Interview: Lexi Rabadi, Matt Farcher, James Patterson, Charis Leos of DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Fulton Theatre

Fulton Theatre's current production, DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, due to popular demand, is being held over until January 7, 2017. The storyline is one that reminds each of us to value, above all else, one's inner strength and beauty. Through exquisite swirls of colorful costumes and melodic trills of voice, this production is a feast for the soul and enlightenment for the spirit. I had the pleasure of delving into the strengths and internal beauty of four of the lead characters: Belle (Lexi Rabadi), Beast (Matt Farcher), Lumiere (James Patterson), and Mrs. Potts (Charis Leos).

Christy Brooks: Do any of you have preshow rituals?

Lexi Rabadi: At my apartment, I meditate which helps me. Then I usually meet somebody at a café and decompress there. I have some tea and chat and we connect with each other.

Charis Leos: I have little rituals that develop through the course of a show. I tend to get ready in the same way and I have to have 'down' time right before. I can't be running around and then go right into the show or else my night usually doesn't go as well as I wish.

Christy Brooks: How long was it before you got your first big role?

Lexi Rabadi: This is it. This is my first job. I graduated in May, and I'm so lucky.

Matt Farcher: The first big one for me, I did THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO in the new Frank Wildhorn show this spring and I got to play The Count. I feel like every show I do is bigger and better, and a bigger production with more talented people.

James Patterson: I didn't land a big role for awhile. I was very lucky and got an equity gig right out of college. I did a show called GOOD NEWS at Westchester Broadway Theatre.

Christy Brooks: How well do you think your college degree prepared you to be a professional thespian?

Lexi Rabadi: I went to Pace University and the program there is fantastic. We had working professionals teaching us, which was so crazy cool.

Charis Leos: I went to college in Texas and I've been working for 27 years as a professional actress. I'm a firm believer that if you are working, you are a success and it doesn't matter where you do it. I do feel, however, that not a lot of time was spent teaching the business of theatre.

James Patterson: I attended a joint program between Tufts University and the New England Conservatory of Music. Tufts, at the time, didn't focus on the performance aspect of the program. It was more drama study. So, I can analysis a play like nobody's business.

Christy Brooks: Lexi, what have you found with your character, Belle that you like? And, what is something new that you bring to the character.

Lexi Rabadi: My favorite thing about playing Belle is that she is an empowered, smart, young woman. I relate to the part of Belle that is a feminist; that she is nerdy, smart and quirky. She's strong but she doesn't have to be tough. I learn that every night in different ways.

Christy Brooks: Matt, according to your bio, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 'holds a special place in your heart.' If you wish to share, please tell me how so?

Matt Farcher: It was the first show I ever saw and I thought it was amazing. My aunt took me and my brother and sister, to see BEAUTY AND THE BEAST on our eighth birthdays. And then in high school BEAUTY AND THE BEAST was the first show that I thought maybe I want to try and do this. I played the Beast, which was great. Then I left college early to go on tour with BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and played Gaston. And doing the show now, I think this just feels right. There have been checkpoints in my life that BEAUTY AND THE BEAST has been there for and a huge chunk of moments that define who I am or what I'm going to do.

Christy Brooks: James, have you had any dance training?

James Patterson: Well, I started my dance training late. When I was a kid I wanted to be a ballet dancer so badly. But, I grew up in El Paso, Texas and I knew it wasn't happening. Later in college, my advisor pulled me aside, because I had done some of the productions, and suggested I take a dance class. So my last year of college I started taking dance classes at a local studio and I put myself on a work study program to take classes. I had teachers that pushed me.

Christy Brooks: Charis, when singing the title song, 'Beauty and the Beast,' what imagery do you use? And does it change every night?

Charis Leos: Well, I started learning just the lyrics at home before we came. I had in my head one thing and then Marc blocked it. And when he did I was able to see all the awkwardness and the playfulness that turns into tenderness between Beauty and Beast. I do nothing but watch them. The song becomes about the emotional dance between them. I really love doing it every night but I'm totally focused on the two of them.

Christy Brooks: Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers:

James Patterson: Just to continue to gush over everybody in the cast. This has been such a great experience.

Matt Farcher: Vocally across the board, this group is insanely talented.

Lexi Rabadi: Every single person from any department has been wonderful to work with.

Adding to the superior Cast of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is an incredibly talented creative team led by Marc Robin (Director/Choreographer), Jonathan Lefever (Music Director), Thomas M. Ryan (Scenic Designer), Ryan Moller (Costume Designer), Jesse Klug (Lighting Designer), Gerald Kelly (Wig Designer), Dan Efros (Video Designer), Jacob Mishler (Sound Designer), Katelin Walsko (Props Designer, Timothy Markus (Production Stage Manager), and Rebekah Church (Assistant Stage Manager).

The Fulton Theatre's production of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST runs through January 7, 2017. For more information or to purchase tickets call 717-397-7425 or visit www.thefulton.org. Photos courtesy of The Fulton Theatre. Photos credit: Kinectiv

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