Interview: Ann Paula Bautista of DISENCHANTED! at The Plaza LIVE Orlando

It's a whole new world with Ann Paula Bautista, princess in the national tour of DISENCHANTED!

The stories of Disney Princesses are quite literally tales as old as time, and often there's not much of a new spin that can be placed upon them. DISENCHANTED! is out to prove to princess fans that these ladies have so much more that they've got planned.

Cast member Ann Paula Bautista (who plays Pocahontas, Mulan, and Princess Badroulbador (Jasmine) in the National Tour of DISENCHANTED!) realizes these new versions of classic stories might be intimidating to die-hard fans of the classics: "I think the original fans, they have this view of what these stories were about, they've been stories of generations, growing up with them - Our version is more of the adult's version, after the happily ever after." Not only are the tales of DISENCHANTED! today's version of these stories- Bautista says it's even more so about "how these often historical characters would react to the way Disney portrayed them."

It's a sunny and hot Florida afternoon when I call to interview Ms. Bautista, who says she and her cast can't wait for the change in weather; they've just experienced a Kansas snow storm, and it's been less than thrilling. Audiences at DISENCHANTED!, however, are always in for a thrilling good time: "It's great fun, nothing too incredibly serious- It's just a hoot." This nightly adventure, according to Bautista, is "just a really great way for audiences to see a realistic view of the Disney princesses."

The most obvious of these modifications is the costume work in DISENCHANTED! Mulan's costume is a "much more traditional look, with really, really vibrant colors", which Bautista delights in wearing. "[We] didn't want to look exactly like Disney princesses, we wanted to be more true to the historical figures."

And with three different Princess looks to wear nightly, I asked Bautista if she had a favorite to don: "[They're all] incredible, strong women", but she's particularly grateful that her characters give her an opportunity to sing "a lot more of the heartfelt songs; a little break from the comedy." At the end of the day, however, Mulan wins out. "She gets to be kooky and crazy", and that's something she shares with her character: "[We both love] dancing like crazy!"

It's not just the clothes that make these princesses unlike ye Disney princesses of olde. "We're not perfect, classic princesses with a tiny waist", says Bautista. DISENCHANTED! tackles body issues, reinforcing the idea that different shapes, sizes, and heights don't affect your attractiveness: "[We talk about how] you're beautiful the way you are," says Bautista.

DISENCHANTED! also often tackles the issues the Disney classics wouldn't dare touch: "...body issues, sexuality, all that stuff. Its modern day takes, in a very fun show with a lot of heart." In fact, Bautista's character lineup may very well be the most dynamic in the show. Mulan, who she calls her "main girl", realizes mid-song, during her solo "Without The Guy", that she "just might be lesbian". I asked Bautista if she felt the weight of the responsibility that is being the majority of POC and LGBTQ+ characters in the show. "100%", she replies: "It's quite an honor for me to be able to play someone that little girls or little boys don't really see or hear of from mainstream Disney (products)." She regularly gets audience members- teenagers and parents- that approach her post show: "They thank me that finally, there's a gay Disney princess!" Bautista embraces this, saying it's "heartwarming to give someone to relate to." "It's a big responsibility, and such a gift, to be able to play a character with a lot of heart - I am able to resonate with people who aren't able to relate to the typicAl White Disney princess." Just recently, Bautista had an audience member, a mother, who came up to declare her performance had made her an "ally of [your] character (Mulan]!"

As we wound down our conversation, I asked Bautista: If you had to give another princess a try, who would it be? "I think I'd love to play Snow White- it'd be interesting- she plays our ringleader and runs a tight ship. It'd be a really cool challenge as an actor and as person, as I'm not normally seen for that type of role. She [Snow White] does everything out of love."

With a career that spans a variety of shows - everything from comedy to musicals and beyond - I have to ask where the energy comes from: "I've done a lot of kid's theatre, in my day", says Bautista. "I played Dora the Explorer in the live version - I did a lot of running around, I barely left the stage, it was exhausting."

So when one is doing work that's difficult, or maybe not even in their interest, what does She recommend? "Just believe in yourself. I know it's one of those cliché things, but it's important. It's so easy- especially being a minority, POC, in a huge industry that doesn't look for actors like me- it's easy to get discouraged. Just believe in yourself: If there's nothing for you now, there's something for you soon." Bautista recommends another option for actors: "If you can't find it, write it. I'm a playwright, but I never imagined myself as a writer [previously]." A successful writer, at that- Bautista recently put up a production in Toronto at the Carlos Bulosan Theatre, where she is a resident artist.

Her parting words for actors inspired by the performances they see at DISENCHANTED? "There's always a way - keep focused, work hard, and go to classes. Push yourself, even if you're not comfortable." Bautista recognizes this may come across to actors as nagging, "but it's [the] craft, and if you love it, you'll put in the work."

As we said our farewells, Bautista reiterated that the cast and crew of DISENCHANTED! were so excited to make their way to Orlando- and frankly, I think this is a city that's happy to have them.

The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra will present DISENCHANTED! at The Plaza LIVE Orlando, April 11-20th. Tickets range from $37-87 and there is an age requirement of 13+ years. Purchase your tickets online here.

Photo Credit: Dahila Katz

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