Anneliese Van Der Pol

....further proof that a spell check feature is needed.

But no, no clips, yet.

It's "Anneliese Van Der Pol".
And no clips yet...sadly.

http://disney.go.com/theatre/beautyandthebeast/index.html

The homepage for "Beauty and the Beast" has the Beast and Belle, and the Belle in the picture (in the yellow gown) is Anneliese.

How cute does she look in that picture.
Thanks, TWSFan.

=)

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"me thinks craig has something cooked up."

Possibly, mateo.
Possibly.

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Longtime lurker, first time poster... It's annoyed me that no one else has posted about seeing her, so I registered to say that I saw Anneliese van der Pol as Belle this weekend and she was terrific. Despite her theatre background, I didn't know what to expect since I'm skeptical of "name" stars... but she really impressed. You'd never guess it was her first week in the role.

i just watched the video from craig's link...WOW. she has an INCREDIBLE voice (i'm seeing her in BATB in june and am so excited!), and she seems like such a sweet, down to earth girl. she's really well-spoken and smart, too. although i didn't expect any less. but if you haven't watched this video interview yet, you really should

Yea, I just watched the video too and I'm actually impressed. I didn't expect her to be so good, but I think she's pulling it off really well. Her voice is very powerful and I'm glad stunt casting has actually worked (as far as talent goes) in this case. I think (from what I've seen) that she is a good person to close the show with. She also seems like a smart, kind person which is always nice to see in performers off-stage or off-screen.

I've said this before - but I think there needs to be a distinction between STUNT casting and STAR casting. Stunt casting would be a fine term for bringing in someone of a huge magnitude who really is there to sell tickets, but isn't right for the role.

When the celebrity is great and appropriate for a role, has more of theater background (as in this case) and just "happens to be" famous, it's STAR casting.

Whether Anneliese was on TV or not, she's a fiercely talented actress is deserves to be up on that stage. And believe me, she went through a vigorous audition process, just like any other performer. She wasn't handed the role by any stretch.

All that being said - am I the only one that hears an amazing likeness to Judy Garland on that very last clip?

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How long before she's Mary Poppins?

I think she would actually make a good Mary, she has a certain quirky charm that would make a very interesting, and funny Poppins.

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She's got every right to be snooty (even though I didn't see it that way), considering her age and how hard the part is.