A new Belle for Broadway
Posted by NYC_or_Bust 2005-04-30 20:01:51.0

I was thinking about some great new faces for the role of Belle. I know it would be another DISNEY ploy to put in one of their channel stars, but I seriously think that Anneliese van der Pol might work out for the role. I know there are lots of other options, but I figure if Beauty and the Beast ever gets in a serious audience slump, there's a surefire way to pick up attendance again.

She would be great, I've worked with her a couple times and I always enjoyed her work. I think she played Eva Peron when she was 16 and I know she played Laurie in Oklahoma when she was 17, both professionally. She's just great.

I think she'd make a great Penny in Hairspray.

Wasn't there an article a while ago about Diana Degarmo (American Idol 3) being considered to portray Belle on Broadway? I seem to recall one. Nonetheless, I do think Anneliese would be a great Belle!

I know there was a thread here about DiGarmo, but I don't know if there was an offical article on it. It may have been just a rumor or someone's wishful thinking.

van der pol played eva peron? that would have been a hoot.

Pardon my ignorance, but who? I haven't watched the Disney Channel too much lately (or any TV for that matter), the name doesnt sound too familiar.

Yeah she is one of the few disney channel stars that I wouldn't mind seeing as Belle. She has a great voice and from what I've seen, she's a good actress so yeah, I definitly think she'd make a good Belle.

She plays Chelsey on Thats So Raven, at least I think, I have a little sis.

I think that Sara Schmidt would be great, although she isnt exactly famous.

As far as famous names go I actually think that Anne Hathaway would be great and her fanbase, for the most part, is the target audience for beauty and the beast.

I've never heard hathaway sing, is she any good?

I have always thoght Sutton's voice is perfect for Belle.

I thought that as well alphieboy, but I think she's too tall for the role. I believe Belle to be portrayed by a smaller actress, as to highlight the height of the Beast and Gaston. ( I do love her voice though)

Her height is the least of the reasons that Sutton as Belle is very wishful thinking.

Well obviously her career would be set back if she were to take the role as Belle. I really have no desire to see her in the role considering what her career is NOW, but maybe prior to Millie would have been a great time. Thanks again Killjoy :)

Oh, please. I'm hardly "killing joy" if you know that it would be a career setback. Poor baby.

ETA - yes, I do believe Anne Hathaway can sing.

Would they ever put another black version of B&TB back on Broadway?

I think I should be...

i'm perfect for the role! :)

hey while we're throwing out wishes...

I heard that Anne Hathaway was originally wanted as one of the leads of "Woman in White" in London... True? False? I don't know, but I thought she had a great voice in Ella Enchanted... She made me smile:)

I think Annalese is hilarious on Thats So Raven, and she would be wonderful as Belle. I've only heard her sing some really bad pop song on the Disney Channel, but it was good and if she was able to get the role of Eva Peron at age 16, then I trust she can handle Belle now.

I heard her sing once, and it wasn't anything outstanding. It was somewhat...formidable, I guess. But it's probably different on Evita.


But I agree, she's an amazing actress.

I agree Aigoo--not anything amazing vocally..

but I haven't heard her do MT style so...

ive met her before at a disney movie premire and she was really nice. but is very tall and looks much older in person.

Well, we don't *really* know exactly how old Belle is. Besides, makeup can make her look younger.

I still think that Jennifer Love Hewitt would make a great "Belle." Even though her star has dimmed, I believe this would be a good career move for her.

Yea..DiGarmo was being considered for the role of Belle, I think there was an article on broadway.com.... but, the person I REALLY want to see play Belle is JESSICA GROVE!!!! I think she would be AMAZING!!! Jessica is UNBELIEVABLE, I was lucky enough to see her perform as Miss Dorothy three times in Thoroughly Modern Millie, and she was phenominal.... So, wherever the Beauty and the Beast casting agents are.. Call in Jessica Grove for Belle.

Sorry but Diana DeGarmo has a lot of trouble staying on pitch. She's not so much tone deaf as she is tone hard-of-hearing. And she said the reason she screwed up at the finale was because of the Kodak Theatre's acoustics...SO DON'T PUT HER IN THE LUNT-FONTANNE!

ShuQ--thank YOU!!!

I hated her..she would always always go flat..and then be praised for her wonderful performance! I'd be yelling at the tv "ARE YOU ALL DEAF!!!???"

I cried when she sang "Someone to watch over me" *one of my fave songs!* and the whole thing was slightly country and very flat.

i definitely agree with Jessica Grove. i think she would be an AMAZING belle.

yay!!!!!! I love Jessica!!! Im really happy someone else wants to see her as Belle. Maybe it will happen in the future!!!

i agree on lots of things!

first of all, Brooke is AWESOME! why ruin her parade now? cant we discuss this towards the end of her run? its kinda sad, as if we were wishing she were gone soon. which i certenly dont!

second-if Diana Degarmo ever sets foot on broadway, then,well there's no hope left

third-sutton would be great! ive always thought her voice sounds like a disney princess, and i dont think it has anything to do with her height either, b/c there are lots of tall men, and she still could pass for 22 or whatever age belle is.

fourth-i can see anne hathaway, but i dont recall her singing. is she better than CCR? and ideally, after brooke, i think that jessica grove should go on as well!

my two cents

btw, for someone who said that they werent familiar with her ..

a little background and stuff

I'm not saying that she has to go anytime soon, I haven't even seen her in the role (that will change after next thursday), but brooke can't play belle forever, so a little wishful thinking never hurts.

I'm not saying sutton can't play her at all, i'm just saying by having a shorter belle, it highlights how huge the beast and gaston are. If belle were the same height as both of them, it might take visually take away from the show. I'd think Disney would want a shorter belle so that people get this midset of how powerless she is compared to the beast and gaston but in all reality she is quite the victor! and her powerful words/attitude make up for her height ( i mean, it did work in the film, no?) Plus it would be a major move back for her career. ( I DO THINK HER VOICE WOULD BE EXCELLENT FOR THE ROLE)

Jessica Grove is one of the nicest people i've ever met! A shoe-in for belle

totally agreed about degarmo..i think she should just stick to doing voice-over work for Clean and Clear.

What about Laura Benanti?

if that was actually Hathaway singing in "Ella" then i thought she had a great voice (it helped that she sung some classic QUEEN thought)

...Michelle Federer? How bout her?

I think Michelle F. will be in WICKED forever..till she's old enough for Madame Morrible..:) j/k

Hmm...how tall is Sutton?

Get Raven in there

Jessica was actually offered (and she accepted) the role of belle on Broadway; however, the offer was taken back and then Megan McGinnis got the part...

I would love to see Jessica Grove or Anne Hathaway in the role!!!

JENNY POWERS!

She's got the voice, and the looks, and the height!!!

:)

Yeah from what I've heard, Anne Hathaway has a very good voice and I think she'd be a great Belle.

Jenny Powers is GREAT! good Idea!

yeah! i never thought of it! i think physically, she reminds me more of Belle than Meg.

Sutton is 5'9? but i dont think height should matter. there are plenty of tall men that can make sutton a bit shorter looking. i still tihnk she could do it.

that sucks for jessica grove, but i heard megan was good too, did anyone see megan?

I agree -- I'd love to see Michelle Federer in the role, that is IF she ever leaves Wicked in time. =)

Anne Hathaway & Jessica Grove would both be lovely.

Sutton could pull it off of course, but I kind of think she's past Belle... I can't really see her going in as a replacement in a long running show. I have a feeling she's going to be doing a lot of originating of new Broadway roles in the near future...and hopefully break away from her "ingenue" image. =)

Personally I think that Brooke is doing a fantastic job in the role and they don't need to look for anyone to replace her right now.. She's doing great, the show is doing well and everyone is happy!