Beauty and the Beast: A tale as old as time

It’s two in the afternoon and slot machines are snacking noisily on monopoly money when Hilary Maiberger takes the stage for a press conference at The Venetian Macao. Brown eyes bright like Belle’s, she grips the microphone assuredly, letting her other hand fidget in nervous excitement.

Novice enthusiasm is the overarching sentiment of those involved with the latest production of Beauty and the Beast. Like the Broadway musical itself, many of the cast and crew are touring the world for the first time.

Though both unexpected choices for the lead roles, Maiberger, 29, and Darick Pead, 30, are strikingly similar to the Disney characters they portray. Bubbly but shy, Maiberger’s graceful demeanor and spirited vocals epitomize Belle’s charm. Donning macho sideburns and a gentle tone, Pead breathes new life into the reclusive Beast, delivering his lines with a touch of wit to humanize the role. The two have even found romance offstage.

“I think they saw something in me where they said, ‘She’s our Belle. We don’t have to do much with her, she can just be herself in the role and make it honest and grounded,’” says Maiberger, musing on her casting.

Touring worldwide since October 2014, the 20th anniversary international tour has reunited the production’s original creative team, including composer Alan Menken and lyricist Tim Rice. To enhance the story told on stage, the musical treats fans to new songs that aren’t featured in the animated film, such as ‘A Change in Me,’ ‘Home’ and ‘If I Can’t Love Her’ among many others.

“For me, every part of the score is a high point,” says Menken, who won two Academy Awards – Best Original Score and Best Original Song – for the 1991 film version.

“Uplifting music was needed, not anything with sadness or tragedy in it.”

Clocking in at almost three hours with intermission, Beauty and the Beast may test the patience of little ones, yet lulls are forgiven as soon as showstoppers like ‘Be Our Guest’ transfix the stage with vibrant costumes, larger-than-life choreography and magnificent melody.

So far, the show has drawn crowds from Istanbul to Italy, connecting thousands of curious audience members to the power of theater for the first time. Macau will be its ninth and final stop. For young stars Maiberger and Pead, the journey has proven that Beauty and the Beast truly is a tale as old as time – no matter where you’re from.

“It’s such a universal message. Places like Bangkok, where I thought it would be quieter because of the language barrier, it absolutely isn’t,” Pead recalls. “People love the story and they’re there to participate with us.”

// June 13-July 26, Tuesday to Friday at 8pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm and 8pm, HKD280-680. The Venetian Theatre Macao, Estrada da Baia de Nossa Senhora da Esperanca, Macau 澳门望德圣母湾大马路, 路氹金光大道澳門威尼斯人度假村酒店 (4001 20 6618, disneysbeautyandthebeast.com)

[Photos by Amy Boyle]