Broadway Youth Cebu stages Disney’s 'Beauty and the Beast' this weekend

CEBU, Philippines — After a year of preparations, Broadway Youth Cebu (BYC) finally premiered its adaptation of Disney’s "Beauty and the Beast" this weekend -- from August 2 to 4 -- at the Henry Sy Sr. Auditorium of Sacred Heart School - Hijas de Jesus. The show is part of the featured events for this year's Cebu City Arts Month.

With limited seats available, spectators are encouraged to purchase tickets at the venue. The remaining performances are matinee (2 pm) and gala (7 pm) shows today, August 3, and the finale performance tomorrow, August 4 at 7 pm.

The thought of a Cebu production of the iconic Disney tale was once an impossible dream after BYC’s first attempt to get the license in 2019 from Disney through Music Theatre International was not approved.

“After our Les Miserables show in 2019, BYC students that time wanted to be in Beauty and the Beast. But Disney and Music Theater International denied our request,” said director Allan Nazareno during the show’s media preview on August 1.

“The idea came again last year and I knew it was not going to be easy to convince Disney. So the Class of 2023 students wrote a passionate letter to Disney, and they listened. That’s the reason why this production is possible,” added Nazareno, who co-directs the show with Rudy Aviles.

BYC is one of the last theater groups worldwide that is allowed to stage "Beauty and the Beast."

“One month after we acquired the license, Disney announced that Beauty and the Beast is going to be out of circulation. All performances must be completed by December 2024, so we got it just in time,” Nazareno said.

Priding itself on having an unorthodox casting process, the cast consisting of children and teens was chosen based on the students’ performance during the 12-week summer workshop earlier this year which culminated in a  recital-cum-preview at SM Seaside City last June. Auditions took place the week after.

Playing the titular Beast is Tyler Tolentino, one of the theater group's senior members, who was “shocked” to get the role. “It’s a pleasure to play for BYC as this is my second family,” he remarked.

Bea Ogapon and Lexie Garcia take turns as Belle during the three-day run.

“There are so many talented people who auditioned for Belle so I felt threatened because their voice and acting are so nice,” Ogapon admitted. “It’s a big responsibility for me because people love this character so I have to do it justice and I hope I did.”

“Bea got her email saying she would play Belle an hour before I got mine, so I got worried because I didn’t get an email yet. I was waiting in my room until an hour later when I got the part too,” Garcia recalled.

“Taking on the role is a big responsibility so I am honored to be chosen as one of the leads this year for BYC. I have known these people since I was around 9 or 10 years old, so I am happy to perform with them again,” Garcia added.

Praising her co-actor, Ogapon said, “What helped me a lot is alternating my role with Lexie who is really good and she helps me improve when I watch her performance. I learned a lot from her.”

Joseph Po and Aidan Go, meanwhile, alternate as the antagonistic macho man Gaston.

“Knowing that it’s my first and possibly my last time in BYC, I was surprised when I got Gaston,” Po shared. “I was shaking almost every day waiting for an email to see what I would get. I was in the mall with friends when I received an email that I got Gaston. I was jumping in public to the point people thought I was crazy.”

Despite the challenges of playing a sexist in the musical, Go said it was an honor to play his dream role.

“It’s tough since he’s super arrogant and misogynistic, so it’s a challenge for me during rehearsals to embody him,” Go said. Po echoed similar sentiments, saying, “It’s hard to embody Gaston if your actual personality is the opposite.”

BYC applied a “gender-blind” casting process in choosing the supporting roles, such as LeFou who are played by female actresses Gillian Gasendo and Arianna Sevilla.

“We wanted to give this opportunity to our talented students. We did not follow the traditional way of casting and Disney has allowed that,” Nazareno explained.

Since the iconic Disney tale was shown on the big screen in 1991 and was remade into live-action in 2017, the cast believes that the themes of "Beauty and the Beast" resonate to this day.

“It will always be relatable to all ages because it has that nostalgic factor. There is always an audience for any Disney musical, especially one that has a princess like Belle,” Garcia said.

“It’s a classic and timeless tale and the story is very simple. It has a moral lesson that we shouldn’t be mean and that’s something that children and adults can learn,” added Miko Sarmiento, who plays Cogsworth with Ernest Aleonar.

Gabriela San Nicolas, who alternates as Mrs. Potts with Kristina Balagosa, added, “The lesson is relatable throughout generations, which is not to judge a book by its cover. People of our generation can relate to this. It’s a tale as old as time.”(CEBU NEWS)