Gaston learns we can all listen better through performing the ‘Beauty and the Beast’
Playing the role of Gaston in “Beauty and the Beast,” Brad Baillio has been pushed out of his comfort zone and learned many new things while preparing to perform.
“I’ve learned from this experience the importance of listening to others,” Baillio said. “Overall, I think we can all listen better, which is a particularly poignant message for our time.”
Baillio began performing in high school, where he was in choir for four years and was a part of a barbershop quartet. Through this, the quartet was hired at SeaWorld as roaming performers.
Once in college, Baillio met his wife Celeste, the managing director at Music Theatre West, who had a large impact on his career in theater. Due to her major in music, dance and theater, and constantly being a part of shows, Baillio said her passion persuaded him to be a part of several shows as well.
Since moving to Cache Valley nine years ago, Baillio has participated in three shows. He played Bob Cratchett in Four Seasons’ “Christmas Carol,” Lord Farquaad in Cache Theater Company’s “Shrek the Musical” and Aldolfo in Four Seasons’ “The Drowsy Chaperone.”
“Lord Farquaad was an especially fun role because I did the whole thing on my knees,” Baillio said. “Aldolfo was a memorable experience because I got to play opposite my wife and our characters ended up married.”
Baillio tends to take a three year long break between the productions he’s a part of. According to Baillio, it’s hard to find spare time to practice at home due to his job and family.
“Theater is more my wife’s passion than mine, so I am more selective about the shows and roles that I go after,” he said.
At first, Baillio was not too thrilled to audition for “Beauty and the Beast”. Celeste informed him the musical had been changed over time to improve it. Many of their friends were also auditioning, so they encouraged Baillio to join them.
“When I first saw it many years ago, I wasn’t taken with it,” Baillio said. “I really enjoyed the animated film and thought the musical added too much extra content which diluted the story I’d grown up with.”
Baillio didn’t go into auditions hoping to get any specific role, but while he prepared for callbacks, he was focused on the role of the Beast.
“I have always loved the way he is portrayed in the animated film and really wanted to bring that animalistic harshness to the role,” Baillio said.
When he was called back for Gaston, he did not think he was a good fit for the role. He doesn’t believe he has the same physical skill portrayed in the animated film. Baillio believed there were people at auditions who acted the part and looked much better.
“Needless to say, I was flabbergasted when I was given the role of Gaston,” Baillio said. “It took some reassurance from my wife and friends to help me accept the role.”
Baillio’s wife has been a great support system through preparing for this performance and the rest of his performing career.
“She loves theater, is well-educated and has tons of experience,” Baillio said. “Even though it can be difficult to take acting notes from your wife, she helps me be better.”
Celeste has continued to see Baillio’s acting skills improve. Specifically, in this show, he’s connecting with other characters, listening and reacting and following his instincts.
“I support Brad by running lines with him and our kids also love to help run lines,” Celeste said. “We are in different scenes, so I put the kids to bed when he has rehearsal and he does when I’m at rehearsal.”
Brad enjoys that the director, Lindsey, often directs the cast to think about what motivates the characters and to dig deeper. In the big group numbers, the two choreographers, Anna Lee and Stephanie, have also been enforcing the same message.
“It really upgrades the experience from blocking and singing/dancing and into a real story,” Baillio said. “It’s been a terrific production team challenging and pushing us to tell a story.”
Since Baillio is playing a villain, it can be difficult to relate to the character because he drives conflict. Baillio does think it’s relatable to most people how driven Gaston is in order to get what he wants. He believes this because he said our society places high moral value on people who are driven.
“What’s interesting about Gaston is how misplaced that drive is,” Baillio said. “He refuses to acknowledge how his drive impacts other people, like how women aren’t trophies. And that negotiation we all must make when we’re chasing our dreams.”
It is really challenging to work on a well-known musical, Baillio said. But according to Zack Grob, who plays Lumière, Baillio’s done great work as Gaston.
“Gaston is a fantastic number,” Grob said.
“There’s an expectation that the characters should mirror what people are familiar with. But at the same time you have to breathe some new life into it,” Baillio said.
Although it’s an interesting balance, Baillio believes the cast is meeting it well.
“When each one of us brings that motivation to the stage, the characters come alive and grip the audience,” Baillio said. “That focus has been stronger in this musical than in others I’ve done.”
The role of Gaston is demanding. Baillio is in three musical numbers and is leading two of them. With all of the responsibilities Baillio has in his life and within the theatre, he has worked to find a balance in order to be successful, but with the support of his family, friends and cast members, this is obtainable.
Photo by Bailey Rigby