#Cogsworth x Lumiere x Babette

[thisisnotlunatic]

Thank you Twitter for conveniently placing these shirts on my timeline. My head could ONLY think of these three.

[mreynolds23]

I have plan to create a BatB comic including some of my ocs.! I could try to make another page, but I have a lot of stuff that I need to work on! Second Slide is without text.

Ocs : Me

beauty and the Beast : Disney

[stormrider24]

Beauty And The Beast (The Broadway Musical) facts

Fact 1: Lumiere kisses Cogsworth on the cheek on two occasions during the show.

Fact 2: Lumiere has a girlfriend, named Babette. She's a feather-duster/maid.

Fact 3: Lumiere does not kiss his girlfriend one single time during the show. (Unless you count the time he kissed her hand and immediately sneezed from the feathers.)

Source: The official script that I'm currently looking at and have read all the way through three times. (my school's doing Beauty And The Beast, I was recently cast as Cogs himself)

Conclusion: This is Gay Ass behavior.

[s-a-a-a-age]

Doodals

[ticenchantedtoc]

I posted 400 times in 2022

17 posts created (4%)

383 posts reblogged (96%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@maurys-house-of-madness

@fairytooths

@lumiereswig

@draconicocelot

@imrandomdabadeedabadie

I tagged 365 of my posts in 2022

Only 9% of my posts had no tags

#beauty and the beast - 35 posts

#pokemon - 32 posts

#cogsworth posting - 20 posts

#hollow knight - 17 posts

#batb 1991 - 11 posts

#cogsworth - 9 posts

#a mood - 9 posts

#it is the time for loving men - 9 posts

#my art - 8 posts

#me - 7 posts

Longest Tag: 135 characters

#but sylveon has really won me over due to being a staple of my most recent x team as well as a reliable asset against saphria in reborn

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

"Oh Angelique, you don't understand! He's just so cute and he writes poetry- POETRY! I so badly want to ask him on a date, but I just can't and-"

This is the true definition of mlm wlw solidarity

7 notes - Posted May 28, 2022

#4

tic my dear friend tic tell me about your favorite batb headcanons :3

Omgomg how can I pick favorites? Ok I'll try to limit myself to a few

Chapeau experiences phantom limb after the curse, feeling like he should have four arms rather than two. Belle and Maurice try to make him a set of fake wooden arms to curb the discomfort.

Despite being so dedicated to his job (too much really), Cogsworth does have his hobbies. Specifically, art! He keeps a little journal of charcoal sketches, mainly of his coworkers or the castle's cat, and on rare occasions, he'll put the time and effort into painting as well.

Lumiere tends to be quite forgetful, perhaps even flighty, but he puts a lot of effort into remembering things about people: birthdays, favorite foods, music taste, etc. As far as practical stuff though, Babette is around to keep his head on straight at least.

Speaking of Babette, she also gets some... Changes, after the curse. Patches of white feathers have sprouted on her wrists and ankles. They're a bit awkward, but Lumiere insists they're beautifully unique and angelic.

Adam hates summer. Even now that he's human again, he gets unbearably hot in the summer weather. The nights aren't so bad though, when a breeze has started and the fireflies dance and Belle lays across his lap to read.

8 notes - Posted September 12, 2022

#3

"Your chamberlain is gnc af-"

"You're insane."

17 notes - Posted August 8, 2022

#2

Just finished Drawtectives Season 2 and oh boy am I having crazy person thoughts. Headcanons you wouldn't even believe.

20 notes - Posted August 3, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Men with fat tits

Like to charge reblog to cast

28 notes - Posted November 23, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[beastly-boy]

One of my favorite headcanons is that the curse has left some physical affects on everyone, but especially the staff. Adam still has fangs, Babette sprouts feathers, Cogsworth has an uncanny ability to always know the time without checking, etc.

YOOO this gives me kinda X-Men vibes in a way? Lumiere able to create tiny flames on his fingertips like a lighter, Mrs. Potts maybe steams when upset? Please send me anything you do with this!!

[radiantgalahad]

An OT5 because I'm? Gay?

[ao3feed-batb2017]

Adam (Beast) X Fem-Reader – Our Sweet Girl

read it on the AO3 at http://bit.ly/2DaFUxq

by writeyouin

Request: You're Adam's pregnant wife. Most of the castle are certain it's a boy, including him. Your joy at giving him an heir is dashed when you birth a daughter. You can't bear to look at her, fearing Adam's reaction. Mrs. Potts allows him entry & he's alarmed by your loud sobs, fearing the worst. You apologize profusely for failing & beg him not to execute you as you've read stories of what kings do to wives who fail to give sons. Adam quickly calms you, just happy both his wife & child are healthy.

Words: 2061, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Beauty and the Beast (2017), Disney - All Media Types

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M

Characters: Adam (Disney), Beast (Disney), Lumiere (Disney), Cogsworth (Disney), Madame de Garderobe (Disney), Plumette (Disney), Mrs. Potts (Disney), Reader, You

Relationships: Adam/Reader, Beast/Reader, Adam/You, Beast/You, Lumiere/Plumette (Disney), Babette/Lumiere (Disney), Cadenza/Madame de Garderobe (Disney)

Additional Tags: Reader-Insert, Angst, post-natal depression, Happy Ending, Angst with a Happy Ending, Hurt/Comfort

read it on the AO3 at http://bit.ly/2DaFUxq

[barpurplewrites]

Not in the romantic fashion - 4

Story So Far (HERE)

-x-x-x-

Cogsworth was perturbed. He would even go as far as to describe himself disgruntled, although he had always considered that a rather crass sounding word. Since Mr Gold had wed and brought Mrs Gold into the household nothing had run to schedule. Not a single thing! Dinner was frequently late, because the Master and Mistress had become distracted in the library. He still shuddered when thinking of the request that came several nights ago. Mr Gold had requested sandwiches to be served in the library rather than a sit-down meal in the dining room. The irregularity of it all!

He had hoped that Mrs Potts would stand with him in gently reminding to the Master that a meal had already been prepared. Unfortunately, Mrs Potts was apparently enjoying the spontaneity that abounded in the house now and had simple carved the roast and served it as the requested sandwiches. Laughing about honeymooners while she did it!

And it wasn’t only dinner that had been affected by Mrs Gold. Mr Gold had discarded one of his cravats, a handsome black and white checked silk, simply because Mrs Gold had declared it the most hideous thing she had ever laid eyes upon. He had untied it, there at the breakfast table, and tossed it into the fire! Cogsworth had not been able to believe the report from Lumiere, who had been called to fetch another less offensive cravat. To think of a gentleman of Mr Gold’s standing disrobing himself at breakfast!

Pictures had been moved; furniture rearranged; try as he might Cogsworth could not keep up with where trinkets were currently displayed. Mr Gold had ordered that any alterations Mrs Gold requested were to be accommodated as if he himself had issued the request.

Chaos! The whole house had become a hotbed for chaos.

Loath as he was to admit it Cogsworth would happily return to the bedlam that followed Mrs Gold’s arrival. The household was once again running to a schedule, but it was a sorrowful one. Since their early return from their engagement at Lady de Vil’s Mr and Mrs Gold had not spoken a word to each other. Mr Gold spend his days and nights shut away in his study, only emerging to sit alone at the breakfast table each morning. Mrs Gold took her meals in her rooms, and only ventured out to take a book or two from the library.

Peace and regularity reigned in the house, but it was hollow and somber.

 After three days Cogsworth was beginning to fret. Mrs Gold had not divulged any reason for the sudden change to Merida. Mr Gold barely spoke at all. In desperation to discover the cause Cogsworth had dispatched Lumiere to Lady de Vil’s to visit with his friend Babette, who served as a maid in that household.

It was after dinner when Lumiere returned. With a despondent look on his normally jolly face he spoke a simple five words.

“Mr Killian Jones was there.”

Cogsworth groaned. Mrs Potts swore under her breath. Merida looked confused. Ashley, who was young and had only been with the household this past year said; “Oh, Mr Jones is supposed to be a very dashing fellow.”

The hard looks she received from Mr Cogsworth, Mrs Potts and Lumiere made her frown.

“Well, that’s what I’ve heard.”

Mrs Potts clucked her tongue and shook her head; “The only thing you need to know about Mr Killian Jones is that he is a scoundrel. Now, about your chores, girl. The fireplace in the library won’t lay itself.”

Ashley left the kitchen with bad grace, muttering all the way about how she was never allowed to hear the toffs gossip. Cogsworth was beginning to harbour a few doubts about the girl’s suitability to service. She displayed an insatiable desire for gossip and had no care about whom she repeated subjects too.

Merida tapped the table; “I can see there is more to tell Lumiere, so start talking.”

Lumiere poured himself a cup of tea a dropped into his seat with a sigh; “Unfortunately you are right. Jones accosted Mrs Gold while she was briefly alone. They had not been formally introduced. None of the staff were close enough to hear what he said to her, but Babette says the look of repulsion on Mrs Gold’s face was clear from across the room.”

Mrs Potts snorted; “No surprised. That scoundrel never says anything worth hearing.”

If Merida was surprised at Mrs Potts interruption, she didn’t show it. Instead she shook her head; “There must be more. Mrs Belle can hold her own against foolish comments.”

Lumiere glanced around and took a deep breath; “Jones attempted to touch Mrs Gold.”

He paused, ready for the outraged comments of his fellow staff.

“The audacity of the man!”

“The cad!”

“Cheek of him!”

Lumiere nodded his agreement and continued; “That was when Mr Gold stepped in and dragged Jones away from Mrs Gold, by throat. Babette says everyone froze, except for Mrs Gold who rushed to tell Mr Gold to stop.”

Cogsworth mopped his brow with his handkerchief; “We must be thankful she did. We don’t want a repeat of the…”

He glanced at Merida and trailed off. Merida gave him a shrewd look; “There’s a history between Mr Gold and this Jones isn’t there? A nasty one judging by the way you all react to the mention of his name. And Mr Gold must had been in a fierce mood to unsettle Mrs Belle so.”

Butler, housekeeper and valet shared a look. Lumiere shrugged. Mrs Potts gave a curt nod. Cogsworth sighed.

“Mr Gold is not a violent man. He does not raise his voice or fists to anyone, with the exception of Killian Jones. Many years ago, Jones caused the death of someone close to Mr Gold. He showed no remorse for his actions, in fact bragged about it at large. Mr Gold called him out. The resulting duel was fought with pistols. Jones missed his shot. Mr Gold’s shot caught Jones in the hand, the surgeon had to remove three fingers. Jones left for parts overseas and Mr Gold considered the matter settled. That he has returned now, and has already targeted Mrs Gold, is most troubling.”

Merida sat back in her chair and blew out a breath. In her month in this house she had never heard Mr Cogsworth speak so concisely. His words were all the more unsettling for the plain fashion of delivery. She was debating whether to tell Mrs Belle of this history when Mrs Potts patted her on the hand.

“It’s the sort of thing that would be best coming from the Master. Do you think Mrs Gold might be willing to speak with him, soon?”

A tense silence enveloped the room as Merida considered. Finally, she said; “This all makes more sense now. Mrs Belle, she’s been deceived by folks before, and I’m thinking that’s what she feels has happened here. Mr Gold’s been all manners and sweetness, then to see him in a rage would have been a shock to her. I reckon she’s done as much considering as she can in her own head.”

Merida looked at each of the hopeful faces staring at her; “I may have to give her a wee nudge, but I reckon she’ll join the Master for breakfast in the morning.”

Cogsworth and Mrs Potts sagged with relief, while Lumiere punched the air.

“I shall make sure he is well turned out, and not a checkered cravat in sight.”

The matter between husband and wife was a long way from being resolved, but for the first time in three days the staff had hope.

  Gold gazed unseeing at the fire crackling in the hearth. Three days since Belle had spoken with him. No, he must think of her as Mrs Gold, he had no right to assume the intimacy of her given name, even within his own mind. He had lost any goodwill, or tender feeling she had developed towards him. All because he could not contain his temper when he saw Jones speaking to her. After all this time Jones still made his blood boil, and he had been so close to Mrs Gold.

In his moment of madness, he had fancied he could see Jones’ poison emanating from him and reaching out in sinuous tendrils towards Mrs Gold. He would not let that Jones destroy another person dear to him

He raked his hands through his hair and groaned. Once again his mind tortured him with the myriad of other ways he could have handled the encounter. If only he had maintained an aloof bearing, he could have stepped in and removed Mrs Gold from the situation calmly. If he’d been in control, he could have affected indifference at Jones’ presence and may have stood a chance of convincing the damned man that he was not worth a thought. Now Jones knew for sure that he could still provoke Gold and do so with ease.

He prayed to any wandering gods that might look kindly on his pleas, that Jones believed it was festering resentment over old wounds that had caused his violent reaction. If Jones suspected for one second that the larger root was his tender feelings towards Mrs Gold, then he would set his sights on her downfall without remorse.

There was much he should be focusing his energies on. His business dealing need attention, and he needed to discover why Jones was back from overseas and what he was planning and with whom. He had the motivation for none of it, all he desired was for Mrs Gold to speak with him.

Each morning he bathed and dressed hoping that she would join him for breakfast. From the moment they had returned from Lady de Vil’s he had wanted to beg her forgiveness, but her manner in the carriage had been one of fear and revulsion towards his person. He resolved not to force his company upon her. He could march up to her room, bang on the door and demand entrance, demand that she hear him out. The idea made him feel sick to his stomach. He never wanted to see that look of terror in her eyes, knowing that he had been the cause of it, ever again.

So, he waited, and hoped that once she felt ready, she would speak with him. The very first thing he was going to do was offer his deepest apology for terrorizing her. If she was willing to listen further, he would lay his whole sorry history with Jones out for her, every damning detail. Beyond that he had no idea how their conversation would progress. Would Mrs Gold forgive him? Would she wish to leave him? It was possible, their marriage was not consummated, it could be dissolved. In preparation for his wedding he had looked into how such an annulment could be achieved. He could make it happen with no detriment to Mrs Gold’s character or social standing. The thought of doing so made him want to weep, but he would grant it to her without complaint if doing so would made her happy.

Gods above how he missed the sight of her happiness. With a simple smile Mrs Gold could light up a room, she had brought joy to the cold barren waste of his soul. And now, thorough his beastly and base temper he had lost that light and was in bleak darkness once more.

His eyes fell upon his pocket watch. He lifted it with care from the side table where he had placed it when his discarded his waistcoat. His thumb stroked around the dent in the case and a sad smile tugged at his lips. The catch gave easily under the pressure of his fingers, and the lid opened to reveal a face, long lost, but never forgotten.

“I will not let Belle fall foul of Jones. I will not fail her as I did you. I swear to you Balefire.”

[bethanystan]

Together at Last

Pairing: OC x Reader

Warnings: SPOILERS Summary: When the castle was cursed Lumiére’s younger sister Y/N was hit with a curse, and she was doomed to never be remembered by her best friend Louis, the baker’s son, will she live the rest of her days like a glass ballerina, or will she be reunited with her childhood sweetheart Louis A/N: Louis is played by Tom Holland. Word Count: 1500+

I was awoken by a slam of my bedroom door, which was situated at the top of the tower, a woman no older than 20, beautiful might I add, ran in followed by mon frère Lumiére and Cogsworth. 

“Y/N! We have a guest!” Mon frère called out to me. I opened the door to my music box, there was a small crack which I saw out of previously, and stepped out. 

“Bonjour mon frère, qui est la femme?” I asked in my native language.

“This is Belle, she’ll be staying here for a while.”

“She’s beautiful, what’s your name mademoiselle?” The pretty lady, Belle, asked me. 

“Y/N.” I replied. I was stood on the top of a chest of drawers, she held a hand out for me to stand on, I did so, and she lifted up my small figure with extreme delicacy. A rumble was heard throughout the castle, another petal has fallen. 

“Put me back on my pedestal Miss Belle, please.” She did so, just in time, and my body became stiff and was stuck to my podium, it started spinning, and my music box started playing its usual song, my arms started moving involuntarily, like a robot needing some oil, to the beat of the music. Once the castle stopped rumbling everything calmed down and I became ‘normal’ once more. I started crying, no tears were made, but my chest hurt. My brother climbed up to see me, he unlit his candles and pulled my dainty body close. I was becoming more breakable as each petal fell.

“Je n'aime pas ça. Je ne veux pas être comme ça pour toujours.” I repeated. I pulled my solid glass skirt towards my chest and laid my head on my knees. 

“I miss him. I miss him so much.”

“Who do you miss Y/N?” I looked up to see Belle’s face in front of me. 

“Louis..” She looked as though she was thinking. 

“The baker’s son?” My face lit up. 

“You know him?!” I exclaimed, she nodded. I jumped onto her shoulder and we sat down on my old bed. 

“He’s a very handsome lad isn’t he?” I blushed and nodded. 

“He was my best friend before the curse… I guess you could say that I loved him, but I’m only young, and anyway he’s forgotten me… He did years ago…”

I was sat on my window sill, my back against the side, and I was looking out into the moonlit garden. I was thinking about him again. I was picturing what Louis would be doing now, probably baking. He loved to bake, just like his father, I remember for my 16th he made me a huge chocolate cake… That was the last birthday we shared together…

“Wasting in my lonely tower, waiting by an open door, I'll fool myself he’ll walk right in, and be with me for evermore…”

“Come outside, Y/N.” Belle said to me one morning. “No, I’m too fragile.” I declined her offer once again.

I decided to venture out into the castle for the first time in a while. I heard music playing in the great hall, this surprised me, also brought a sense of curiosity. I came up to a massive door and saw Cogsworth, Mrs Potts, my brother and Chip waiting outside. 

“What’s going on?” I questioned. My brother hushed me. I peered inside the great hall and saw Belle and Adam, together, dancing. It brought tears to my eyes. Due to the fact that it reminded me of my time on the dance floor alongside Louis.

“Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme, beauty and the beast…”

It wasn’t until I heard banging downstairs I knew something was up. Loud crashing, people screaming. People. Why are people in the castle? I immediately climbed out of my music box and clambered outside. As I was running through the corridors with my tiny feet I hear a voice in which I haven’t heard in years. I thought my ears were deceiving me. Was that Louis? I ran to where the voice was coming from and was greeted by a full on war between the townsfolk and my family. My eyes scanned the crowd and immediately spotted Louis. He hadn’t changed. Fluffy brown hair, beautiful brown eyes, not to mention a broad figure. But he was attacking Madame de la Grande bouche. My heart broke in two. But family is more important. I decided to get over my fear of breaking and fight my love for my family. So that’s what I did. I jumped from my point on the bannister, swung onto the chandelier, and headed down towards the battle, I landed on the top of Madame de la Grande bouche and jumped onto Louis' head. 

“Je suis désolé, mon amour,” I whispered before hitting the pressure point on the back of his neck and knocked him out. Once he lay on the floor, I snuck into his inside pocket and revelled his smell. He smelled of bread and flour. He smelled like home. I popped my head out of his pocket and snuggled into his neck. I didn’t hear the sound of someone coming up from behind me, it wasn’t until the last moment when I felt someone pick me up and the sensation of being thrown to the floor when I knew it was too late.

Lumiere’s POV.

Everyone heard it. It silenced the room. A smash. A smash silenced the room. I turned my head and saw Madame de la Grande bouche hunched over. She screamed. I quickly jumped down from the table I was on and ran over to the scene. I saw a bunch of broken glass was being looked upon. Glass. A small dainty arm. Y/N. Mon sœur. Ma petite soeur. I staggered over to the small pile. Anger raged through me. This is the last straw. They took away my only family. Everything went black for me. It wasn’t until screaming and a door slamming I woke up from my state. That’s when I broke down. Cradling the broken pieces of my baby sister. The boy beside her woke up, I recognised him immediately. It was Louis. He was dazed and confused, but when his eyes landed on my sister’s broken form he looked guilty. When his eyes landed on mine, he saw the fury inside of them and ran. For the final time I heard the castle rumble. We were all together at this point, all morning the loss of my sister.

“Goodbye my friends.” I said when my whole world went black.

It wasn’t until I was awoken by a flash of white light when I realised the curse was broken. I was human again! I turned to Mon amour Babette. I gave her the kiss she was waiting too long for. It wasn’t until I remembered my sister’s death was when I truly realised she was gone. I finally cried. I cried so hard. Babette pulled me close. That was until I heard a cough and a splutter coming from inside the castle. I quickly jumped up grabbing my loves’ hand and running inside the castle. There she was, in all her glory, my baby sister, with her glistening E/C eyes and her long H/C locks. I quickly ran up and brought her into my arms, we were all wearing white and she had a sequined corset with a feather tutu. 

“Mon frère!” She cried. 

“Let’s go outside oui?” She nodded enthusiastically. 

“Let’s.” So that’s what we did, we held each other’s hands and walked out of the double doors; there we were greeted by the townsfolk, Y/N’s eyes quickly started searching for Louis, then they stopped, I looked across to where she was looking and there he was, perfect white teeth, shaggy brown locks and eyes full of love stared at mon soeur. 

“Go to him,” I whispered to her. And she did just that.

Y/N POV    

I ran, and I ran, and I ran. Louis opened his arms and I jumped into them, the familiar smell of bread and flour engulfed me once more. 

“Y/N I’m so sorry.” He whispered into the crook of my neck. “It wasn’t your fault Lou, you never knew.” We pulled away and he whipped the happy tears off my face. 

“I’m loving the feathers, by the way, they suit you.” I giggled a watery giggle. I stared into his eyes, and he muttered. 

“Don’t hit me for this…” Then his lips crashed into mine, devouring them as though he was dying from starvation, and I was the source of food, I returned with as much gusto as I could. We reluctantly separated.

“Finally.” I whispered, and his mouth claimed mine once more.  

Tagging:

@aseasyasdeanspie @yuhkii-kaze

REQUESTS ARE STILL OPEN

[thisisnotlunatic]

Eat up, my Children. Daddy made you your favorite.

[thetimelordbatgirl]

But like, is Disney not aware of how much sense Cogsworth X Lumiere would be?

*They literally throughout the film argue like a old married couple.

*Im pretty sure Lumi is Bi??? He obviously kisses Belle's hand and obviously tries to flirt with Babette, but pretty sure Cogsworth cockblocks him half the time.

*Cogsworth actors have both been gay??? His orignial VA is a open and proud gay man, and his present one is also openly gay.

*Both are pretty much together in every scene.

*Cogsworth literally takes one look at Lumi in danger in the castle fight, despite how Lumi annoys him- HE STILL JAMS A DAM PAIR OF SCISSORS INTO LA'S BUTT.

*Which led to Lumi kissing Cogsworth to thank him- like, LITERALLY KISS HIM TILL COGSWORTH QUICKLY STOPS HIM.

*Pretty sure they danced at the end of the film together.

What did Disney choose? Fucking. La. Fou.

[sukipershipper]

Beauty and the Beast-Trolls AU

Ever since the trailer came out, this was on my mind.

Poppy-Belle

Branch-Beast

Cooper-Lumiere

Biggie-Cogsworth

DJ Suki-Miss Potts

GD-Babette

Satin and Chenille-Wardrobe

Smidge/Fuzzbert-Chip

Creek-Gaston

Chef-Lefou

Bridget-Maurice (I only say that because There is not enough of her in AU’s)

And yeah

Also I just realised I did a ship GD X Cooper, Hey don’t blame me I love this ship

[s-a-a-a-age]

I WAS INSPIRED TODAY

[dawnajaynes32]

We've Been Served

 We’ve Been Served

By Tom Wachunas

“…Ever just the same /Ever a surprise/Ever as before/

Ever just as sure…”  - lyrics from Beauty and the Beast

    With its current production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, directed by Jonathan Tisevich, the Players Guild Theatre offers yet another pièce de résistance of theatrical art. In keeping with the ebullient spirit of one of its signature songs, “Be Our Guest,” think of this show as a lovingly prepared, extravagant banquet served piping hot by an exuberant, impassioned cast.

   As the heroine, Belle - whose dreams of a better world are inspired by her passion for books - Rachel Smith is a thoroughly charming newcomer to the stage. Yet in both her acting and singing, she’s more than a diamond-in-the- rough. For all of her youthfulness, she’s a remarkably complete performer - a refined, multi-faceted jewel as it were - gracefully exhibiting all the subtle variations of light and darkness built into this classic tale of redemptive love. The emotive power in the gentle vibrato of her singing voice is a marvelous instrument in itself, effectively finessing her character’s innocence, feisty independence, and vulnerability.

   Early in the story, Belle’s father, Maurice, an affectionate and sweetly peculiar man played by Ralph Cooley, gets lost in the woods and imprisoned in the castle of the erstwhile Prince who was at the time cursed to be a Beast forever unless he can learn to love and be lovable. Belle offers herself in exchange for her father’s release. Her disarming, authentic tenderness and love will eventually transform her jailer’s hardened heart. 

   As the Beast, Sean Fleming is certainly a fearsome physical entity, but he’s also a soaring spiritual and emotional presence, embodying real pathos. Smitten and empowered by Belle’s unrestrained selflessness, he’s fascinating to watch as he slowly sheds his toxic bitterness to reclaim his humanity.   

   Mason Stewart gives us a muscular portrayal of the dashing and dastardly Gaston. Authoritative and comical, Gaston is nevertheless a self-absorbed, feckless, and cruel trophy hunter, obsessed with marrying Belle who in turn fiercely resists his advances. Undeterred, he struts about town with  exaggerated machismo, much to the delight of three ‘silly girls’ – played with ditzy abandon by Kaylah Lehman, Aaliyah Kinnard, and Alexis Wilson - who vie for his affections while swooning over his every word. Anthony Woods-Mitchell is similarly giddy in his role of the fawning Lefou, Gaston’s unreasonably loyal punching bag. 

   Meanwhile in the castle, even the domestic staff has been infected by the Beast’s plight. They’re progressively turning into inanimate objects. With their visceral French accents and incessant flirting, Justin Woody as the lascivious candlestick, Lumiere, and Desiree Hargrave as the frenetic feather duster, Babette, are hilarious. Jacob Sustersic is delightfully engaging as a clock named Cogsworth, the jittery sentinel trying to maintain order and proper castle etiquette amidst titillating operatic outbursts from Tehilah Caviness, who plays a fancy wardrobe. And Julie Connair, as Mrs. Potts the teapot, articulates a wholly soothing energy of motherly hope, comforting Chip, her teacup son, played by Noah Tisevich, equally endearing as he voices his desire to be a real boy again.

      Setting the well-appointed table for this aesthetic feast with inventive magical effects and visuals are scenic designer Joshua Erichsen with master carpenter Micah Harvey, lighting and sound designer Scott Sutton, and costumer Stephen Ostertag.  The cast performs Michael Lawrence Akers’ robust choreography with infectious panache, especially in one of the evening’s most raucous numbers, “Gaston,” featuring a wildly complex rhythmic flurry of clinking beer mugs. And the live orchestra directed by Steve Parsons brings exhilarating aural depth to the proceedings.

   I think one verse in “Be Our Guest” still resonates as best illustrating the inspired motivation behind this Players Guild production: “Life is so unnerving / For a servant who’s not serving / He’s not whole without a soul to wait upon…”  In navigating the often ambiguous boundaries between technically excellent entertainment, so abundantly evident here, and truly impactful art, this cast and crew have literally taken that lyrical sentiment to heart and effectively become the collective, compelling soul of a servant. 

   And so it is that in the end, I had the wondrously uncanny sensation of being embraced and otherwise artfully…loved.

   Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Players Guild Theatre Mainstage, Cultural Center for the Arts, 1001 Market Avenue N., Canton, Ohio / THROUGH OCTOBER 8 – Shows Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. / Tickets $29 adults, $26 seniors, $22 for 17 and younger / Order at www.playersguildtheatre.com or call 330.453.7617

   PLAYERS GUILD PHOTOS by Michael Lawrence Akers, from top: 1. Rachel Smith as Belle / 2. Ralph Cooley as Maurice, Rachel Smith / 3. Sean Fleming as the Beast, Rachel Smith / 4.  Jacob Sustersic (left) as Cogsworth, Justin Woody as Lumiere / 5. Julie Connair as Mrs. Potts

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