A few days ago, Just for Laughs announced the production of the musical Beauty and the Beast. Today, big reveal. Audrey-Louise Beauséjour and Jason Roy Léveillée will play the title roles.
In an interview with the Montreal newspaper, the one who won the hearts of the public during her visit to Star Academy 2022 is confident. “Since the start of my career, I have often been criticized for being too clean, for being too princess-like. Finally, it’s useful to me today,” says Audrey-Louise Beauséjour, laughing.
The singer will therefore don Belle’s famous yellow dress next summer, as part of the very first Quebec version of the classic musical. And it promises a more fleshed-out vision of the Disney character. Original songs, written especially for the show, will give it more depth.
“We understand more her desire for emancipation, her desires… In the animated film, she does not have a solo song. But in the show, she has several. I think people will discover a new Belle,” she says.
Audrey-Louise’s story with Disney is not new. She lent her voice to The Little Mermaid in 2022 during the adaptation with Halle Bailey.
The plot remains the same as in the well-known film.
The musical will therefore follow Belle, an independent and curious young woman whose life is turned upside down when she finds herself prisoner in a mysterious castle. There she discovers the Beast, a prince condemned to live under this appearance after being struck by a terrible spell.
To regain his human appearance, the Beast will have to learn to love, but also to let himself be loved. And time is running out: if the spell is not broken before the last petal of the rose falls, he could well remain a Beast forever.
This Quebec production of Beauty and the Beast will bring together the director Hugo Bélanger (Boulevard Perusse), musical director David Terriault (Les Miserables) and choreographer Alex Francoeur (Revolution), in addition to 25 artists and an orchestra of 11 musicians. Full cast will be announced soon.
- The musical Beauty and the Beast will be presented at the St-Denis Theater in Montreal from June 29 to July 10, then at the Grand Théâtre de Québec from August 13 to 21. For all dates and details: labelleetlabete.com
