Interview: Michael Seltzer of DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Hollywood Pantages Theater

I cannot wait to see Disney's Beauty and The Beast at the lavishly gorgeous, historic Hollywood Pantages Theater, playing through September 6th (followed by a run in Costa Mesa at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts from September 22 – October 11).  I talk with Dance Captain Michael Seltzer and learn more about creating the magic behind the musical.

What brought you into being a dance captain?

It has always been something I was interested in doing! I asked my agents to reach out to the creative team to consider me as dance captain while I was in the process of callbacks. It has been such a joy having the responsibility and working closely with stage management and the entire company.

What do you feel like is the best way to teach/learn choreography?

Making it fun! We are dancing after all. I try to give a name to each step or section of a dance. I was gifted with a lot of explanation from our creative team on how to motivate each step with storytelling during our rehearsal period. This context is so helpful in detailing each moment onstage and personalizing your performance. 

What are your favorite dance numbers in Beauty and the Beast?

As a swing, it is always thrilling to be in different roles in ‘Gaston’. There are so many people weaving through each other and doing different choreography in counterpoint that it feels like organized chaos. Getting to celebrate Gaston with the ensemble is such a celebratory moment each night. It’s such an honor to be dancing with this amazing company of talented, hardworking people. 

What character surprised you when working with them more in-depth?

Our amazing Assistant Dance Captain, Emily Larger, helped to put in our newest Mrs. Potts, Christina Rose Hall. It is always surprising to learn how much work goes into the characterization of a role like Mrs. Potts. Everything she does in her dancing is informed by her teapot figure and her spout arm. With that, comes lots of navigating of special relationships to other actors , as well as position, angles, and lighting that evoke that she is, in fact, an enchanted teapot. 

When Mrs. Potts is in stasis, Christina always rests her free hand on her hip to evoke the handle of a teapot. It’s not so much a surprise as it is a joy to flesh out these physical quirks and subtle characterization with such a brilliant actor like Christina. 

What speaks to you about Beauty and the Beast? Are there any characters you identify with?

Belle is such a great example of: don’t judge a book by its cover. I identify with her desire to make people feel like they belong and give people the benefit of the doubt. I think that’s something we can all relate to. We all want to feel seen and understood. I also love a good book! 

What do you want audiences to feel as they leave the theatre?

The fact that theater is able to bring people of all different backgrounds, ages, and ways of thinking into one big room is such an undeniable feat that I’m so proud to share in. I hope that people can feel closer to one another and collectively changed as they walk out of the show having all shared in that experience together.  

What are some of your favorite musicals, personally?

Drowsy Chaperone - a musical comedy classic!  

What are your favorite rides or areas of the Disney parks? 

I loved getting to ride the Fantasyland rides with my four year old niece recently. I also love Tiana’s Bayou Adventure! 

What are your favorite places in Los Angeles?

Little Tokyo and Santa Monica. Shoutout to my favorite place nearby - Thousand Oaks! 

Photos by Matthew Murphy. © Disney

Disney's Beauty and The Beast runs through September 6 at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, followed by a run in Costa Mesa at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts from September 22 – October 11.