"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. "
I've seen Steve do the role numerous times and found him to be very good the first time (in 2002), but he got progressively each time. His performance the last time I saw him, opposite Ashley Brown (who was magnificent) was laughable. He certainly was phoning it in.
And no, I don't dislike Beauty and the Beast at all. I enjoy it for what it is.
I've seen him twice now.
Yes, he's been doing it for so long now, but...
The average theater goer thinks he's amazing... and I actually do too.
He sings the hell out of "If I can't love her."
Broadway Star Joined: 10/14/06
I saw him this summer and he was AMAZING!!!!! I can't believe anyone would question his talent. I'd like to see you do better.
Broadway Star Joined: 9/8/04
>>>That said,, isn't anyone else grossed out that he is like 48 and often times playing opposite a 20 year old girl? Barf! <<<
That gave me a good chuckle, which I've been needing.
If he really isn't putting forth the effort, he shouldn't be there. It cheats the audience.
"I can't believe anyone would question his talent. I'd like to see you do better."
I don't need to do better. I'm not getting paid to do what he does.
"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?" "
Hey the prince in the movie was ugly. I thought that they should have changed him back to the beast.
Broadway Star Joined: 10/14/06
he's perfectly fine-looking, as is the movie one. you guys seriously need to grow up.
No he's not...as has been mentioned elsewhere in the thread, he's old enough to be some of these Belle's fathers.
Broadway Star Joined: 8/9/04
Let's not forget that it is incredibly expensive to costume and wig the Broadway Beast, so keeping Blanchard in the role is cheaper for Disney than hiring someone new and building all new stuff.
When Steve came out with Ashley at the end for the finale, she said, "This is almost pedophelia."
I wonder what she would think of "Phantom of the Opera", then?
Stand-by Joined: 10/21/06
I saw "Beauty and the Beast" twice within a six month span back in 2004. The first time, I saw a Beast understudy who was excellent. And it didn't look weird when he changed back because the actor and Megan McGinnis (Belle) were about the same age. The next time, I saw Steve Blanchard and compared to the guy I saw six months prior, he was not that good. And when he became the prince, next to Christy Carlson Romano...my friends and I had an "eww" reaction rather than the "aww" one I'm sure the scene is supposed to have.
How old is that new Belle coming in?
That IT'S SO RAVEN GIRL with the DUI?
Leading Actor Joined: 1/26/06
I believe she is.
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