DARICK Pead and Hilary Maiberger star as the titular Disney characters.
“My brother served in a church mission in the province of Cebu for two years. He actually spoke Cebuano. All he talked about for the longest time was how much he loved the Philippines,” said American actor Darick Pead, who will play the Beast in the Manila run of the musical “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” in January.
Pead said he was excited to finally see the country that his Mormon catechist sibling talked so fondly about.
“Don’t tell his wife, but I think he’s probably going to see the show in Manila. They live in Utah now,” Pead told the Inquirer in an interview prior to the musical’s premiere in Istanbul, Turkey, at the Zorlu Center PSM in Besiktas, one of the world’s largest performing arts venues.
“Beauty and the Beast” will run from Jan. 9 to 25, 2015 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City. Aside from Pead, it will feature an all-American cast led by Hilary Maiberger (as Belle), Hassan Nazari-Robati (Lumiere), Adam Dietlein (Gaston), and Charlie Jones and William Poon (alternating as Chip).
“I learned from my brother that the Philippines is a tropical country. This makes me really excited,” said Pead.
Don’t you find it difficult to perform with all the prosthesis and makeup?
It allows me to act through something, exactly what the Beast is trying to do—act through so much stuff. These can be a hindrance but it also kind of helps me out. I do get [skin] breakouts but, so far, the makeup people have done a really good job. They make sure I’m well taken care of.
How would you invite macho men to watch “Beauty and the Beast?”
That’s easy! We have Gaston and the Beast. The cool thing about the Beast character is that we’ve all been like him at one point—selfish, mean and scary, because we’ve all felt hurt or sad. For macho men, we have really great costumes. There’s funny stuff, too. Gaston and LeFou are always hilarious. I grew up loving them. It’s a great musical. That’s why I think it’s so successful. It actually appeals to everybody, not just to kids and women, but even to macho men.
You described the Beast in an interview as a bully and a jerk. What do you think of bullies in general?
The beast transforms from this selfish person to a selfless one. Gaston is actually the bully—to LeFou and to everybody in the show. Gaston is the perfect example of what not to be and what not to do. Meanwhile, Belle is the type of person that we should all strive to be. We should accept somebody for who he is, even if he’s different.
PEAD sees his character as a “bully and a jerk.” videograb from youtube
Have you experienced anything related to bullying in school or while growing up?
I remember there was a time when I felt I was a bully. When we grew up, I finally had the opportunity to talk to that person whom I felt I bullied. It was crazy! He just said, “I don’t remember you being a bully.” Growing up in a religious family and being different from other people, I remember trying to play basketball with other kids but I wasn’t allowed to. That’s my only experience with bullies. I think it is the reason it is so important to be like Belle.
Being university-educated, do you think studying acting is important to becoming a successful actor?
I would say that, if you need to do it, then do it. I’m more of a person who follows his heart. Some people don’t study acting but they still do great. My advice is to do whatever your heart is telling you. Be honest with yourself. It’s the only way you can truly be happy.
“Beauty and the Beast” is directed by Rob Roth, with Michael Kosarin as musical supervisor and arranger and Matt West as choreographer. Ovation Productions is bringing the Broadway hit musical to Manila in partnership with Broadway Entertainment Group and NETworks.
(E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph)
‘Hi-5 House Hits’
The last shows of “Hi-5 House Hits” are Sunday and Monday, 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Contact TicketWorld at 891-9999 or visit ticketworld.com.ph.
‘In Excelsis’
The Philippine Madrigal Singers will have a concert Sunday 5 p.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). For tickets, call CCP Box Office at 832-1125 or 832-3704.