Welcome to the first in a series on online conversations that will serve as a sample of my Musical Theatre Masterclasses. For more information and booking requests visit www.chuckwagner.com
You were an incredible Beast. I saw the show 4 times. I also had the pleasure of seeing you perform as Dr. Jekyll. Another excellent performance!! Thank you for your transforming performances and your Madter Class Mondays!!
Dear Chuck, many years back I was blessed enough to see Beauty and the Beast on Broadway in Toronto with my late sister Kristen! After the show we ran around to the back of the stage outside, and you were gracious enough to sign both of our CDs, I don't know if you'll remember, but you signed "DREAMS DO COME TRUE"Chuck Wagner..."THE BEAST"now that my sister has passed away, the memory of seeing that awesome show and your brilliant performance as the Beast is so much more meaningful and special! Thank you for being so kind:)💞(I still remember you riding away on your bicycle into the night and how cool I thought that was)
Goodness me, I only just found this series! Very glad I have. I've 'Subscribed' to your channel, and have 'Notifications' on as well. Thank You again for your kindness and generosity for doing this for us..!
The Beauty and the Beast musical tour came to Montreal at least once but I was unable to get tickets to see it. It would've been a privilege to be able to see you as the Beast if I'd had the opportunity to go to Toronto back in the 90s. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us.
One of my favorite audios I have is you as the beast and Deborah Gibson as belle. Beauty and the Beast will remain the most magical show ever on broadway! Enjoy my page! I have some audios and videos of the production around the world!
The fact that you called the chest piece a prosthetic makes me wonder-was it custom made for each actor who played the beast or could most actors wear it, and how was it worn?
Thanks for the question Timothy. Each character is different, and the process of learning the show, understanding the staging and living the experience each night helps me to dive fully into each reality.Whether Beasts, Monsters, Princes or Superheroes - all require a vivid imagination and a larger than life commitment , but the joy of performing coupled with the power of the music make each journey an exhilarating experience. I strive to give that 110% each show and afterward can fairly quickly return to reality! Some roles you want to hang on to, but when you dance close to the edge of the dark side it is good to , pardon the 'Frozen' reference, Let It Go! :)
It was a challenge, and my Makeup artist Angela Johnson did a great job keeping everything attached. By the time the transformation was imminent the sweat did make the removal fairly easy!!
I love this video!! It's amazing!! I love to ask this question have you ever had a blooper or a make up problem on the stage? And how you could solve it? I think you are an admirable artist and i send you a lot of love and support from Argentina!!
Thanks Aldu. I have had my share of live theatre mishaps! Once at the start of Act 2, after the wolves attack Belle and I fight them off I stagger and collapse. Kerry Butler, my Belle, instead of wrapping the blue cape around my shoulders and guiding me back into the castle like we usually did, covered my entire head with the cape and walked me off stage into the wings! One of our dancing wolves' claws had gotten tangled in my wig and snapped the back clean off. We got it back on pretty quickly but it was a crazy silly moment! The magic of Live Theatre! Thanks for visiting my channel! I send my best to you and all of Argentina!!!
The short answer is Magic! The effect was designed by Jim Steinmeyer, who had designed the illusion of flight for David Copperfield. It was a fairly complex illusion utilizing some heavy equipment, creative lighting and clever misdirection. I will strive to create a video on that question in the upcoming weeks! Thanks Emily
