Interview: Christiaan Smith-Kotlarek Serenades Audiences with BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Broadway World: I'm sure everyone is familiar with Disney's film adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, but could you tell me a little about the Broadway production?

Christiaan Smith- Kotlarek: It's the movie brought to life. This touring production is put on by Networks and the original broadway creative team including Rob Roth, Matt West, and Rick Sordelet and includes most of the lines from Linda Woolverton's Oscar-Nominated screenplay. Alan Menken, Tim Rice, and Howard Ashman's screenplay music remains with the addition of a few extra numbers, including Gaston's solo "Me" where he proposes to Belle. In short, the show is fun for the whole family.

Broadway World: What would you like the audience to take away from it?

Christiaan Smith- Kotlarek: I hope people leave the theater having laughed a lot, cried a little, and held their breath a few times. There are some moments in the play where you can hear a pin drop in the audience, and to me that means we've taken people on a journey and perhaps given them a small respite from their daily concerns.

Broadway World: For you, what was the most gratifying part of being a part of this production? What is the most challenging?

Christiaan Smith- Kotlarek: Working with the original creative team has been such a dream. They know exactly what they want, since the show has been around long enough to develop some traditions. That's also part of the challenge - there a lot of expectations that already exist when it comes to who Gaston is. I'm happy I can fill such large boots, at least for now.

Broadway World: If you could sum up Beauty in the Beast in 5 words, what would they be?

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