For Bill Nabel, Broadway’s “Beauty and the Beast” really has been ” … a tale as old as time.”
Even before Disney Studios execs had officially decided to turn this Academy-Award animated feature into a musical for the stage, Bill has been a part of this show.
“I actually took part in the first two readings for ‘Beast’ back in 1992” Nabel recalled. “We were all in this tiny little studio right across the street from the Public Theater. Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg were there, trying to determine if this cartoon really could be transformed into a Broadway show.”
But even then, without any sets or costumes, with only a rehearsal piano to hammer out the score, Bill knew that the stage version of “Beauty & the Beast” was going to be something special.
“You have to remember that ‘Beauty’ ‘s score was written by two Broadway veterans (Howard Ashman & Alan Menken),” Bill continued. “So the songs already had this real craft. Plus I remember that they had all of these models and drawings. As the creative team tried to show Eisner & Katzenberg how they’d translate individual numbers from the movie for the stage.”
Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Clearly Michael & Jeffrey must have liked what they saw. For one year later, “Beauty & the Beast” was opening at Houston‘s Theater Under the Stars. And Nabel was an official member of the cast.
Of course, like every show that goes out out-of-town, “Beast” had some kinks to work out. Bill remembers that the show’s original make-up & costumes were often too elaborate.
“We really had to pare things down, make the outfits easier to dance in, make the make-up quicker to apply,” he said. “But that’s why you go out of town. So that you can first identify your problem areas and then figure out how to make your show stronger.”
And once “Beast” ‘s production team changed the show’s make-up so that you could then really see the actors …
Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved
… as well as cut back on the pyro (Which Nabel recalled used to fill the orchestra pit with smoke. Which then irritated the eyes & throats of many of the musicians), the show really came to life.
And after a successful try-out in Houston, “Beauty & the Beast” then moved to Broadway. Opening at the Palace Theater on April 18, 1994. With Bill still a member of the cast.
And 13 years & over 3000 performances later, Nabel is still appearing in Broadway’s “Beauty & the Beast.” Only these days, Bill isn’t just a member of the ensemble …
Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved
… He’s now the designated understudy for Maurice, Lumiere, Cogsworth & Monsieur D’Arque.
“This show has been a godsend for me,” Bill stated. “It’s helped me to put two kids through college. Not to mention supporting my own career as a songwriter.”
That’s why this month is kind of bittersweet for Nabel. For even as Broadway’s “Beauty & the Beast” winds down its 13-year run (With the show’s very last NYC performance being presented on the Lunt-Fontanne on July 29th) , two of Bill’s own shows will soon be debuting in the Midtown International Theatre Fest. With one of these two musicals — “Love on Ice” — being of particular interest to Disneyana fans. Given that this show about cryogenics features an appearance by a newly thawed Walt Disney!
Getting back to “B & B” now: When asked about what his favorite moment in the show is, Nabel admitted that ” … It’s kind of tough to top playing Lumiere at the end of ‘Be Our Guest.’ When the flames go off and the champagne uncorks and the chorus girls are high-kicking and the lights are kiting all over the audience. That’s when you know that you’re really in a Broadway show.”
Gary Beach, the original Lumiere in Broadway’s “Beauty & the Beast”
Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Mind you, Bill has taken his dedication to this Disney musical to almost absurd heights. Nabel recalled the time that he returned to performing in the show after spending a month recuperating from being hit by a car on Central Park West.
“So I do a week’s worth of shows and my leg is really hurting me,” he explained. “So I go to the doctor. He takes an x-ray and tells me that my leg had actually been broken in that encounter with the car. So you know how you’re supposed to wish a Broadway performer good luck by saying ‘Break a leg’ ? … Well, I’m a performer that actually did break his leg. But that still didn’t stop me from appearing in ‘Beauty & the Beast.’ “
Nabel’s clearly proud of the time that he’s spent working on Disney’s first Broadway musical. Of getting the chance to work with so many talented people on a production that’s given millions of people so much pleasure over the years.
ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF THE “BEAUTY & THE BEAST” CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM IN ATTENDANCE
AT 13TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION : Front Row — Bill Nabel, Paige Price, Alisa Klein, Vince
Pesee & Gregory Garrison. Middle Row — Beth Fowler, Linda Talcott Lee, Sarah Solie, Eleanor
Glockner, Wysandria Woolsey & Linda Woolverton (Book). Back Row — Michael Kosarin (Musical
Director), Gary Beach, Robert Jess Roth (Director), Michael Demby-Cain, Burk Moses, Stan Meyer
(Set Design) & Matt West (Choreographer). Copyright 2007 Disney. Photo by Lyn Hughes
“I actually dropped by my casting agent’s office the other day to thank him for recommending that reading 15 years ago,” Bill laughed. “Of course, I was also hoping that he might find me another job. But it’s really going to be hard to top ‘Beauty and the Beast.”
Sunday, July 29th is your very last chance to see Disney’s “Beauty & the Beast” on Broadway. There are three easy ways to get seats to this acclaimed stage musical – Online at www.disneyonbroadway.com, via Ticketmaster at (212) 307-4747 or www.ticketmaster.com, and in person at the Lunt-Fontanne box office (205 West 46th Street). Get your tickets now before the final bow!