Question Re Beauty and the Beast

[TBone]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 3:43pm

I saw "Beauty and the Beast" last night (my first time since it being my very first Bway show 11 years ago) and I have a question regarding the cast list. In the playbill it lists Cogsworth as being played by both Bill Nabel and Billy Vitelli and next to both of their names it says "understudy, certain performances." I've never seen this done before, and was just curious as to why it's listed that way. Is there no "regular" actor to do the role? Or could it be possible that the "regular" is out on some kind of leave and they just decided to list it that way? Anyone know?

[misto625]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 4:45pm

Christopher Duva, the regular Cogsworth, is doing another show off-Broadway, and so he is not currently performing in Beauty and the Beast. I guess Bill Nabel and Billy Vitelli are splitting the performances until he comes back. They are both wonderful performers

[jess20882]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 4:49pm

took the words right out of my mouth. christopher duva is a wonderful performer, can't wait til he comes back.
but you also can't really go wrong with bill nabel or vitelli - they're both very entertaining.

[TBone]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 6:05pm

Makes sense to me. Thanks guys! Billy Vitelli, who I saw last night, was great. So was Ann Van Cleave as Mrs. Potts - what a gorgeous voice!