairspray, Crazy For You and Monty Python’s Spamalot.
Hayley also holds a diploma in nutrition, is a certified yoga teacher and wellness advocate for young aspiring performers.
Alana Tranter
MADAME
Alana graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in 2011 with a Bachelor of Music Theatre. Most recently she was an original cast member of the Australian production of Come From Away as Standby/Dance Captain.
Alana is passionate about new Australian works and has been fortunate enough to be a part of the original casts for Georgy Girl – The Seekers Musical, DreamSong for Melbourne Comedy Festival and NED – A New Australian Musical playing the role of ‘Maggie’, as well as being involved in the Sydney Theatre Company workshop of Muriel’s Wedding the Musical. Other theatre credits include ‘Ernestina’ in Hello Dolly for The Production Company, ‘Keren’ in David Williamson’s Third World Blues, ‘Sonia’ in They’re playing our Song and lead vocalist in California Dreaming – the Music of the Mamas and The Papas.
Alana would like to thank her parents, her partner and her agents for all of their continued love and support.
Tanika Anderson
ENSEMBLE
A graduate of Brent Street Studios, Tanika was most recently seen playing the role of Queen Iduna in Frozen the Musical which toured throughout Australia and Singapore. Tanika is best known for her role as a cast member on children’s TV series, Hi-5. Tanika also toured internationally with the children’s group, performing in some of the world’s most iconic theatres. Her other credits include the role of Jessica Bunting in the award-winning TV series, Fisk; a guest presenter on Foxtel’s Channel V; Universal Studios Singapore; ABC3’s Team Rescue; and Dance Academy.
Richard Astbury
SWING
Richard graduated from Arts Educational Schools London with a Bachelors in Musical Theatre. This will be his Australian debut after recently completing Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the London Palladium and UK tour.
After launching his career in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, he then went on to the UK/European tour of Cats as Coricopat and covering Rum Tum Tugger and Skimbleshanks.
Richard has performed in a multitude of theatres across the UK in shows such as Spamalot the Monty Python Musical, Sleeping Beauty and Priscilla Queen of the Desert, where he covered the role of Felicia. His highlights were making his West End debut In the RSC’s Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre London, later joining the UK & Ireland tour and appearing in the new Matilda movie for Netflix.
Other credits include; Snow White, (Thailand) The Sound of Music (Qatar) and Christmas in New York at London’s Prince of Wales theatre. Richard has also made television appearances with the cast of Matilda in Britain’s Got Talent semi -finals and with CATS at the Olivier Awards filmed at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Sarah Bourke
ENSEMBLE
Sarah began dancing at the age of 3. After leaving her home in Tasmania at age 18, she graduated with a Cert IV in Dance from Ettingshausens Pro in Sydney in 2017. During this time Sarah won a scholarship to train at Broadway Dance Centre in New York which she undertook after returning from her 10-month contract performing aboard Royal Caribbean International cruise liners.
Sarah made her professional Musical Theatre debut in 2021 in An American in Paris and then went on perform in the cast of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella in 2022.
Sarah’s credits also include ‘Arts for Alzheimers’ in NYC, performing with recording artist Starley at The Sydney Mardi Gras, plus TV appearances on programs such as ‘The Voice’ and ‘Dance Boss’.
Sarah is thrilled to be a part of this wonderful production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
Cameron Boxall
ENSEMBLE
Cameron, originally from Canberra, ACT made the leap to Sydney to graduate with a Diploma of performing Arts at Ed5 International in 2013. Since graduating he has worked internationally with Princess Cruises and Universal Studios Singapore. He has also performed with the award-winning group The Tap Pack touring Germany and all-around Australia.
In television and film, he has worked on programs such as A Place to Call Home (Seven Network), House of Bond (Nine Network), Pacific Rim Two (Legendary Pictures) and Wakefield (ABC Network and Showtime)
The world of Musical Theatre has seen him jump from many roles on stage to behind the curtain. Performing and Choreographing for Packemin Productions on several shows, including winning the 2022 Broadway World Best Choreography Award for his work on Kinky Boots. In 2019 he performed and choreographed Into the Woods with Bloom Creative Productions. He wishes to thank his family and friends for their ongoing love and support.
William Brougham
ENSEMBLE
William studied at Patrick Studios Australia, under the direction of Todd Patrick and Andrew Hallsworth. His first professional credit was with Opera Australia, performing The Nose at the Sydney Opera House. William then made his Australian musical theatre debut with David Venn’s Bring it on the Musical.
He has since performed on board Disney Cruise Line’s Dream and Fantasy ships as a dancer and acrobat. He performed with Katy Perry on The Voice Australia and was a featured dancer at the Royal Adelaide Show.
Most recently William completed the Australian season of Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella as the ‘Fox’.
William is thrilled to be joining the cast of Beauty and the Beast and wants to thank his family, friends and agent Cam for their love and support.
Virginia Cashmere
ENSEMBLE
Virginia’s musical theatre career began in 2012, where she played Young Lisa in the musical Moonshadow at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne. Virginia then trained at the Victorian College of the Arts and graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre.) Virginia then went on to join the cast of Disney’s Frozen, touring Australia and Singapore understudying the role of Anna. Other credits include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (MTC), Ghost Writer (MTC), Angry Boys (ABC) and Underbelly (Nine Network)
Emily Corkeron
SWING
Growing up in a family of musicians, Emily discovered her love of performing at a young age. She began full-time ballet training at age 14 and then went on graduate from the Queensland Conservatorium with a Bachelor of Musical Theatre in 2018.
She most recently completed the Australian tour of An American in Paris as a swing and understudy for Olga and Madame Baurel. Other theatre credits include Daphne in Thoroughly Modern Millie (The Production Company), Frenchy in Sweet Charity (Understudy Productions), Kathy in Company, and Minnie in West Side Story (QCGU). Emily performed with the Royal Ballet as a supernumerary in Christopher Wheeldon’s Winter’s Tale in their recent tour to Australia. She was also an ensemble dancer for Natalie Weir’s Expressions Dance Company in their workshop presentations of Carmen Sweet and R&J.
In 2020 Emily became a bookkeeper and is currently studying a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning.
Phoebe Coupe
ENSEMBLE
Phoebe made her debut as Martha Cox in Disney’s High School Musical – Live on Stage. She was a Swing in the original West End cast of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (ATG) and played Jolene/cover Christine in the UK Tour. Other credits include; They’re Playing Our Song (Platform Theatre Company UK), Sally in Reefer Madness (RL Productions), It’s Ony Life (Stella Entertainment), Meg in Merrily We Roll Along (Magnormos), Sugar (The Production Company), Flinders Street (Magnormos) and Shout! The Mod Musical (Norwegian Creative Studios).
She is currently studying a BA in Children’s Literature & Creative Writing, and enjoying a newfound love for building, renovating and woodworking.
Phoebe is thrilled to be returning to the stage for the first time since 2016, after taking time to prioritise her mental health. She is incredibly grateful to the people in her life that helped her to find her way back to the stage.
Amba Fewster
ENSEMBLE
Amba hails from Perth Western Australia and graduated from Patrick School of the Arts in Melbourne. During her full time training she was cast in Michael Boyd’s Cabaret De Paris as well as The Ultimate Vegas Show. Prior to graduating, Amba landed her first professional Music Theatre role in West Side Story touring Australia, Germany and New Zealand. She returned to the stage with the cast of West Side Story in 2021 debuting one of her cover roles Anita, followed by The Australian Ballet and GWB’s co-production of An American in Paris.
Amba has had the opportunity to work with The Squared Division, performing at the ICC Women’s World Cup alongside Katy Perry. She is a qualified Pilates instructor and has been working with the tertiary students at Patrick School of the Arts.
Amber is absolutely thrilled to be joining such a talented cast in Beauty and the Beast.
Anthony Garcia
ENSEMBLE
A 2022 graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Anthony Garcia has been a professional musical theatre performer since childhood. Aged at only 11years, he performed the role of Jeremy Potts in the Australian production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He was also cast as Pugsley Addams in the Broadway musical The Addams Family.
Other professional credits include the role of Jason in the musical Falsettos, a member of the children’s ensemble in the opera Tosca at the Sydney Opera House and the role of Juan in the musical Altar Boyz at the Subiaco Arts Centre. Anthony performed the role of Chino in Opera Australia’s internationally touring production of West Side Story in which he performed across the world beginning in Australia and then performing in theatres throughout Germany and New Zealand. Anthony recently performed his first professional leading debut as Duke Mahoney in Nice Work If You Can Get It.
Luke Haberecht
ENSEMBLE
Luke graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts with BA Music Theatre in 2017.
Luke made his theatrical debut at age 10 in the original Australian production of Billy Elliot the Musical. His other professional credits include: Jean-Michel cover in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Opera Australia/Gordon Frost Organisation), George cover in The Wedding Singer (David Venn Enterprises), Baby John cover in West Side Story (Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour/Opera Australia) and Oklahoma! (The Production Company).
Luke is thrilled to be performing in his first production for Disney and can’t wait to share this magical production with Australia.
Amy Hopwood
SWING
Amy has been training at Patrick School of the Arts since 2013 having completed the Academy, Elite, Musical Theatre (1st year) under the direction of Andrew Hallsworth and Performing Arts (2nd & 3rd year) programs. She has trained in all styles of dance and trains vocally with Tim Carroll.
Amy recently made her professional debut in Disney’s Frozen the Musical and is very excited to be working with Disney again in the cast of Beauty and the Beast.
Brady Kitchingham
ENSEMBLE
Brady began his career at age twelve with Australian television and film appearances in ‘Water Rats’, ‘All Saints’ and ‘Oyster Farmer’. As he sought to add more strings to his bow, he took up dance.
He has performed across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Canada and the US in some of the largest venues on the planet. In 2012 he toured three continents in DreamWorks’ ‘How To Train Your Dragon: Live Spectacular’ as an original cast member performing for Stephen Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg.
After working with Royal Caribbean International, he broke into improv comedy with Phly Crew collaborating on original works; ‘The Phly Crew Show’ & ‘Phly Crew 2.0’. He made his musical theatre debut in GWB + Opera Australia’s ‘West Side Story’ and continued on to work with Amy Campbell as Larry in Darlinghurst Theatre Company’s ‘A Chorus Line’.
An award-winning choreographer, he has created original works; ‘Passion May Yet Be Fatal’ and ‘Still Breathing’ with his company, The Blackguard.
Beauty and The Beast was the first musical that Brady ever saw in his childhood years and he is euphoric to perform in the show that inspired his entire livelihood.
Chloe Malek
ENSEMBLE
Chloe graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2021 with a BA in Music Theatre. A stand-out triple threat, she hit the ground running that same year, making her professional debut in An American in Paris for GWB Entertainment and went on to tour Australia with the production. In 2022 Chloe performed in Bells Are Ringing for Neglected Musicals staged at Sydney’s Hayes Theatre, directed by Luke Joslin. Her WAAPA credits include Polly in Crazy for You, Wendela in Spring Awakening, u/s Cassie in A Chorus Line, Kit Kat/Dance Captain in Cabaret, Lucinda in Into The Woods. Her other theatre credits include Bombalurina in CATS for Packemin Productions (2017) and Campbell in Bring it On for North Shore Theatre Company (2018).
Rubin Matters
SWING
Rubin most recently performed in Opera Australia’s national tour of Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, understudying the role of Prince Topher.
His other credits include: Peter Pan in Shrek the Musical (Gordon Frost Organisation), Diesel in West Side Story (Handa Opera/Opera Australia), Larry in A Chorus Line (Darlinghurst Theatre Company), Drew Boley in Rock of Ages (Mad About Theatre QLD), Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hello Dolly, Dusty and Show Boat (all for The Production Company), the world premiere of Georgy Girl – the Seekers Musical (Farrelly Productions), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Tim Lawson Enterprises) and Michael Ralph’s Hollywood Honky-Tonk (Giving Productions).
In 2015, he was the recipient of the ‘Playbill Future Prospect Award’ from the Rob Guest Endowment.
Ryan Ophel
SWING
Ryan Ophel is a versatile performer who graduated from ED5 International in 2017.
He was delighted to make his professional debut in Aladdin the Musical (Disney Theatrical Productions) in 2018, before joining the cast of Opera Australia’s Don Quichotte, Rigoletto, Don Giovanni and La Traviata. Ryan was cast as Greg in A Chorus Line (Darlinghurst Theatre Company) performing at both the Sydney Opera House and Riverside Theatres. He was also honoured to be included in the workshop and world premiere of Amy Campbell’s national tour of LEAP (Neil Gooding Productions).
Ryan has appeared in televisions shows such as Australia’s Got Talent (Fremantle Media), The Voice (Shine Endemol) and Carols in the Domain (Channel 7), performing with artists such as Delta Goodrem and Paulini. He was a featured dancer in the production Reflections (Primal Dance Company) and is a regular teacher at Sydney Dance Company. Most Recent Ryan joined Australia’s own Tap Pack touring Germany as well as Frozen the Musical in Singapore (Disney Theatrical Productions).
Anthony Sheppard
ENSEMBLE
Anthony graduated from The Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre. Prior to the VCA, he studied full-time dance at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School appearing in Main Season dance performances at the Malthouse Theatre.
Anthony made his professional debut in 2014 in The Production Company’s La Cage Aux Folles and has most recently been performing in the Australasian tour of Disney’s Frozen the Musical in the role of Swing, Assistant Dance Captain and understudy for the roles of Olaf and Weselton. Other theatre credits include Disney’s Aladdin as Swing and understudy for the role of Omar, Opera Australia’s Turandot, Frank and Bryant’s reading of The Silver Donkey (Melbourne Theatre Company) and Company for VCA.
Anthony appears in the 2009 feature film Knowing for Ezekiel Films and as a vocalist has performed for the AFL NAB Cup Grand Final.
Anthony appeared as Chip in Beauty and the Beast for Whitehouse Musical Theatre in 2006.
Thalia Smith
ENSEMBLE
Thalia is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Art, Musical Theatre BFA. In her graduating year Thalia played the lead role of Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street. Thalia made her professional debut in 2016 in We Will Rock You (GFO) as ensemble/cover Scaramouche. She then took on the role of Cha Cha in Harvest Rain’s Grease, and following that performed in Hello Dolly (The Production Company). Thalia then performed with the Australian tours of Mamma Mia! (Louise Withers and Associates) followed by Charlie & The Chocolate Factory (GFO) as a swing and Mrs Bucket understudy. Most recently she performed in Frozen the Musical (Disney Theatricals) as swing and dance captain.
Luke Ward
ENSEMBLE
Originally hailing from country Victoria, Luke moved to the city to pursue performance training at VCASS in dance, and then a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre at the VCA. There he received the Dobell Music Theatre Award and also had the chance to perform in Merrily We Roll Along as Franklin Shepard, Urinetown as McQueen, A Midsummer Night’s Dream as Puck and at the Hamer Hall Morning Melodies as a lead vocalist.
Beauty and the Beast is Luke’s professional debut, and he is incredibly excited for the opportunity.
Grace Williams
SWING
Grace grew up in Narre Warren South, finding her love for performing from the moment she could walk. She attended Cathy Lea Dance Works, and it was evident from day one that she has found her lifelong passion.
She extended her formal training at Patrick School of the Arts to receive her Diploma of Musical Theatre under the tutelage of Andrew Hallsworth in 2021, after completing their High School Academy Program in 2019. Since graduating Grace has worked with Ludo Studios in Bluey Live and Witches in Britches. She has also had the privilege of working with the team at Crown Casino and Robbie Williams in his 2022 AFL Grand Final show.
This is Grace’s theatre debut, and she couldn’t be more excited and grateful to be a part of such a beautiful company.
Akira Guiguen
CHIP
Akira is extremely excited and grateful to be making her first professional debut playing Chip in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast the Musical.
Akira is 8 years old. Ever since she was 8 months old she showed obvious talent and interest in the arts, music and dance.
Since 2022, Akira has been a student of The McDonald College where part of her school curriculum is Ballet, Contemporary dance, Violin, and she takes private singing lessons at the school with Elizabeth Cooper, and After School Hours R.A.D Ballet lessons.
Akira is grateful for this wonderful opportunity with Disney and thanks her family for their continued and undying support.
Ronin Cooper Jackson
CHIP
Ronin is delighted to make his professional debut as Chip in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. As a long time Disney enthusiast, this is a dream come true for the talented 8-year-old.
With over 3 years of training at LTK Speech & Drama studio, he has performed annually at the Wynnum Star Theatre as Boss of the Bunnies in Magic Treehouse and Young Jedi in LTK Showcase. A natural performer with a vibrant imagination, Ronin loves to transform himself into different characters and to express himself through song and dance.
Speaking English and French, he is a versatile and diligent young individual who finds joy in drawing, swimming, karate, soccer, and enjoying little nippers on the weekends.
Thrilled to join the talented cast of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Ronin is grateful for the support from his family, school and friends as they encourage him to pursue his dreams.
James Mitchell
CHIP
James is just 8 years old and discovered his passion for musical theatre and the arts at a remarkably young age. Currently honing his skills at the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA), James has already made waves in the local theatre scene with standout performances including Nemo in Finding Nemo Jr. and Young Rudolph in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr., among others. Beyond the stage, James has showcased his versatility in various TV and editorial commercial campaigns, notably for Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Ergon Energy, The Ugly Christmas Rashie, and the HOTA Kids Take Over series.
James is excited to make his professional musical debut in Beauty and the Beast. James would like to thank the Disney team, the entire cast and crew, his agent Howell Theatre, his incredible school, NAPA, teachers, family and friends whose support has played a pivotal role in turning James’s dream into a reality.
Ahad Vasava-Pathan
CHIP
Ahad is very proud and excited to be cast in the role of CHIP in Beauty and the Beast. This is Ahad’s first live stage experience, but he has been working in the entertainment industry since he was 5 years old.
Through his agent, Bettina Management, Ahad has had the opportunity to appear in many episodes of Play School ‘Art Time’ and Play School ‘Nursery Rhyme News’ as a Nursery Rhyme Expert. He has also worked on TV commercials and modelling shoots for Apple, Ebay, Kmart, Rock Your Baby, Best & Less and many more.
Ahad loves music, singing, dancing and learning to play the piano. He also has a passion for Bollywood movies, Bollywood dancing and singing in Hindi. He loves to entertain.
Ahad loves the magic of Disney – this is a dream role for him. He hopes you enjoy his performance.
Cru William York Lee
CHIP
Cru’s creative passion for the Performing Arts was evident from a very young age.
His love of dance was fostered at Dorothy Cowie School of Dance in Sydney before beginning his musical theatre journey at the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA), where Cru’s dance technique and musical theatre skills continue to be expertly honed along with the unwavering support of his vocal coach, Linda Ellis.
From entertaining his family in living rooms, to receiving accolades at solo dance competitions, and performing the role of Squirt in Finding Nemo Jnr (NAPA), Cru is driven by a love for performance and the unyielding support of his family and mentors.
Offstage, Cru’s life is an adventure filled with drumming, swimming and gymnastics.
8 year old Cru is beyond excited to make his professional debut in Disney’s Beauty and The Beast and is grateful for this amazing opportunity to do what he loves.
Shubshri Kandiah
BELLE
Shubshri launched her professional career playing the role of Princess Jasmine in the national and international tour of Aladdin.
In 2022-23, she played the lead role of Ella in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Opera Australia) to critical acclaim.
Prior to this, after an international search in late 2021, Shubshri was cast in the central role of Maryam in Why? The Musical for Expo 2020 in Dubai, created and directed by award-winning filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, with music composed by Academy Award-winning film composer A.R. Rahman.
Past theatrical credits include: Cinderella in Into The Woods (Belvoir St Theatre), Brianna in the national tour of Fangirls (Belvoir St Theatre); Ismene in Antigone (Queensland Theatre) and The Pearlfishers (Opera Queensland).
As a Brisbane based performer, she has appeared many times as a featured artist with the Queensland Pops Orchestra, notably the 2019 NYE Variety Gala; in Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s 2017 Spirit of Christmas and An Evening with Liz Callaway, performing a duet with Liz herself. She performed the National Anthem at the 2021 NRL State of Origin in Brisbane.
Shubshri is a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University, holding a Bachelor of Musical Theatre.
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Brendan Xavier
BEAST
Born and raised in Sydney, Brendan’s professional debut was Frozen the Musical, starting in the ensemble then taking over the lead role of Kristoff.
While studying Brendan’s show credits include Jack in Into the Woods and Bobby in Urinetown. His other professional work credits include a Royal Caribbean Production Show as a Featured Singer, Danny in Squabbalogics The Original Grease and TVC’s with Toyota and Hungry Jacks.
Brendan is incredibly grateful to be continuing his working relationship with Disney Theatrical. Brendan also wants to thank his family for the unwavering support and love.
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Rohan Browne
LUMIERE
Rohan Browne has established an esteemed career spanning 25 years through a diverse range of roles and theatrical mediums.
As a musical theatre star, his interdisciplinary abilities have been showcased in roles as distinct as Peter Allen The Boy From Oz, Don Lockwood Singin’ In The Rain, Riff West Side Story, Zach A Chorus Line, Fred Casely Chicago, Rum Tum Tugger Cats, Ken Railings Strictly Ballroom, George The Drowsy Chaperone, King Herod Jesus Christ Superstar, Carmen Ghia The Producers and Tommy Albright Brigadoon, to name a few.
On screen he has been seen in prominent roles in Dance Academy, The Drop Off, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Hamish & Andy’s True Stories, Secret Bridesmaid’s Business, Ms Fishers Modern Murder Mysteries and cameos in the comedy juggernaut Mad As Hell and upcoming sketch show, We Interrupt This Broadcast. In film, he was an original artist of the groundbreaking Happy Feet and the hugely successful, The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee.
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Jackson Head
GASTON
Jackson is a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University’s Bachelor of Musical Theatre.
His QCGU credits include Billy Bigelow in Carousel, Lounge Singer in Dogfight and Jean Valjean in Les Misérables. He also performed as a soloist with the Queensland Pops Orchestra in their Broadway on Screen and That’s Show Business! Concerts, sharing the stage with Rob Mills and Mirusia.
Since graduating, Jackson has appeared as Orlando in Melbourne Shakespeare Company’s As You Like It, Featured Ensemble in The Show Co.’s Mamma Mia! and as a member of The Ten Tenors in their Australian tour of The Highway Men.
Most recently, Jackson has been performing as Joseph Cover / Naphtali in the Australian Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Jackson is thrilled to be joining the Beauty and the Beast company and would like to thank his beautiful wife, loving family and incredibly cute doggo for supporting him along the journey.
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Gareth Jacobs
COGSWORTH
Gareth has most recently been performing in the Australian production of Mary Poppins for Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, also understudying Von Hussler and Policeman
Gareth appeared in the role of Genie in the Australian production of Disney’s Aladdin for the Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, New Zealand and Singapore seasons. He performed in Ragtime for The Production Company and in the role of Jimmy Early in Dreamgirls and the role of Piragua Guy in In The Heights both for StageArt. Gareth starred in Jason Coleman’s Razzle Dazzle, played Michael in Tick Tick Boom for Little Fish Productions and worked internationally for various cruise liners and theme parks in stage shows and cast recordings.
Gareth graduated with a Bachelor of Music Theatre from Ballarat Academy of Performing Arts (BAPA) in 2003.
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Jayde Westaby
MRS POTTS
Hailing from England, Jayde is an established Music Theatre performer who has been working on Australian and UK stages for more than 20 years. Jayde trained at Bird College of Performing Arts in London. Most recently Jayde starred as ‘Madame Giry’ in Phantom of the Opera (Opera Australia). Other roles include ‘Donna’ in Mamma Mia! (Matt Ward) ‘Mrs.Teavee’ in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Crossroads Live) ‘Tanya’ in Mamma Mia! (LWAA) Dream Lover (John Frost) ‘Melpomene’ in Xanadu (Hayes Theatre Co) ‘Magenta’ in Rocky Horror Show (Crossroads Live, ATG) ‘Judy’ in White Christmas (Michael Rose) ‘Mona’ & understudy ‘Velma Kelly’ in Chicago (Barry Weissler) ‘Mary Delgado’ in Jersey Boys (Dodger Theatricals) ‘Rosie’ & understudy ‘Nickie’ in Sweet Charity (Menier Chocolate Factory) ‘Anita’ in West Side Story (ATG) ‘Rizzo’ in Grease (David Ian) ‘Stephanie’ in Saturday Night Fever (Adam Speigal) ‘Ali’ in Mamma Mia! (Judy Craymer) Thoroughly Modern Millie (Clear Channel) ‘Enchantress’ in Beauty & the Beast (Disney).
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Nick Cox
LE FOU
Nick is originally from Boston, Massachusetts though comes to you from New York. Nick’s US theatre credits include performing at Radio City Music Hall with the Rockettes, Marius in Les Misérables, Jack in Into the Woods and has performed Off Broadway. He has also toured twice as Bobby C in Saturday Night Fever the Musical for Broadway at Sea with Royal Caribbean and performed at 54 Below with Ryan Scott Oliver and Tony Award winner Lindsay Mendez. Nick placed 1st in Musical Theatre Vocalist and 2nd in Classical Vocalist in the US renowned NATS Competition. Nick is proud to call Australia home since 2019 and is thrilled to be making his Australian debut in Beauty and the Beast as Le Fou. Huge thanks to my darling wife Kathleen Amarant and my amazing family for all their support.
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Rodney Dobson
MAURICE
Most recently Rodney performed in the Australian premiere of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, performing the role of Harold Zidler on over fifty occasions. Prior to that his theatre credits include Amos Hart in Chicago, Evita, Callahan in Legally Blonde, Charlie in Dream Lover, My Fair Lady, Roscoe Dexter in Singin’ in the Rain, the Bishop of Digne and Thénardier in Les Misérables (25th Anniversary), Daddy Warbucks in Annie, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Mr Mathew in Moonshadow, Dr Dillamond in Wicked, David in Company, George in Rosie, Dave in The Full Monty, Tobias in Sweeney Todd (Opera Australia), Twelfth Night (Belvoir St), The Big Bopper in Buddy, Jolson, Les Misérables (10th Anniversary), McLinden in Nathaniel Storm, Sunset Boulevard, Miss Saigon, South Pacific, Aspects of Love, Miss Julie (STC), Return to the Forbidden Planet and Chess. Rodney graduated from WAPPA in 1989.
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Hayley Martin
BABETTE
Originally from the Whitsundays, Hayley most recently completed the Australasian tour of Disney’s Frozen, understudy Queen Iduna, of which she took over the role for the end of the Australian season.
Hayley’s stage and theatre credits include June and understudy Velma Kelly in Chicago, understudy for Magenta and Columbia in The Rocky Horror Show, Cha Cha and Dance Captain in Grease: The Arena Experience, Singin’ In The Rain, Hugh Jackman’s Broadway to Oz, understudy Erma in Anything Goes, Bolero Girl and understudy Gladys Murphy in the UK tour of Copacabana, Monty Python Live at Londons’ O2 Arena, King Kong, Love Never Dies, Hairspray, Crazy For You and Monty Python’s Spamalot.
Hayley also holds a diploma in nutrition, is a certified yoga teacher and wellness advocate for young aspiring performers.
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Alana Tranter
MADAME
Alana graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in 2011 with a Bachelor of Music Theatre. Most recently she was an original cast member of the Australian production of Come From Away as Standby/Dance Captain.
Alana is passionate about new Australian works and has been fortunate enough to be a part of the original casts for Georgy Girl – The Seekers Musical, DreamSong for Melbourne Comedy Festival and NED – A New Australian Musical playing the role of ‘Maggie’, as well as being involved in the Sydney Theatre Company workshop of Muriel’s Wedding the Musical. Other theatre credits include ‘Ernestina’ in Hello Dolly for The Production Company, ‘Keren’ in David Williamson’s Third World Blues, ‘Sonia’ in They’re playing our Song and lead vocalist in California Dreaming – the Music of the Mamas and The Papas.
Alana would like to thank her parents, her partner and her agents for all of their continued love and support.
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Tanika Anderson
ENSEMBLE
A graduate of Brent Street Studios, Tanika was most recently seen playing the role of Queen Iduna in Frozen the Musical which toured throughout Australia and Singapore. Tanika is best known for her role as a cast member on children’s TV series, Hi-5. Tanika also toured internationally with the children’s group, performing in some of the world’s most iconic theatres. Her other credits include the role of Jessica Bunting in the award-winning TV series, Fisk; a guest presenter on Foxtel’s Channel V; Universal Studios Singapore; ABC3’s Team Rescue; and Dance Academy.
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Richard Astbury
SWING
Richard graduated from Arts Educational Schools London with a Bachelors in Musical Theatre. This will be his Australian debut after recently completing Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the London Palladium and UK tour.
After launching his career in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, he then went on to the UK/European tour of Cats as Coricopat and covering Rum Tum Tugger and Skimbleshanks.
Richard has performed in a multitude of theatres across the UK in shows such as Spamalot the Monty Python Musical, Sleeping Beauty and Priscilla Queen of the Desert, where he covered the role of Felicia. His highlights were making his West End debut In the RSC’s Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre London, later joining the UK & Ireland tour and appearing in the new Matilda movie for Netflix.
Other credits include; Snow White, (Thailand) The Sound of Music (Qatar) and Christmas in New York at London’s Prince of Wales theatre. Richard has also made television appearances with the cast of Matilda in Britain’s Got Talent semi -finals and with CATS at the Olivier Awards filmed at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
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Sarah Bourke
ENSEMBLE
Sarah began dancing at the age of 3. After leaving her home in Tasmania at age 18, she graduated with a Cert IV in Dance from Ettingshausens Pro in Sydney in 2017. During this time Sarah won a scholarship to train at Broadway Dance Centre in New York which she undertook after returning from her 10-month contract performing aboard Royal Caribbean International cruise liners.
Sarah made her professional Musical Theatre debut in 2021 in An American in Paris and then went on perform in the cast of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella in 2022.
Sarah’s credits also include ‘Arts for Alzheimers’ in NYC, performing with recording artist Starley at The Sydney Mardi Gras, plus TV appearances on programs such as ‘The Voice’ and ‘Dance Boss’.
Sarah is thrilled to be a part of this wonderful production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
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Cameron Boxall
ENSEMBLE
Cameron, originally from Canberra, ACT made the leap to Sydney to graduate with a Diploma of performing Arts at Ed5 International in 2013. Since graduating he has worked internationally with Princess Cruises and Universal Studios Singapore. He has also performed with the award-winning group The Tap Pack touring Germany and all-around Australia.
In television and film, he has worked on programs such as A Place to Call Home (Seven Network), House of Bond (Nine Network), Pacific Rim Two (Legendary Pictures) and Wakefield (ABC Network and Showtime)
The world of Musical Theatre has seen him jump from many roles on stage to behind the curtain. Performing and Choreographing for Packemin Productions on several shows, including winning the 2022 Broadway World Best Choreography Award for his work on Kinky Boots. In 2019 he performed and choreographed Into the Woods with Bloom Creative Productions. He wishes to thank his family and friends for their ongoing love and support.
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William Brougham
ENSEMBLE
William studied at Patrick Studios Australia, under the direction of Todd Patrick and Andrew Hallsworth. His first professional credit was with Opera Australia, performing The Nose at the Sydney Opera House. William then made his Australian musical theatre debut with David Venn’s Bring it on the Musical.
He has since performed on board Disney Cruise Line’s Dream and Fantasy ships as a dancer and acrobat. He performed with Katy Perry on The Voice Australia and was a featured dancer at the Royal Adelaide Show.
Most recently William completed the Australian season of Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella as the ‘Fox’.
William is thrilled to be joining the cast of Beauty and the Beast and wants to thank his family, friends and agent Cam for their love and support.
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Virginia Cashmere
ENSEMBLE
Virginia’s musical theatre career began in 2012, where she played Young Lisa in the musical Moonshadow at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne. Virginia then trained at the Victorian College of the Arts and graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre.) Virginia then went on to join the cast of Disney’s Frozen, touring Australia and Singapore understudying the role of Anna. Other credits include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (MTC), Ghost Writer (MTC), Angry Boys (ABC) and Underbelly (Nine Network)
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Emily Corkeron
SWING
Growing up in a family of musicians, Emily discovered her love of performing at a young age. She began full-time ballet training at age 14 and then went on graduate from the Queensland Conservatorium with a Bachelor of Musical Theatre in 2018.
She most recently completed the Australian tour of An American in Paris as a swing and understudy for Olga and Madame Baurel. Other theatre credits include Daphne in Thoroughly Modern Millie (The Production Company), Frenchy in Sweet Charity (Understudy Productions), Kathy in Company, and Minnie in West Side Story (QCGU). Emily performed with the Royal Ballet as a supernumerary in Christopher Wheeldon’s Winter’s Tale in their recent tour to Australia. She was also an ensemble dancer for Natalie Weir’s Expressions Dance Company in their workshop presentations of Carmen Sweet and R&J.
In 2020 Emily became a bookkeeper and is currently studying a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning.
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Phoebe Coupe
ENSEMBLE
Phoebe made her debut as Martha Cox in Disney’s High School Musical – Live on Stage. She was a Swing in the original West End cast of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (ATG) and played Jolene/cover Christine in the UK Tour. Other credits include; They’re Playing Our Song (Platform Theatre Company UK), Sally in Reefer Madness (RL Productions), It’s Ony Life (Stella Entertainment), Meg in Merrily We Roll Along (Magnormos), Sugar (The Production Company), Flinders Street (Magnormos) and Shout! The Mod Musical (Norwegian Creative Studios).
She is currently studying a BA in Children’s Literature & Creative Writing, and enjoying a newfound love for building, renovating and woodworking.
Phoebe is thrilled to be returning to the stage for the first time since 2016, after taking time to prioritise her mental health. She is incredibly grateful to the people in her life that helped her to find her way back to the stage.
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Amba Fewster
ENSEMBLE
Amba hails from Perth Western Australia and graduated from Patrick School of the Arts in Melbourne. During her full time training she was cast in Michael Boyd’s Cabaret De Paris as well as The Ultimate Vegas Show. Prior to graduating, Amba landed her first professional Music Theatre role in West Side Story touring Australia, Germany and New Zealand. She returned to the stage with the cast of West Side Story in 2021 debuting one of her cover roles Anita, followed by The Australian Ballet and GWB’s co-production of An American in Paris.
Amba has had the opportunity to work with The Squared Division, performing at the ICC Women’s World Cup alongside Katy Perry. She is a qualified Pilates instructor and has been working with the tertiary students at Patrick School of the Arts.
Amber is absolutely thrilled to be joining such a talented cast in Beauty and the Beast.
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Anthony Garcia
ENSEMBLE
A 2022 graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Anthony Garcia has been a professional musical theatre performer since childhood. Aged at only 11years, he performed the role of Jeremy Potts in the Australian production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He was also cast as Pugsley Addams in the Broadway musical The Addams Family.
Other professional credits include the role of Jason in the musical Falsettos, a member of the children’s ensemble in the opera Tosca at the Sydney Opera House and the role of Juan in the musical Altar Boyz at the Subiaco Arts Centre. Anthony performed the role of Chino in Opera Australia’s internationally touring production of West Side Story in which he performed across the world beginning in Australia and then performing in theatres throughout Germany and New Zealand. Anthony recently performed his first professional leading debut as Duke Mahoney in Nice Work If You Can Get It.
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Luke Haberecht
ENSEMBLE
Luke graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts with BA Music Theatre in 2017.
Luke made his theatrical debut at age 10 in the original Australian production of Billy Elliot the Musical. His other professional credits include: Jean-Michel cover in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Opera Australia/Gordon Frost Organisation), George cover in The Wedding Singer (David Venn Enterprises), Baby John cover in West Side Story (Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour/Opera Australia) and Oklahoma! (The Production Company).
Luke is thrilled to be performing in his first production for Disney and can’t wait to share this magical production with Australia.
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Amy Hopwood
SWING
Amy has been training at Patrick School of the Arts since 2013 having completed the Academy, Elite, Musical Theatre (1st year) under the direction of Andrew Hallsworth and Performing Arts (2nd & 3rd year) programs. She has trained in all styles of dance and trains vocally with Tim Carroll.
Amy recently made her professional debut in Disney’s Frozen the Musical and is very excited to be working with Disney again in the cast of Beauty and the Beast.
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Brady Kitchingham
ENSEMBLE
Brady began his career at age twelve with Australian television and film appearances in ‘Water Rats’, ‘All Saints’ and ‘Oyster Farmer’. As he sought to add more strings to his bow, he took up dance.
He has performed across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Canada and the US in some of the largest venues on the planet. In 2012 he toured three continents in DreamWorks’ ‘How To Train Your Dragon: Live Spectacular’ as an original cast member performing for Stephen Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg.
After working with Royal Caribbean International, he broke into improv comedy with Phly Crew collaborating on original works; ‘The Phly Crew Show’ & ‘Phly Crew 2.0’. He made his musical theatre debut in GWB + Opera Australia’s ‘West Side Story’ and continued on to work with Amy Campbell as Larry in Darlinghurst Theatre Company’s ‘A Chorus Line’.
An award-winning choreographer, he has created original works; ‘Passion May Yet Be Fatal’ and ‘Still Breathing’ with his company, The Blackguard.
Beauty and The Beast was the first musical that Brady ever saw in his childhood years and he is euphoric to perform in the show that inspired his entire livelihood.
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Chloe Malek
ENSEMBLE
Chloe graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2021 with a BA in Music Theatre. A stand-out triple threat, she hit the ground running that same year, making her professional debut in An American in Paris for GWB Entertainment and went on to tour Australia with the production. In 2022 Chloe performed in Bells Are Ringing for Neglected Musicals staged at Sydney’s Hayes Theatre, directed by Luke Joslin. Her WAAPA credits include Polly in Crazy for You, Wendela in Spring Awakening, u/s Cassie in A Chorus Line, Kit Kat/Dance Captain in Cabaret, Lucinda in Into The Woods. Her other theatre credits include Bombalurina in CATS for Packemin Productions (2017) and Campbell in Bring it On for North Shore Theatre Company (2018).
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Rubin Matters
SWING
Rubin most recently performed in Opera Australia’s national tour of Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, understudying the role of Prince Topher.
His other credits include: Peter Pan in Shrek the Musical (Gordon Frost Organisation), Diesel in West Side Story (Handa Opera/Opera Australia), Larry in A Chorus Line (Darlinghurst Theatre Company), Drew Boley in Rock of Ages (Mad About Theatre QLD), Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hello Dolly, Dusty and Show Boat (all for The Production Company), the world premiere of Georgy Girl – the Seekers Musical (Farrelly Productions), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Tim Lawson Enterprises) and Michael Ralph’s Hollywood Honky-Tonk (Giving Productions).
In 2015, he was the recipient of the ‘Playbill Future Prospect Award’ from the Rob Guest Endowment.
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Ryan Ophel
SWING
Ryan Ophel is a versatile performer who graduated from ED5 International in 2017.
He was delighted to make his professional debut in Aladdin the Musical (Disney Theatrical Productions) in 2018, before joining the cast of Opera Australia’s Don Quichotte, Rigoletto, Don Giovanni and La Traviata. Ryan was cast as Greg in A Chorus Line (Darlinghurst Theatre Company) performing at both the Sydney Opera House and Riverside Theatres. He was also honoured to be included in the workshop and world premiere of Amy Campbell’s national tour of LEAP (Neil Gooding Productions).
Ryan has appeared in televisions shows such as Australia’s Got Talent (Fremantle Media), The Voice (Shine Endemol) and Carols in the Domain (Channel 7), performing with artists such as Delta Goodrem and Paulini. He was a featured dancer in the production Reflections (Primal Dance Company) and is a regular teacher at Sydney Dance Company. Most Recent Ryan joined Australia’s own Tap Pack touring Germany as well as Frozen the Musical in Singapore (Disney Theatrical Productions).
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Anthony Sheppard
ENSEMBLE
Anthony graduated from The Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre. Prior to the VCA, he studied full-time dance at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School appearing in Main Season dance performances at the Malthouse Theatre.
Anthony made his professional debut in 2014 in The Production Company’s La Cage Aux Folles and has most recently been performing in the Australasian tour of Disney’s Frozen the Musical in the role of Swing, Assistant Dance Captain and understudy for the roles of Olaf and Weselton. Other theatre credits include Disney’s Aladdin as Swing and understudy for the role of Omar, Opera Australia’s Turandot, Frank and Bryant’s reading of The Silver Donkey (Melbourne Theatre Company) and Company for VCA.
Anthony appears in the 2009 feature film Knowing for Ezekiel Films and as a vocalist has performed for the AFL NAB Cup Grand Final.
Anthony appeared as Chip in Beauty and the Beast for Whitehouse Musical Theatre in 2006.
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Thalia Smith
ENSEMBLE
Thalia is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Art, Musical Theatre BFA. In her graduating year Thalia played the lead role of Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street. Thalia made her professional debut in 2016 in We Will Rock You (GFO) as ensemble/cover Scaramouche. She then took on the role of Cha Cha in Harvest Rain’s Grease, and following that performed in Hello Dolly (The Production Company). Thalia then performed with the Australian tours of Mamma Mia! (Louise Withers and Associates) followed by Charlie & The Chocolate Factory (GFO) as a swing and Mrs Bucket understudy. Most recently she performed in Frozen the Musical (Disney Theatricals) as swing and dance captain.
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Luke Ward
ENSEMBLE
Originally hailing from country Victoria, Luke moved to the city to pursue performance training at VCASS in dance, and then a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre at the VCA. There he received the Dobell Music Theatre Award and also had the chance to perform in Merrily We Roll Along as Franklin Shepard, Urinetown as McQueen, A Midsummer Night’s Dream as Puck and at the Hamer Hall Morning Melodies as a lead vocalist.
Beauty and the Beast is Luke’s professional debut, and he is incredibly excited for the opportunity.
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Grace Williams
SWING
Grace grew up in Narre Warren South, finding her love for performing from the moment she could walk. She attended Cathy Lea Dance Works, and it was evident from day one that she has found her lifelong passion.
She extended her formal training at Patrick School of the Arts to receive her Diploma of Musical Theatre under the tutelage of Andrew Hallsworth in 2021, after completing their High School Academy Program in 2019. Since graduating Grace has worked with Ludo Studios in Bluey Live and Witches in Britches. She has also had the privilege of working with the team at Crown Casino and Robbie Williams in his 2022 AFL Grand Final show.
This is Grace’s theatre debut, and she couldn’t be more excited and grateful to be a part of such a beautiful company.
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Akira Guiguen
CHIP
Akira is extremely excited and grateful to be making her first professional debut playing Chip in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast the Musical.
Akira is 8 years old. Ever since she was 8 months old she showed obvious talent and interest in the arts, music and dance.
Since 2022, Akira has been a student of The McDonald College where part of her school curriculum is Ballet, Contemporary dance, Violin, and she takes private singing lessons at the school with Elizabeth Cooper, and After School Hours R.A.D Ballet lessons.
Akira is grateful for this wonderful opportunity with Disney and thanks her family for their continued and undying support.
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Ronin Cooper Jackson
CHIP
Ronin is delighted to make his professional debut as Chip in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. As a long time Disney enthusiast, this is a dream come true for the talented 8-year-old.
With over 3 years of training at LTK Speech & Drama studio, he has performed annually at the Wynnum Star Theatre as Boss of the Bunnies in Magic Treehouse and Young Jedi in LTK Showcase. A natural performer with a vibrant imagination, Ronin loves to transform himself into different characters and to express himself through song and dance.
Speaking English and French, he is a versatile and diligent young individual who finds joy in drawing, swimming, karate, soccer, and enjoying little nippers on the weekends.
Thrilled to join the talented cast of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Ronin is grateful for the support from his family, school and friends as they encourage him to pursue his dreams.
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James Mitchell
CHIP
James is just 8 years old and discovered his passion for musical theatre and the arts at a remarkably young age. Currently honing his skills at the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA), James has already made waves in the local theatre scene with standout performances including Nemo in Finding Nemo Jr. and Young Rudolph in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr., among others. Beyond the stage, James has showcased his versatility in various TV and editorial commercial campaigns, notably for Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Ergon Energy, The Ugly Christmas Rashie, and the HOTA Kids Take Over series.
James is excited to make his professional musical debut in Beauty and the Beast. James would like to thank the Disney team, the entire cast and crew, his agent Howell Theatre, his incredible school, NAPA, teachers, family and friends whose support has played a pivotal role in turning James’s dream into a reality.
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Ahad Vasava-Pathan
CHIP
Ahad is very proud and excited to be cast in the role of CHIP in Beauty and the Beast. This is Ahad’s first live stage experience, but he has been working in the entertainment industry since he was 5 years old.
Through his agent, Bettina Management, Ahad has had the opportunity to appear in many episodes of Play School ‘Art Time’ and Play School ‘Nursery Rhyme News’ as a Nursery Rhyme Expert. He has also worked on TV commercials and modelling shoots for Apple, Ebay, Kmart, Rock Your Baby, Best & Less and many more.
Ahad loves music, singing, dancing and learning to play the piano. He also has a passion for Bollywood movies, Bollywood dancing and singing in Hindi. He loves to entertain.
Ahad loves the magic of Disney – this is a dream role for him. He hopes you enjoy his performance.
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Cru William York Lee
CHIP
Cru’s creative passion for the Performing Arts was evident from a very young age.
His love of dance was fostered at Dorothy Cowie School of Dance in Sydney before beginning his musical theatre journey at the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA), where Cru’s dance technique and musical theatre skills continue to be expertly honed along with the unwavering support of his vocal coach, Linda Ellis.
From entertaining his family in living rooms, to receiving accolades at solo dance competitions, and performing the role of Squirt in Finding Nemo Jnr (NAPA), Cru is driven by a love for performance and the unyielding support of his family and mentors.
Offstage, Cru’s life is an adventure filled with drumming, swimming and gymnastics.
8 year old Cru is beyond excited to make his professional debut in Disney’s Beauty and The Beast and is grateful for this amazing opportunity to do what he loves.
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Linda Woolverton
BOOKWRITER
Linda Woolverton launched her career as a writer with two young adult novels before she began writing Saturday morning animated television shows. That eventually led her to writing her first animated feature, Disney’s Beauty And The Beast. Upon its release in 1991, the film won the Golden Globe for the Best Comedy/Musical and became the first animated film to be nominated by for a Best Picture Academy Award.
Woolverton then wrote the screenplay for The Lion King animated feature for which she shares screenplay credit. She then rewrote the script for Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey as well as contributing to the animated feature Mulan.
She went on to adapt the script of Beauty and the Beast for the Broadway stage and received the Tony Award nomination for Best Book of a Musical in 1994. Woolverton was also awarded the Laurence Olivier Award for Beauty and the Beast for Best New Musical in the UK. Beauty and the Beast ran in New York between 1994 and 2007, becoming the sixth longest running show in Broadway history.
Woolverton also wrote the Book for Elton John and Tim Rice’s Musical Aida which ran for five years at the Palace Theatre.
In 2008, Linda received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Writers Guild of America-Animation Writers Caucus for her longtime work in the field of animation.
Woolverton’s script for Alice In Wonderland directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp, was released in March of 2010. The film grossed over one billion dollars worldwide and she became the first female screenwriter with a sole credit on a billion-dollar film.
Woolverton went on to write the screenplay for Disney’s Maleficent starring Angelina Jolie. The film was released in May of 2014 and became a worldwide success. Woolverton wrote the sequel to Alice in Wonderland: “Through the Looking Glass” and shares a credit on the Maleficent sequel: “Mistress of All Evil”. She also wrote the screenplay for an animated musical fantasy for Skydance Media.
Alan Menken
COMPOSER
Alan Menken’s music, songs and scores have become an integral part of the fabric of our lives since his first works were produced nearly 40 years ago.
His stage musicals include God Bless You Mr. Rosewater, Atina: Evil Queen of the Galaxy, Real Life Funnies, Little Shop of Horrors, Kicks, The Dream on Royal Street, Beauty and The Beast, A Christmas Carol, Weird Romance, King David, The Little Mermaid, Sister Act, Leap of Faith, Newsies, Aladdin, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz , A Bronx Tale and Hercules.
Song and score credits for film musicals include The Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast (Animated), Newsies, Aladdin (Animated), Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, The Shaggy Dog, Home on the Range, Enchanted, Tangled, Mirror Mirror and Beauty and the Beast (Live Action), Howard and Aladdin (Live Action).
Individual songs for film include Rocky V – “The Measure of a Man”, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York – “My Christmas Tree”, Life With Mikey – “Cold Enough to Snow”, Noel – “Winter Light”, Captain America: First Avenger – “Star Spangled Man” and Sausage Party – “The Great Beyond”.
Television credits include writing songs for Sesame Street, the ABC mini-series Lincoln, a musical episode of The Neighbors, the ABC series Galavant and the Disney Channel’s Tangled: The Series.
His chart-topping songs have included “Beauty and the Beast”, “A Whole New World”, “Colors of the Wind” and “Go the Distance”.
Winner of the 2012 Tony and Drama Desk awards for his score for Newsies, he has won more Academy Awards than any other living individual, including eight Oscars® with 4 for Best Score and 4 for Best Song; 11 Grammy® Awards (including Song of the Year for “A Whole New World”); 7 Golden Globes; a Daytime Emmy® Award; London’s Evening Standard Award; the Olivier Award; 3 Outer Critics Circle Awards and the 2 Drama Desk Awards.
Other notable achievements include induction as a Member (2008) in the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame followed by receiving the lifetime achievement acknowledgement of the Johnny Mercer Award (2017); Billboard’s number one single (“A Whole New World”) and number one album (Pocahontas).
Recent live concert appearances include Hollywood Bowl, Segerstrom Center, Royal Albert Hall, Budokan, Osaka-jo Hall, Maihama Amphitheatre, Tuacahn and Chicago Auditorium.
His Emmy® win elevated him to EGOT status, as the 16th person ever to receive an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award. In 2001 he received the distinction of being named a Disney Legend. Awarded two doctorates in Fine Arts from New York University and the North Carolina School of the Arts. In 2010 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Howard Ashman
LYRICIST
Best known as the pivotal creative mind behind The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast (which is dedicated to “Our friend, Howard Ashman, who gave a Mermaid her voice and a Beast his soul…”)
Ashman’s first love was theatre. He was a founder of Off Off-Broadway’s renowned WPA Theatre, where he conceived, wrote and directed the classic musical Little Shop of Horrors as well as God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater (both music by Alan Menken). A new cast recording of Rosewater Is available from Sh-K-Boom records. In 1986, Ashman wrote and directed the Broadway musical Smile (music by Marvin Hamlisch). Lamented as a lost treasure of the 1980’s theatre scene, Smile remains popular on high school and college campuses.
Ashman’s family is thrilled that Ashman and Menken’s original songs for Aladdin, some of which were cut in the making of the film — as well as portions of Ashman’s original film treatment — have been reinstated in the theatrical production.
A documentary about Ashman’s life titled HOWARD has received great acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of the man and the artist.
Howard Ashman died in 1991 from complications of AIDS. For more information, please visit howardashman.com.
Tim Rice
LYRICIST
Tim Rice has worked in music, theatre and films since 1965 when he met Andrew Lloyd Webber, a fellow struggling songwriter. Rather than pursue Tim’s ambitions to write rock or pop songs they turned their attention to Andrew’s obsession – musical theatre. Their first collaboration was based on the life of Dr. Thomas Barnardo, the Victorian philanthropist, The Likes Of Us. Their next three works together were much more successful – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita.
Tim has since worked with other distinguished popular composers such as Elton John (The Lion King, Aida), Alan Menken (Aladdin, King David, Beauty and the Beast), Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (Chess), and Stuart Brayson (From Here To Eternity). He has also written songs with Freddie Mercury, Ennio Morricone, John Barry, Rick Wakeman and Gary Barlow, among many others.
He has recently written and presented 50 weekly podcast chats (entitled Get Onto My Cloud) which are mercifully short (25 mins max) reminiscing about his years in music, theatre and film–playing hits and flops, out-takes and number ones. In 2021 he and Peter Hobbs wrote Gee Seven for the Truro Cathedral Choir to coincide with the G7 economic summit invasion of Cornwall.
Tim founded his own cricket team in 1973, which has now played over 700 matches, and was President of MCC, founded in 1789, in 2002. He was appointed President of the London Library in 2017 in succession to Sir Tom Stoppard. He is a Trustee of Sunderland FC’s Foundation of Light and a Life Vice-President of the schools/cricket charity Chance to Shine. He crops up here and there in all branches of the media drawing on his extensive knowledge of the history of popular music since Elvis was a lad.
He has won several awards, mainly for the wrong thing or for simply turning up.
Matt West
DIRECTOR & CHOREOGRAPHER
Matt West’s Broadway credits include: Lestat (Palace Theatre) Music by Sir Elton John, Lyrics by Bernie Taupin. Beauty And The Beast (Los Angeles Drama-Logue Award, Olivier, Drama Desk and Outer Critics’ Circle Award nominations). Elaborate Lives (Alliance Theatre) Music by Sir Elton John, Lyrics by Sir Tim Rice.
Off-Broadway credits: Disenchanted, Mimi Le Duck, starring Eartha Kitt.
International credits: Little Shop of Horrors (Buenos Aires), The Wanderer (Tokyo’s Parko Theatre).
Touring credits: Trolls Live! (Director/Choreographer, Cirque du Soleil).
Home Video: The Little Mermaid, Cinderella and Peter Pan (VSDA), The Nutcracker (The Disney Channel).
Disney Live Entertainment: World of Color, Dream Up, Jubilation, Fantasmic!
As an Actor, Matt created the role of Bobby in the film A Chorus Line directed by Sir Richard Attenborough.
Future projects: The Broadway bound wrestling musical Wow!
Stanley A. Meyer
SCENIC DESIGNER
North American Premieres: From Here to Eternity, FLMTF & Ogunquit Playhouse; Saturday Night Fever, FLMTF; Aida, Alliance Theatre.
Regional: Warhol Capote, A.R.T.; Treasure Island, A New Musical, Arkansas Repertory Theatre; The Three Musketeers, Syracuse Stage; Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Ogunquit Playhouse.
Rock Tours: The Steve Miller Band, Alice Cooper, Cyndi Lauper; Peter Pan’s Neverland Lagoon Spectacular, Universal Studios Japan; Verbolten!, Busch Gardens Williamsburg Roller Coaster; Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, US Tour; Barbie Live!, Southeast Asia Tour; Trolls Live!, US Tour; Disney Live! & Disney on Ice, International Tours.
Awards: The League of American Theatres and Producers, National Broadway Award; LA Dramalogue Awards – The Merry Wives of Windsor, Two Gentlemen of Verona, King Lear, Grove Shakespeare Festival, Southern California. 18 Awards for his designs for The Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena, California. Listed in the Library of Congress for illustrating the book 101 Things I Hate About Your House.
Ann Hould-Ward
COSTUME DESIGNER
West End/London: The Prince of Egypt; Imagine This; Beauty and the Beast (Olivier nomination); Notes from the Field by Anna Deveare Smith Royal Court); Dear World (Directed by Gillian Lynne).
Berlin: Schuh Des Manitu.
European tour: Ben Hur Live.
New York/Broadway: The Color Purple; The Visit; The People in the Picture; A Free Man of Color (Drama Desk nomination); A Catered Affair (Drama Desk nomination); Company; Dance of the Vampires; Beauty and the Beast (Tony Award®; American Theatre Wing’s Design Award; Ovation Award); Into the Woods (Tony® &Drama Desk nominations; Outer Critics Circle nomination; L.A.Drama Critics Circle Award); Falsettos; Sunday in the Park with George (Tony® & Drama Desk Nominations); Harrigan ‘N’ Heart; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; St. Joan; Three Men on a Horse; Timon of Athens; In the Summer House; Little Me; The Moliere Comedies.
Off-Broadway: over 50 off-Broadway credits including Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish (CSC): Passion (revival). Public: Hamlet; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; House Arrest; Russian Transport; The Blue Flower; Wings; In the Grand Manner; Let Me Down Easy; Road Show; Surviving Grace; Lobster Alice; Cymbeline.
Regional: over 100 credits in USA regional theatres including the Guthrie Theatre, the Old Globe, LaJolla Playhouse and Arena Stage.
Opera: Peter Grimes (Metropolitan Opera); West Side Story (Salzburg Festival); MAHAGONNY (Los Angeles Opera); The Most Happy Fella (NYC Opera).
Circus: Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus (2001 & 2003).
Film: Strike!; Six by Sondheim.
Ballet: Othello (Norwegian National Ballet); Bronze Horseman (Lar Lubovitch – Mikhailovsky Ballet); Othello; Artemis; Meadow (ABT); Reminicin’; Saddle Up; Morning Star (Alvin Ailey–San Francisco Ballet); Graciela Daniele (Ballet Hispanico).
Awards: US Representative for the International DesignQuadrennial in Prague; Recipient of F.I.T.’s Patricia Zipprodt Award.
Serving board member of BIANCA: semiconductor component manufacturing distributor.
Natasha Katz
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Natasha Katz is thrilled to be returning to Beauty and the Beast with the original creative team! She has designed for theatre, opera, dance, concerts and permanent lighting installations around the world.
Recent West End credits include: An American in Paris, School of Rock, The Glass Menagerie (Olivier nomination 2017), Aladdin, Motown, Skylight, Sister Act, and Once. She is a six-time Tony Award winner and was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame last year.
Michael Kosarin
MUSIC SUPERVISOR AND ARRANGEMENTS
Michael was music director, conductor, and arranger of the Broadway production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in 1994, and has collaborated as such with composer Alan Menken ever since. He’s worked steadily on Broadway since 1982, on the original productions of such shows as Nine; Grand Hotel; Secret Garden; King David; Mayor; A Chorus Line; Triumph of Love; Little Shop of Horrors; The Little Mermaid; Leap of Faith; Sister Act; Newsies and Aladdin, as well as on The Hunchback of Notre Dame and the recent stage adaptation of Hercules. His vast motion picture work includes Pocahontas; Hercules; Enchanted; Tangled; Ralph Breaks the Internet and the live-films of Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin; and he is currently at work on Enchanted’s sequel (Disenchanted), as well as Skydance Animation’s Spellbound.
An Emmy-award-winning television music producer and arranger, he worked for both seasons on the musical series Galavant, and has also composed songs and scores for children’s shows Sesame Street, the BBC’s Third and Bird, and The Wonder Pets, among others.
In the recording world, Michael is a three-time Grammy-nominated recording artist and producer, where his work ranges from dozens of theatre albums and motion picture soundtracks to concert recordings of the legendary Barbara Cook. He also maintains an active concert career ranging from cabaret to symphony orchestras and pop concerts, and has conducted Disney films live to picture in venues ranging from the Hollywood Bowl to Tokyo’s Budokan.
John Shivers
SOUND DESIGNER
John Shiver’s credits include: Pretty Woman, Beauty and the Beast 25 (Shanghai), Cirque du Soleil’s Paramour, Kinky Boots (2013 Tony Award recipient), Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway, Bonnie & Clyde, Sister Act, 9 to 5, The Little Mermaid, Tarzan and Billy Crystal’s 700 Sundays.
International credits: Spirit of Life, The Secret, Tarzan, Das Wunder Von Bern, The Lion King (Shanghai and Singapore)
Regional credits: Becoming Nancy, 42nd St., Rock of Ages, The Heart of Rock and Roll, Moonshine, Harmony, The Nutty Professor, Tales of the City, Emma, Robin and the 7 Hoods.
Other credits: Savion Glover, Burt Bacharach, Gregory Hines and engineering at Electric Lady Studios.
Rob Roth
PRODUCTION CONCEPTION
Rob Roth was nominated for a Tony Award® as Best Director for his Broadway debut, Beauty and the Beast. Rob went on to direct the show all over the world, where it has won many awards, including the Olivier Award for Best Musical in London. Rob went on to direct the world premiere of Elaborate Lives: The Legend of Aida, collaborating with Sir Elton John and Sir Tim Rice. Rob directed the Broadway musical Lestat, based on the Anne Rice Vampire Chronicles with a score by Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
Rob frequently directs rock concerts, and has worked with such artists as KISS, Alice Cooper, Dresden Dolls, Cyndi Lauper, and guitar legend Steve Miller. Rob’s concert productions have played at the most prestigious venues around the world, including Madison Square Garden, Radio City Musical Hall, Royal Albert Hall and the LA Forum.
Rob’s first play as an author, WARHOLCAPOTE, debuted at American Repertory Theatre, and will be published in hardcover by Simon & Schuster. Rob is an avid collector of rock and roll graphics, and his collection is the subject of the coffee table book The Art of Classic Rock.
Rob and his husband Patrick live in New York City with their labrador retriever Tag.
Danny Troob
ORCHESTRATOR
Danny’s career as a musician includes composing, orchestrating and conducting. Some early credits include Pacific Overtures, The Baker’s Wife (both shows’ dance music), Big River (music supervision, Drama Desk Award winner).
Danny orchestrated the animated features Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Pocahontas – where he also conducted the score – and wrote and conducted the scores to Disney’s The Little Mermaid 2 and Lady and The Tramp 2.
On Broadway, he orchestrated the award-winning revivals of How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying and The Pajama Game. He received a second Drama Desk Award for Cinderella in 2011. He orchestrated Dr. Zhivago in Australia in 2014, and more recently Disney’s Hercules and Jeanine Tesori’s Soft Power.
Darrel Maloney
VIDEO AND PROJECTION DESIGNER
Darrel Maloney is an award winning video and projection designer who has designed for theatre, broadcast, concerts, opera, museums, exhibitions and film.
Broadway credits include The Cher Show, American Idiot, On Your Feet, Allegiance, The Parisian Woman, A Night with Janis Joplin, Everyday Rapture, and The Illusionists.
Off-Broadway credits include Found (Atlantic Theater, Drama Desk Nomination), Checkers (Vineyard Theater, Drama Desk Nomination), Tappin’ Thru Life (Drama Desk Nomination), The Babylon Line (Lincoln Center Theater), Joan of Arc: Into The Fire (Public Theater), Pretty Filthy (Civilans), Kung Fu, Golden Child (Signature Theatre), The Village Bike, The Submission (MTC), Kansas City Choir Boy (Prototype, A.R.T., Kirk Douglas Theater) and Karen O’s Stop the Virgens (St Anne’s Warehouse, Sydney Opera).
Select other designs include: WARHOLCAPOTE (A.R.T.), Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Surf (Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas), Sadko (Vlaamse Opera, Ghent) and The Summer King (Pittsburg Opera).
He has designed for many Regional theatres including The Old Globe, Ahmanson/CTG, Minnesota Opera, La Jolla Playhouse, Kansas City Rep, 5th Avenue Theater.
Darrel’s design & production company “d13” has also provided the performance and virtual set content for The Tony Awards for the past several years as well as the titles sequence and post-production for the filmed version of Allegiance on Broadway.
David H. Lawrence
HAIR & MAKE-UP DESIGNER
David is happy to be working on this monumental new production of Disney’s Beauty and The Beast. Working with all of the members of the original creative team from the first Broadway production has been a great honour. David’s work has been seen all over the world thanks to Beauty and The Beast.
On Broadway David has designed many shows including: Baby Its You, Company (Revival), Anything Goes, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, She Loves Me, Guys and Dolls (CLAIROL award for Outstanding Hair Design on Broadway), Tommy, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The King and I, Moliere Comedies, Night of The Iguana, On The Waterfront, Wait Until Dark, On The Town, Grease, Death of a Salesman (NY/LA and Showtime), Bells are Ringing, 42nd Street (NY, Germany, US Tour), The Full Monty (NY and Tour), Maurice Hines’ Guys and Dolls (Tour), The Crucible, Some Like it Hot starring Tony Curtis (Tour), Dance of the Vampires, All Shook Up (NY and Tour), and Souvenir.
Off-Broadway his work has been seen in: Mimi Le Duck (New World Stages), Indian Blood (Primary Stages), The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, Dinah Was, Twelfth Night, and A Dybbuk (NYSF), Jeffrey, and Picasso at the Lapin Agile (NYC and Tour).
Other credits include Chicago (2nd Tour) and Elaborate Lives: The Legend of Aida (Alliance Theater), Bounce (Goodman Theatre and Kennedy Center).
David also designed the hair for two seasons of Saturday Night Live (Emmy Nomination), and the films; What Ever Happened to Baby Jane (ABC), The James Brady Story (HBO).
He was the winner of the 1994 outstanding achievement award from Theatre Crafts International for work on Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. He was happy to be have been asked to work on the Shanghai Disney’s production of Beauty and The Beast as well.
In honour of the late, great Paul Huntley. Without his mentorship, I would not be here.
Jim Steinmeyer
ILLUSION DESIGNER
Jim Steinmeyer was called by The New York Times the “celebrated ‘invisible man’— inventor, designer, and creative brain behind many of the great stage magicians.”
His illusions have been featured by Doug Henning, Siegfried and Roy, David Copperfield, Ricky Jay, and many others.
He created the special illusions for Beauty and the Beast, Into the Woods, Mary Poppins, Aladdin, and many other shows. He is also the author of books on the history and art of magic.
David Chase
DANCE MUSIC ARRANGEMENTS
David has been Music Director, Music Supervisor and/or Dance Arranger for nearly 40 Broadway productions over the last 27 years. He has two Emmy Award® nominations for Music Direction for NBC’s live telecasts of The Sound of Music and Peter Pan, and a GRAMMY® nomination for co-producing the Broadway cast album of Nice Work if You Can Get It.
UK-specific productions include arrangements and dance music for Michael Grandage and Rob Ashford’s Guys and Dolls at the Piccadilly and Evita at the Adelphi, and Damsel in Distress at the Chichester Festival, as well as the current West End productions of Frozen, Anything Goes and Back to the Future.
Beyond the theatre, David has written multiple arrangements and orchestrations for the Boston Pops and Tanglewood Festival Chorus (including their signature “Twelve Days of Christmas”), the BBC Concert Orchestra (“Desert Island Hits”), the Kennedy Center Honors, Essential Voices USA , and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
Television includes conducting, arranging and orchestrating for various shows including The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Schmigadoon.
Other conducting includes numerous film scores as well as productions of Carousel, The King and I and My Fair Lady at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
His choral arrangements are published by Hal Leonard, including a collection of folk songs called Appalachian Stories and, debuting this summer, a song-cycle entitled Washington Women, celebrating the inspiring speeches and writings of women of all political stripes who have made a positive impact on American history.
David lives in New York City with his wife (and Drama Desk nominee) Paula Leggett Chase and their two sons.
Christoph Buskies
ELECTRONIC MUSIC PROGRAMMING
Christoph’s revolutionary music system KeyComp has been successfully implemented worldwide in The Lion King, Frozen, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Sister Act and Beauty and the Beast.
Rick Sordelet
FIGHT DIRECTOR
Rick has served as the USA’s most prolific fight director for over 28 years. He and his son, Christian, created Sordelet Inc., an action-based movement company providing stunt coordination, fight direction, weapons rental and intimacy consulting for film, television, opera, ballet and theatre.
Beauty and the Beast was Rick’s first Broadway show. He is thrilled to be working with members of the original team who brought you this excellent production two decades ago. He has been the Fight Director for most of Disney’s shows in the USA and worldwide including The Lion King, Aida, Tarzan and The Little Mermaid. These shows add to over 80 shows on Broadway, most recently Take Me Out and Tina – the Tina Turner Musical. In Autumn 2021 Rick and Christian will be working on Paradise Square, opening in Chicago then on Broadway in 2022. They are the resident Fight Directors for the Santa Fe Opera where they staged the fights for As You Like It and Eugene Onegin.
Rick and Christian are also stunt coordinators for television and film, including 12 years with Guiding Light, four years with One Life to Live, both seasons of Kevin Can Wait and The Crew. Their most recent film is Ben is Back starring Julia Roberts, and in 2021 they will stunt coordinate the film One True Loves starring Simu Liu, Phillippa Soo and Luke Bracey, and directed by Andy Fickman.
Rick taught at Yale School of Drama for 22 years and as well as NYU, Rutgers University, Kean University, Montclair State and The William Esper Studio. From Fight Direction and teaching, Rick developed into a writer, selling several screenplays and a television series. He is also a produced playwright.
He and his partner, David Blixt run an E-Publishing Company called SordeletINK. His play MIIGWICH the thank you play was recently featured on Marshall Jones’ Stream On viewing platform, seen worldwide.
Lorenzo Pisoni
PHYSICAL MOVEMENT COORDINATOR
West End: Mary Poppins.
Broadway: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?; Gary; Beetlejuice; Disney’s Frozen; Noises Off.
Off Broadway: Mac Beth; All the Fine Boys; Harlequin Studies.
Other select performing credits: Pickle Family Circus; Cirque Du Soleil. As an actor, Lorenzo’s work on and off-Broadway has been recognized with Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Obie and Outer Critics Circle Awards.
Sam Scalamoni
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Sam has been the Associate Director of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast for the past 20 years on Broadway and worldwide. He is the director of the critically acclaimed US national tours of Elf the Musical which has had 13 companies across seven years playing The Theatre at Madison Square Garden and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Sam developed and directed The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Musical which tours the US, and the world premiere national tour of the new musical Noël with book by best-selling author of the Artemis Fowl book series, Eoin Colfer. He is currently developing a new musical, A Thousand Faces, based on the life of film legend Lon Chaney, the musical Unbelievable, about American baseball legend Jackie Mitchell, and a stage adaptation of the MGM musical Summer Stock.
Sam directed Les Misérables at Cortland Repertory Theatre, winning the SALT Award for Best Director of a Musical along with Best Musical of the Year. He also won the Broadway World Award for Best Director of a Play for his direction of Agatha Christie’s An Unexpected Guest also at CRT.
Other national tours directed; Nickelodeon’s Storytime Live! Which broke box office records at Radio City Music Hall and The Gazillion Bubble Show.
Sam’s direction of original works include the two original incarnations of Alan Menken’s Broadway musical Leap of Faith in workshop, the original developmental workshop of Mulan Jr. for Disney Theatrical Productions, a workshop presentation of Sense and Sensibility at Playwrights Horizons, workshops of the musical At the Back of the North Wind at the National Arts Club and The Village Theatre, a workshop of The New Picasso at New World Stages, Treaty 321! at the Lucille Lortel, and Fidelity Futurestage at New World Stages for Richard Frankel Productions.
He is a founding member and currently serves as the Artistic Director of Skyline Theatre Company, a professional non-profit theatre company in New Jersey.
Chandon Jones
ASSOCIATE CHOREOGRAPHER
Chandon is based in Washington, D.C. and received her BFA in Music Theatre from Elon University in North Carolina. Chandon has worked on Disney’s Beauty and the Beast around the world with companies including the North American tour (USA and Canada), Shanghai, China and the most recent International tour.
As a performer, Chandon appeared in the North American tours of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Elf the Musical, Singin’ in the Rain at The Gateway Playhouse and High School Musical 2 at The North Carolina Theatre.
Most recently, Chandon worked as the associate choreographer on Vanity Fair (Shakespeare Theatre Company) and Elf the Musical (USA Tour). Chandon’s additional choreographic work includes Theatreworks USA’s Off Broadway production of Bunnicula! (associate choreographer), Skyline Theatre Company’s productions of Cabaret, Funny Girl and Dreamgirls (choreographer), Cornell University’s 150th Charter Day Celebration kicking off with a “Big Red Birthday Bash”(choreographer/director) and Tisch University’s 50th Anniversary Gala at The Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC (co-choreographer).
Linda Woolverton
BOOKWRITER
Linda Woolverton launched her career as a writer with two young adult novels before she began writing Saturday morning animated television shows. That eventually led her to writing her first animated feature, Disney’s Beauty And The Beast. Upon its release in 1991, the film won the Golden Globe for the Best Comedy/Musical and became the first animated film to be nominated by for a Best Picture Academy Award.
Woolverton then wrote the screenplay for The Lion King animated feature for which she shares screenplay credit. She then rewrote the script for Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey as well as contributing to the animated feature Mulan.
She went on to adapt the script of Beauty and the Beast for the Broadway stage and received the Tony Award nomination for Best Book of a Musical in 1994. Woolverton was also awarded the Laurence Olivier Award for Beauty and the Beast for Best New Musical in the UK. Beauty and the Beast ran in New York between 1994 and 2007, becoming the sixth longest running show in Broadway history.
Woolverton also wrote the Book for Elton John and Tim Rice’s Musical Aida which ran for five years at the Palace Theatre.
In 2008, Linda received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Writers Guild of America-Animation Writers Caucus for her longtime work in the field of animation.
Woolverton’s script for Alice In Wonderland directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp, was released in March of 2010. The film grossed over one billion dollars worldwide and she became the first female screenwriter with a sole credit on a billion-dollar film.
Woolverton went on to write the screenplay for Disney’s Maleficent starring Angelina Jolie. The film was released in May of 2014 and became a worldwide success. Woolverton wrote the sequel to Alice in Wonderland: “Through the Looking Glass” and shares a credit on the Maleficent sequel: “Mistress of All Evil”. She also wrote the screenplay for an animated musical fantasy for Skydance Media.
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Alan Menken
COMPOSER
Alan Menken’s music, songs and scores have become an integral part of the fabric of our lives since his first works were produced nearly 40 years ago.
His stage musicals include God Bless You Mr. Rosewater, Atina: Evil Queen of the Galaxy, Real Life Funnies, Little Shop of Horrors, Kicks, The Dream on Royal Street, Beauty and The Beast, A Christmas Carol, Weird Romance, King David, The Little Mermaid, Sister Act, Leap of Faith, Newsies, Aladdin, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz , A Bronx Tale and Hercules.
Song and score credits for film musicals include The Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast (Animated), Newsies, Aladdin (Animated), Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, The Shaggy Dog, Home on the Range, Enchanted, Tangled, Mirror Mirror and Beauty and the Beast (Live Action), Howard and Aladdin (Live Action).
Individual songs for film include Rocky V – “The Measure of a Man”, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York – “My Christmas Tree”, Life With Mikey – “Cold Enough to Snow”, Noel – “Winter Light”, Captain America: First Avenger – “Star Spangled Man” and Sausage Party – “The Great Beyond”.
Television credits include writing songs for Sesame Street, the ABC mini-series Lincoln, a musical episode of The Neighbors, the ABC series Galavant and the Disney Channel’s Tangled: The Series.
His chart-topping songs have included “Beauty and the Beast”, “A Whole New World”, “Colors of the Wind” and “Go the Distance”.
Winner of the 2012 Tony and Drama Desk awards for his score for Newsies, he has won more Academy Awards than any other living individual, including eight Oscars® with 4 for Best Score and 4 for Best Song; 11 Grammy® Awards (including Song of the Year for “A Whole New World”); 7 Golden Globes; a Daytime Emmy® Award; London’s Evening Standard Award; the Olivier Award; 3 Outer Critics Circle Awards and the 2 Drama Desk Awards.
Other notable achievements include induction as a Member (2008) in the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame followed by receiving the lifetime achievement acknowledgement of the Johnny Mercer Award (2017); Billboard’s number one single (“A Whole New World”) and number one album (Pocahontas).
Recent live concert appearances include Hollywood Bowl, Segerstrom Center, Royal Albert Hall, Budokan, Osaka-jo Hall, Maihama Amphitheatre, Tuacahn and Chicago Auditorium.
His Emmy® win elevated him to EGOT status, as the 16th person ever to receive an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award. In 2001 he received the distinction of being named a Disney Legend. Awarded two doctorates in Fine Arts from New York University and the North Carolina School of the Arts. In 2010 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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Howard Ashman
LYRICIST
Best known as the pivotal creative mind behind The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast (which is dedicated to “Our friend, Howard Ashman, who gave a Mermaid her voice and a Beast his soul…”)
Ashman’s first love was theatre. He was a founder of Off Off-Broadway’s renowned WPA Theatre, where he conceived, wrote and directed the classic musical Little Shop of Horrors as well as God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater (both music by Alan Menken). A new cast recording of Rosewater Is available from Sh-K-Boom records. In 1986, Ashman wrote and directed the Broadway musical Smile (music by Marvin Hamlisch). Lamented as a lost treasure of the 1980’s theatre scene, Smile remains popular on high school and college campuses.
Ashman’s family is thrilled that Ashman and Menken’s original songs for Aladdin, some of which were cut in the making of the film — as well as portions of Ashman’s original film treatment — have been reinstated in the theatrical production.
A documentary about Ashman’s life titled HOWARD has received great acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of the man and the artist.
Howard Ashman died in 1991 from complications of AIDS. For more information, please visit howardashman.com.
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Tim Rice
LYRICIST
Tim Rice has worked in music, theatre and films since 1965 when he met Andrew Lloyd Webber, a fellow struggling songwriter. Rather than pursue Tim’s ambitions to write rock or pop songs they turned their attention to Andrew’s obsession – musical theatre. Their first collaboration was based on the life of Dr. Thomas Barnardo, the Victorian philanthropist, The Likes Of Us. Their next three works together were much more successful – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita.
Tim has since worked with other distinguished popular composers such as Elton John (The Lion King, Aida), Alan Menken (Aladdin, King David, Beauty and the Beast), Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (Chess), and Stuart Brayson (From Here To Eternity). He has also written songs with Freddie Mercury, Ennio Morricone, John Barry, Rick Wakeman and Gary Barlow, among many others.
He has recently written and presented 50 weekly podcast chats (entitled Get Onto My Cloud) which are mercifully short (25 mins max) reminiscing about his years in music, theatre and film–playing hits and flops, out-takes and number ones. In 2021 he and Peter Hobbs wrote Gee Seven for the Truro Cathedral Choir to coincide with the G7 economic summit invasion of Cornwall.
Tim founded his own cricket team in 1973, which has now played over 700 matches, and was President of MCC, founded in 1789, in 2002. He was appointed President of the London Library in 2017 in succession to Sir Tom Stoppard. He is a Trustee of Sunderland FC’s Foundation of Light and a Life Vice-President of the schools/cricket charity Chance to Shine. He crops up here and there in all branches of the media drawing on his extensive knowledge of the history of popular music since Elvis was a lad.
He has won several awards, mainly for the wrong thing or for simply turning up.
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Matt West
DIRECTOR & CHOREOGRAPHER
Matt West’s Broadway credits include: Lestat (Palace Theatre) Music by Sir Elton John, Lyrics by Bernie Taupin. Beauty And The Beast (Los Angeles Drama-Logue Award, Olivier, Drama Desk and Outer Critics’ Circle Award nominations). Elaborate Lives (Alliance Theatre) Music by Sir Elton John, Lyrics by Sir Tim Rice.
Off-Broadway credits: Disenchanted, Mimi Le Duck, starring Eartha Kitt.
International credits: Little Shop of Horrors (Buenos Aires), The Wanderer (Tokyo’s Parko Theatre).
Touring credits: Trolls Live! (Director/Choreographer, Cirque du Soleil).
Home Video: The Little Mermaid, Cinderella and Peter Pan (VSDA), The Nutcracker (The Disney Channel).
Disney Live Entertainment: World of Color, Dream Up, Jubilation, Fantasmic!
As an Actor, Matt created the role of Bobby in the film A Chorus Line directed by Sir Richard Attenborough.
Future projects: The Broadway bound wrestling musical Wow!
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Stanley A. Meyer
SCENIC DESIGNER
North American Premieres: From Here to Eternity, FLMTF & Ogunquit Playhouse; Saturday Night Fever, FLMTF; Aida, Alliance Theatre.
Regional: Warhol Capote, A.R.T.; Treasure Island, A New Musical, Arkansas Repertory Theatre; The Three Musketeers, Syracuse Stage; Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Ogunquit Playhouse.
Rock Tours: The Steve Miller Band, Alice Cooper, Cyndi Lauper; Peter Pan’s Neverland Lagoon Spectacular, Universal Studios Japan; Verbolten!, Busch Gardens Williamsburg Roller Coaster; Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, US Tour; Barbie Live!, Southeast Asia Tour; Trolls Live!, US Tour; Disney Live! & Disney on Ice, International Tours.
Awards: The League of American Theatres and Producers, National Broadway Award; LA Dramalogue Awards – The Merry Wives of Windsor, Two Gentlemen of Verona, King Lear, Grove Shakespeare Festival, Southern California. 18 Awards for his designs for The Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena, California. Listed in the Library of Congress for illustrating the book 101 Things I Hate About Your House.
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Ann Hould-Ward
COSTUME DESIGNER
West End/London: The Prince of Egypt; Imagine This; Beauty and the Beast (Olivier nomination); Notes from the Field by Anna Deveare Smith Royal Court); Dear World (Directed by Gillian Lynne).
Berlin: Schuh Des Manitu.
European tour: Ben Hur Live.
New York/Broadway: The Color Purple; The Visit; The People in the Picture; A Free Man of Color (Drama Desk nomination); A Catered Affair (Drama Desk nomination); Company; Dance of the Vampires; Beauty and the Beast (Tony Award®; American Theatre Wing’s Design Award; Ovation Award); Into the Woods (Tony® &Drama Desk nominations; Outer Critics Circle nomination; L.A.Drama Critics Circle Award); Falsettos; Sunday in the Park with George (Tony® & Drama Desk Nominations); Harrigan ‘N’ Heart; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; St. Joan; Three Men on a Horse; Timon of Athens; In the Summer House; Little Me; The Moliere Comedies.
Off-Broadway: over 50 off-Broadway credits including Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish (CSC): Passion (revival). Public: Hamlet; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; House Arrest; Russian Transport; The Blue Flower; Wings; In the Grand Manner; Let Me Down Easy; Road Show; Surviving Grace; Lobster Alice; Cymbeline.
Regional: over 100 credits in USA regional theatres including the Guthrie Theatre, the Old Globe, LaJolla Playhouse and Arena Stage.
Opera: Peter Grimes (Metropolitan Opera); West Side Story (Salzburg Festival); MAHAGONNY (Los Angeles Opera); The Most Happy Fella (NYC Opera).
Circus: Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus (2001 & 2003).
Film: Strike!; Six by Sondheim.
Ballet: Othello (Norwegian National Ballet); Bronze Horseman (Lar Lubovitch – Mikhailovsky Ballet); Othello; Artemis; Meadow (ABT); Reminicin’; Saddle Up; Morning Star (Alvin Ailey–San Francisco Ballet); Graciela Daniele (Ballet Hispanico).
Awards: US Representative for the International DesignQuadrennial in Prague; Recipient of F.I.T.’s Patricia Zipprodt Award.
Serving board member of BIANCA: semiconductor component manufacturing distributor.
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Natasha Katz
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Natasha Katz is thrilled to be returning to Beauty and the Beast with the original creative team! She has designed for theatre, opera, dance, concerts and permanent lighting installations around the world.
Recent West End credits include: An American in Paris, School of Rock, The Glass Menagerie (Olivier nomination 2017), Aladdin, Motown, Skylight, Sister Act, and Once. She is a six-time Tony Award winner and was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame last year.
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Michael Kosarin
MUSIC SUPERVISOR AND ARRANGEMENTS
Michael was music director, conductor, and arranger of the Broadway production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in 1994, and has collaborated as such with composer Alan Menken ever since. He’s worked steadily on Broadway since 1982, on the original productions of such shows as Nine; Grand Hotel; Secret Garden; King David; Mayor; A Chorus Line; Triumph of Love; Little Shop of Horrors; The Little Mermaid; Leap of Faith; Sister Act; Newsies and Aladdin, as well as on The Hunchback of Notre Dame and the recent stage adaptation of Hercules. His vast motion picture work includes Pocahontas; Hercules; Enchanted; Tangled; Ralph Breaks the Internet and the live-films of Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin; and he is currently at work on Enchanted’s sequel (Disenchanted), as well as Skydance Animation’s Spellbound.
An Emmy-award-winning television music producer and arranger, he worked for both seasons on the musical series Galavant, and has also composed songs and scores for children’s shows Sesame Street, the BBC’s Third and Bird, and The Wonder Pets, among others.
In the recording world, Michael is a three-time Grammy-nominated recording artist and producer, where his work ranges from dozens of theatre albums and motion picture soundtracks to concert recordings of the legendary Barbara Cook. He also maintains an active concert career ranging from cabaret to symphony orchestras and pop concerts, and has conducted Disney films live to picture in venues ranging from the Hollywood Bowl to Tokyo’s Budokan.
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John Shivers
SOUND DESIGNER
John Shiver’s credits include: Pretty Woman, Beauty and the Beast 25 (Shanghai), Cirque du Soleil’s Paramour, Kinky Boots (2013 Tony Award recipient), Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway, Bonnie & Clyde, Sister Act, 9 to 5, The Little Mermaid, Tarzan and Billy Crystal’s 700 Sundays.
International credits: Spirit of Life, The Secret, Tarzan, Das Wunder Von Bern, The Lion King (Shanghai and Singapore)
Regional credits: Becoming Nancy, 42nd St., Rock of Ages, The Heart of Rock and Roll, Moonshine, Harmony, The Nutty Professor, Tales of the City, Emma, Robin and the 7 Hoods.
Other credits: Savion Glover, Burt Bacharach, Gregory Hines and engineering at Electric Lady Studios.
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Rob Roth
PRODUCTION CONCEPTION
Rob Roth was nominated for a Tony Award® as Best Director for his Broadway debut, Beauty and the Beast. Rob went on to direct the show all over the world, where it has won many awards, including the Olivier Award for Best Musical in London. Rob went on to direct the world premiere of Elaborate Lives: The Legend of Aida, collaborating with Sir Elton John and Sir Tim Rice. Rob directed the Broadway musical Lestat, based on the Anne Rice Vampire Chronicles with a score by Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
Rob frequently directs rock concerts, and has worked with such artists as KISS, Alice Cooper, Dresden Dolls, Cyndi Lauper, and guitar legend Steve Miller. Rob’s concert productions have played at the most prestigious venues around the world, including Madison Square Garden, Radio City Musical Hall, Royal Albert Hall and the LA Forum.
Rob’s first play as an author, WARHOLCAPOTE, debuted at American Repertory Theatre, and will be published in hardcover by Simon & Schuster. Rob is an avid collector of rock and roll graphics, and his collection is the subject of the coffee table book The Art of Classic Rock.
Rob and his husband Patrick live in New York City with their labrador retriever Tag.
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Danny Troob
ORCHESTRATOR
Danny’s career as a musician includes composing, orchestrating and conducting. Some early credits include Pacific Overtures, The Baker’s Wife (both shows’ dance music), Big River (music supervision, Drama Desk Award winner).
Danny orchestrated the animated features Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Pocahontas – where he also conducted the score – and wrote and conducted the scores to Disney’s The Little Mermaid 2 and Lady and The Tramp 2.
On Broadway, he orchestrated the award-winning revivals of How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying and The Pajama Game. He received a second Drama Desk Award for Cinderella in 2011. He orchestrated Dr. Zhivago in Australia in 2014, and more recently Disney’s Hercules and Jeanine Tesori’s Soft Power.
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Darrel Maloney
VIDEO AND PROJECTION DESIGNER
Darrel Maloney is an award winning video and projection designer who has designed for theatre, broadcast, concerts, opera, museums, exhibitions and film.
Broadway credits include The Cher Show, American Idiot, On Your Feet, Allegiance, The Parisian Woman, A Night with Janis Joplin, Everyday Rapture, and The Illusionists.
Off-Broadway credits include Found (Atlantic Theater, Drama Desk Nomination), Checkers (Vineyard Theater, Drama Desk Nomination), Tappin’ Thru Life (Drama Desk Nomination), The Babylon Line (Lincoln Center Theater), Joan of Arc: Into The Fire (Public Theater), Pretty Filthy (Civilans), Kung Fu, Golden Child (Signature Theatre), The Village Bike, The Submission (MTC), Kansas City Choir Boy (Prototype, A.R.T., Kirk Douglas Theater) and Karen O’s Stop the Virgens (St Anne’s Warehouse, Sydney Opera).
Select other designs include: WARHOLCAPOTE (A.R.T.), Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Surf (Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas), Sadko (Vlaamse Opera, Ghent) and The Summer King (Pittsburg Opera).
He has designed for many Regional theatres including The Old Globe, Ahmanson/CTG, Minnesota Opera, La Jolla Playhouse, Kansas City Rep, 5th Avenue Theater.
Darrel’s design & production company “d13” has also provided the performance and virtual set content for The Tony Awards for the past several years as well as the titles sequence and post-production for the filmed version of Allegiance on Broadway.
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David H. Lawrence
HAIR & MAKE-UP DESIGNER
David is happy to be working on this monumental new production of Disney’s Beauty and The Beast. Working with all of the members of the original creative team from the first Broadway production has been a great honour. David’s work has been seen all over the world thanks to Beauty and The Beast.
On Broadway David has designed many shows including: Baby Its You, Company (Revival), Anything Goes, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, She Loves Me, Guys and Dolls (CLAIROL award for Outstanding Hair Design on Broadway), Tommy, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The King and I, Moliere Comedies, Night of The Iguana, On The Waterfront, Wait Until Dark, On The Town, Grease, Death of a Salesman (NY/LA and Showtime), Bells are Ringing, 42nd Street (NY, Germany, US Tour), The Full Monty (NY and Tour), Maurice Hines’ Guys and Dolls (Tour), The Crucible, Some Like it Hot starring Tony Curtis (Tour), Dance of the Vampires, All Shook Up (NY and Tour), and Souvenir.
Off-Broadway his work has been seen in: Mimi Le Duck (New World Stages), Indian Blood (Primary Stages), The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, Dinah Was, Twelfth Night, and A Dybbuk (NYSF), Jeffrey, and Picasso at the Lapin Agile (NYC and Tour).
Other credits include Chicago (2nd Tour) and Elaborate Lives: The Legend of Aida (Alliance Theater), Bounce (Goodman Theatre and Kennedy Center).
David also designed the hair for two seasons of Saturday Night Live (Emmy Nomination), and the films; What Ever Happened to Baby Jane (ABC), The James Brady Story (HBO).
He was the winner of the 1994 outstanding achievement award from Theatre Crafts International for work on Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. He was happy to be have been asked to work on the Shanghai Disney’s production of Beauty and The Beast as well.
In honour of the late, great Paul Huntley. Without his mentorship, I would not be here.
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Jim Steinmeyer
ILLUSION DESIGNER
Jim Steinmeyer was called by The New York Times the “celebrated ‘invisible man’— inventor, designer, and creative brain behind many of the great stage magicians.”
His illusions have been featured by Doug Henning, Siegfried and Roy, David Copperfield, Ricky Jay, and many others.
He created the special illusions for Beauty and the Beast, Into the Woods, Mary Poppins, Aladdin, and many other shows. He is also the author of books on the history and art of magic.
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David Chase
DANCE MUSIC ARRANGEMENTS
David has been Music Director, Music Supervisor and/or Dance Arranger for nearly 40 Broadway productions over the last 27 years. He has two Emmy Award® nominations for Music Direction for NBC’s live telecasts of The Sound of Music and Peter Pan, and a GRAMMY® nomination for co-producing the Broadway cast album of Nice Work if You Can Get It.
UK-specific productions include arrangements and dance music for Michael Grandage and Rob Ashford’s Guys and Dolls at the Piccadilly and Evita at the Adelphi, and Damsel in Distress at the Chichester Festival, as well as the current West End productions of Frozen, Anything Goes and Back to the Future.
Beyond the theatre, David has written multiple arrangements and orchestrations for the Boston Pops and Tanglewood Festival Chorus (including their signature “Twelve Days of Christmas”), the BBC Concert Orchestra (“Desert Island Hits”), the Kennedy Center Honors, Essential Voices USA , and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
Television includes conducting, arranging and orchestrating for various shows including The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Schmigadoon.
Other conducting includes numerous film scores as well as productions of Carousel, The King and I and My Fair Lady at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
His choral arrangements are published by Hal Leonard, including a collection of folk songs called Appalachian Stories and, debuting this summer, a song-cycle entitled Washington Women, celebrating the inspiring speeches and writings of women of all political stripes who have made a positive impact on American history.
David lives in New York City with his wife (and Drama Desk nominee) Paula Leggett Chase and their two sons.
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Christoph Buskies
ELECTRONIC MUSIC PROGRAMMING
Christoph’s revolutionary music system KeyComp has been successfully implemented worldwide in The Lion King, Frozen, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Sister Act and Beauty and the Beast.
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Rick Sordelet
FIGHT DIRECTOR
Rick has served as the USA’s most prolific fight director for over 28 years. He and his son, Christian, created Sordelet Inc., an action-based movement company providing stunt coordination, fight direction, weapons rental and intimacy consulting for film, television, opera, ballet and theatre.
Beauty and the Beast was Rick’s first Broadway show. He is thrilled to be working with members of the original team who brought you this excellent production two decades ago. He has been the Fight Director for most of Disney’s shows in the USA and worldwide including The Lion King, Aida, Tarzan and The Little Mermaid. These shows add to over 80 shows on Broadway, most recently Take Me Out and Tina – the Tina Turner Musical. In Autumn 2021 Rick and Christian will be working on Paradise Square, opening in Chicago then on Broadway in 2022. They are the resident Fight Directors for the Santa Fe Opera where they staged the fights for As You Like It and Eugene Onegin.
Rick and Christian are also stunt coordinators for television and film, including 12 years with Guiding Light, four years with One Life to Live, both seasons of Kevin Can Wait and The Crew. Their most recent film is Ben is Back starring Julia Roberts, and in 2021 they will stunt coordinate the film One True Loves starring Simu Liu, Phillippa Soo and Luke Bracey, and directed by Andy Fickman.
Rick taught at Yale School of Drama for 22 years and as well as NYU, Rutgers University, Kean University, Montclair State and The William Esper Studio. From Fight Direction and teaching, Rick developed into a writer, selling several screenplays and a television series. He is also a produced playwright.
He and his partner, David Blixt run an E-Publishing Company called SordeletINK. His play MIIGWICH the thank you play was recently featured on Marshall Jones’ Stream On viewing platform, seen worldwide.
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Lorenzo Pisoni
PHYSICAL MOVEMENT COORDINATOR
West End: Mary Poppins.
Broadway: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?; Gary; Beetlejuice; Disney’s Frozen; Noises Off.
Off Broadway: Mac Beth; All the Fine Boys; Harlequin Studies.
Other select performing credits: Pickle Family Circus; Cirque Du Soleil. As an actor, Lorenzo’s work on and off-Broadway has been recognized with Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Obie and Outer Critics Circle Awards.
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Sam Scalamoni
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Sam has been the Associate Director of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast for the past 20 years on Broadway and worldwide. He is the director of the critically acclaimed US national tours of Elf the Musical which has had 13 companies across seven years playing The Theatre at Madison Square Garden and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Sam developed and directed The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Musical which tours the US, and the world premiere national tour of the new musical Noël with book by best-selling author of the Artemis Fowl book series, Eoin Colfer. He is currently developing a new musical, A Thousand Faces, based on the life of film legend Lon Chaney, the musical Unbelievable, about American baseball legend Jackie Mitchell, and a stage adaptation of the MGM musical Summer Stock.
Sam directed Les Misérables at Cortland Repertory Theatre, winning the SALT Award for Best Director of a Musical along with Best Musical of the Year. He also won the Broadway World Award for Best Director of a Play for his direction of Agatha Christie’s An Unexpected Guest also at CRT.
Other national tours directed; Nickelodeon’s Storytime Live! Which broke box office records at Radio City Music Hall and The Gazillion Bubble Show.
Sam’s direction of original works include the two original incarnations of Alan Menken’s Broadway musical Leap of Faith in workshop, the original developmental workshop of Mulan Jr. for Disney Theatrical Productions, a workshop presentation of Sense and Sensibility at Playwrights Horizons, workshops of the musical At the Back of the North Wind at the National Arts Club and The Village Theatre, a workshop of The New Picasso at New World Stages, Treaty 321! at the Lucille Lortel, and Fidelity Futurestage at New World Stages for Richard Frankel Productions.
He is a founding member and currently serves as the Artistic Director of Skyline Theatre Company, a professional non-profit theatre company in New Jersey.
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Chandon Jones
ASSOCIATE CHOREOGRAPHER
Chandon is based in Washington, D.C. and received her BFA in Music Theatre from Elon University in North Carolina. Chandon has worked on Disney’s Beauty and the Beast around the world with companies including the North American tour (USA and Canada), Shanghai, China and the most recent International tour.
As a performer, Chandon appeared in the North American tours of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Elf the Musical, Singin’ in the Rain at The Gateway Playhouse and High School Musical 2 at The North Carolina Theatre.
Most recently, Chandon worked as the associate choreographer on Vanity Fair (Shakespeare Theatre Company) and Elf the Musical (USA Tour). Chandon’s additional choreographic work includes Theatreworks USA’s Off Broadway production of Bunnicula! (associate choreographer), Skyline Theatre Company’s productions of Cabaret, Funny Girl and Dreamgirls (choreographer), Cornell University’s 150th Charter Day Celebration kicking off with a “Big Red Birthday Bash”(choreographer/director) and Tisch University’s 50th Anniversary Gala at The Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC (co-choreographer).
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