Steven Blanchard of Beauty and The Beast- Page 2

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 2:02pm

It's not so much love for the role as love for steady work, something not so common in the industry.

[newsieboy23]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 2:10pm

He has left the show for a few months here and there. Very nice man. I think his Beast is brilliant in the scenes with Belle, especially the "why wont you come to dinner" and the scene where he offers her the library...

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 2:26pm

"Phoned in" performances are definitely a sad thing. I remember when I was in high school and I saw Robert Cuccioli in the OBC of Jekyll and Hyde I was totally blown away. I became a huge fan. Then I saw it again about a year later shortly before he left the show and he obviously couldn't wait for the show to be over so he could go home. It was baaaad.

[TLKfan]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 2:42pm

"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?" "

Have you not seen the movie? He was freakin ugly in the film...guess they don't care what the prince looks like. lol

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 2:51pm

He was really great when I saw the show in 2002, but god, it's ridiculous.

I hate Disney for this, they know people won't care so they just don't try to put on a great show.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 2:57pm

I've had a couple bad experiences with "phoned in" performances...the worst being Brian Stokes Mitchell in Kiss Me Kate. It was truly dreadful. He was visibly bored, rushing the tempos (even the music director seemed to have trouble keeping up), and it was such a disappointment.

What these "stars" don't seem to realize is that most of the time they have one shot to connect with their public. It's not like we can watch the movie version 100 times. We're there, in the theatre, that one night. One bad experience sticks with you forever. I realize maybe he was having a bad night, personally. But if that's the case, his understudy should have gone on. He should not have cheated the public out of seeing a full-bodied performance. Theatre's too expensive, and much too temporary to allow for that. Plus, he's an actor. It's his JOB to give 100% every night. Anything less is unprofessional.

*soapbox moment, sorry!*

Posted: 6/23/06 at 3:01pm

:claps: Bravo, Mother's Younger Brother, Bravo.

[otis33]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 3:05pm

While I agree with you, Mother's Younger Brother - the moment a star puts their understudy on, there is uproar over the fact they're out. It seems like a no win situation. Who knows what's going on in their life - if they go on, and aren't up to what we had hoped, we complain. If the performer decides to take care of themselves and put the understudy on, we complain.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 3:08pm

I find it very hard to believe that anybody could be bored with Kiss Me, Kate, EVER. Especially Stokes, one of my idols. He was probably sick or upset or something, and did not want to deny the audience HIS Tony Award-winning performance.

Otherwise, I totally agree with Mother's Younger Brother.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 3:10pm

Very well said MYB. I'm so surprised to hear that about BSM. That's the first time I've heard that about him (not that I'm doubting you).

[bjh2114]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 6:27pm

Regarding Steve Blanchard, I saw him on May 28th (Ashley Brown's last performance), and he was fantastic. I don't think it's fair for people who simply don't like the fact that the musical is still open to point fingers and state that he is phoning in his performance. He was very good. In fact, most of the production was a lot better than much of the crap open on Broadway now. Steve Blanchard puts his heart and soul into that role and, unless you've seen him recently, it isn't fair to pass judgement on him.
-BJH
Updated On: 6/23/06 at 06:27 PM

Posted: 6/23/06 at 6:37pm

I havent seen Beast since Brooke Tansley was Belle, but I didnt feel he was walking through the part at all. *shrug*

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 6:40pm

The entire show needs to be recast.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 7:01pm

i severely hope he has improved, the video preview is rediculously lopsided- ashley brown is fantastic and both steven and grant seem to be half assing it

[mallardo]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 9:19pm

Blanchard is the hard-hitting center fielder on the BATB softball team - they have to keep him.

[kyguy78]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 9:21pm

To echo a sentiment expressed already, when my wife and I saw the show in April, she summed it up best. When Steve came out with Ashley at the end for the finale, she said, "This is almost pedophelia." I understand that adults have to pay young people quite often, but when you're leading lady is barely drinking age, she shouldn't have to play opposite a handsome young prince who in reality is a middle aged man.

[i<3jerseyboys]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 9:38pm

ive seen the show a couple of times but one time, i think it was like '98 or '97 he wasn't the beast he was gaston,it was when toni braxton was belle

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 10:29pm

he started out as a standby to gaston and the beast as far as i can tell, hell maybe a while back in gaston's boots will put him back on his a game. Although i frankly think they should keep gaston, belle, and the beast in their mid 20's-early 30's or at least looking it

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 10:49pm

I agree with Yankee.

My sister saw it when Tansley was Belle and she said they both were really dreadful - totally below expectations for her first broadway show, particularly vocally.

Apparently, Disney is really political when it comes to casting. I'm working on an equity summer stock gig of BATB right now and the guy playing Maurice (who played Maurice in the third national tour) says that it's really difficult to break into their shows.

[Color and Light]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 11:44pm

I saw BATB back in 2001 with Steven and remember being thoroughly unimpressed. And I was still in 8th grade. Although, I feel sort of bad about the whole experience - I went with my middle school in Delaware, and most of them had never been to a Broadway show before and were pretty terribly behaved. The age difference between Steven and Belle was enough to have a large section of my group shout "EWWWWWWWWWW!" when he stepped out at as the Prince.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 6/24/06 at 12:03am

I see nothing wrong with the age difference. Acting is, after all, make-believe. However, I think they should keep the characters as close to their intended ages as possible. Wasn't the Beast/Prince in the movie barely 21? (I remember the narrator saying he had to get someone to love him back by his 21st year.) It bothers me greatly when characters look older than they should be, e.g. Christine (POTO).

I'm surprised to learn that the Beast/Prince are played by the same actor. I have the OBC recording and under the cast roster they list a different actor for the prince. That made sense to me because you could have a middle-aged character actor playing the beast and a handsome, younger actor as the prince. Also, it would make the transformation easier to execute.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 6/24/06 at 12:23am

"Regarding Steve Blanchard, I saw him on May 28th (Ashley Brown's last performance), and he was fantastic. I don't think it's fair for people who simply don't like the fact that the musical is still open to point fingers and state that he is phoning in his performance. He was very good. In fact, most of the production was a lot better than much of the crap open on Broadway now. Steve Blanchard puts his heart and soul into that role and, unless you've seen him recently, it isn't fair to pass judgement on him.
-BJH"

I do not resent the fact that BATB is still open, in fact, I happen to love this musical. I saw Steve Blanchard recently (6 months ago) and he phoned in his performance. I am just stating a fact.

[LumBabsFan]

Posted: 6/24/06 at 12:30am

"I'm surprised to learn that the Beast/Prince are played by the same actor. I have the OBC recording and under the cast roster they list a different actor for the prince. That made sense to me because you could have a middle-aged character actor playing the beast and a handsome, younger actor as the prince. Also, it would make the transformation easier to execute."

I think you are mistaking the Young Prince in the beginning for the Prologue (who never speaks) with the prince post transformation. Same character of course, but one actor plays him in the beginning when he's supposed to be a selfish spoiled brat, and then the actor playing the Beast does the role at the end after he's aged. Because of this, the transformation is actually MORE amazing. Easy may be easy, but it's not always the best.

Keeping mouth shut about the rest of the thread...actually, nah. I'll put in my two cents. I'm not the biggest Steve Blanchard fan, BUT I've grown on him lately, think he's doing better than he used to in past years. Two cents from a true fan of the show. =)

[Michelleruth2]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 2:46pm

I haven't seen the show for a couple of years, but when I did, I thought Steve was fantastic! I loved both his voice and his performance.

I had the pleasure of meeting him in person backstage at B & B -- and he is a true gentleman. I will always be a fan.

[Moogi]

Posted: 11/6/06 at 2:08pm

I have seen Steve as the Beast at the Lunt Fontanne last April & I thought he was wonderful. His voice was so powerful & expressive! I found his performance very moving. I've had the opportunity to see others in the role & Steve is the best Beast by far. When he sings "If I Can't Love Her", he conveys so much emotion, and he is able to hold that last note for so long! He is an amazing Beast! I'd love to see him in the role again.
Updated On: 11/6/06 at 02:08 PM