Steven Blanchard of Beauty and The Beast

Posted: 6/23/06 at 11:31am

This man has been playing role for so many years
He must in enjoy it alot.
I mean in times where stars leave after only 9 months to a year
I think thats kind of nice he's stayed for such a long time.
I know he was the Beast when I saw the show back in 2000.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 11:32am

It's nice that he has the dedication to stay with the show for 56 years, but he's awful in the role now. He phones in every performance.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 11:33am

He probably likes actually having a job more than he actually likes the roles.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 11:33am

A lot of people on this board don't seem to like him now. I saw him back in 2004 and thought he was perfectly fine. He made me like the song "If I Can't Love Her."

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 11:35am

He must be doing something right if the powers that be continue to re-sign him. Haven't seen him in awhile, but Munk, you're not the only one I heard saying he's phoning it in.

Posted: 6/23/06 at 11:36am

I loved him in 2000.
He sang the crap out of If I Cant Love Her.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 11:40am

Now, clumsy, he doesn't sing anything. He speaks through everything at a very quick tempo to get through the show as quickly as possible.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 12:05pm

>> Dottie "He must be doing something right if the powers that be continue to re-sign him."

Um yea, he works for NOTHING~! That's why he is there, and I heard it from the horse's mouth. To his defense, maybe he enjoys the Disney benefits. He is the biggest joke at DTP (well up until Tarzan, and before that it was King David), if they had any respect for him they would let him go.

That said,, isn't anyone else grossed out that he is like 48 and often times playing opposite a 20 year old girl? Barf! The big reason Beast has never been stunt-casted is because of the Mask. Orignally Donnie Osmond was considered for that. Well years ago actually. There have been many HOT boys playing Beast on tour and abroad. It's a shame they wont experiment with it here. They could have had Nick and Jessica before they hit it big on MTV.

Posted: 6/23/06 at 12:07pm

munkustrap178- you really dislike this guy don't you.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 12:08pm

he phoned in the performance i saw in January

Posted: 6/23/06 at 12:09pm

I'm sorry. What does "phoned in" mean?

[SirLiir]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 12:18pm

He is still playing the Beast??? Wow, I saw him back in October 2004!

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 12:30pm

umm... to use language of some posters on this board, he doesnt just play the beast, he is a BEAST!

[trpguyy]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 12:38pm

I saw him in the role a few years ago, and wasn't that impressed. And when he came out as the Prince in the end, the woman I was with said "we're supposed to think he's the "handsome prince?"

But in his defense, ALL of the tempos were extremely fast, not just his songs. Maybe the conductor left her stove on and wanted to get home quickly.

Posted: 6/23/06 at 12:39pm

I ask once more- What does "phoned in" mean?

[trpguyy]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 12:43pm

To "phone in" a performance means that the actor wasn't really putting forth much effort...was just going through the motions.

Posted: 6/23/06 at 12:45pm

Oh. Thats odd. Hmmm. I learned something new today.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 1:18pm

He was phoning it in 5 years ago -- barely sung anything, and faked his way through it. I can't imagine what he's like now.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 1:23pm

Beauty has definetly gone pretty much animatronic. Celebrity Belle is usually trying to convince us she is a triple threat meanwhile the entire ensemble looks miffed and bored.

[dididda]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 1:23pm

grrr. i hated him when i sayw it in 05. bad memories.

ps- when did ashley leave, i missed that?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 1:25pm

i think her last show was May 28th

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 1:30pm

Clumsy--

To "phone in" a performance is to just go through the motions without really being into it, when it's already so ingrained into your mind and body that you just kinda go on "autopilot." It is a common complaint that Broadway performers will do this during a long run. First-time audience members usually won't know the difference, but those who have seen the show before can tell that the performer isn't giving it their all.

Posted: 6/23/06 at 1:39pm

That was more detailed than the 1st post.
Thats kinda sad, if thats the case, the audience is kind of being cheated out of a full on show.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 1:48pm

Absolutely. The first time I witnessed a performer "phoning it in" was Faith Prince towards the end of her run in Guys and Dolls. I went with a friend of mine, and at the end of Act 1 we both looked at each other and said, "WTF".

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 1:58pm

I saw him go on as a standby in 1996. Thats right, 1996!

Anyway, I saw him again in 2000, and he was great both times.