Therapist transforms into a Beast
Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” retells the story of love and acceptance of the one. No matter one’s failings, the story of the Beast shows that everyone is deserving of love and acceptance.
People consistently seek to be understood and accepted. Feeling of worth by those around them is something that all strive for, yet cannot always obtain. Parker Beus, who will soon be playing the Beast, knows how this phenomenon has plagued society from his work as a therapist.
“One of the biggest challenges I see with a lot of my clients is they just don’t believe they’re worthy of receiving love and affection,” Beus said.
Portraying someone seeking acceptance and love, Beus’ interpretation of the Beast strives to tell his audience how learning to love yourself is one of the most important challenges of life.
“There is something needed for each person, a release, for people to be able to have acceptance and to learn how to love themselves,” Beus said.
For Beus, that “release” started at a young age through developing his love for music.
“When I was bored I would sing around the house,” Beus said. “My mom said I could sing myself asleep … She has always been a good cheerleader.”
According to Beus, his mom’s early support was a significant reason for why he went into acting. She showed him his goals were of worth and that he could make a difference in how those around him interpreted the world.
Viewing his early lyricism as self-care, Beus decided to continue his musical ventures into high school.
Starting as a high school sophomore self-proclaimed “average singer,” Beus’ acting career became a safe haven where he could be himself and have fun.
“No matter what I was doing, or how stressed I was, I knew I was doing well when I was singing,” Beus said.
This pattern of singing and acting continued throughout Beus’ high school career until he went to college and served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
His passion for acting and singing was not lost, though he had not acted for many years. Until he met his wife who pulled him back into the theater.
Her influence reignited that release Beus felt in adolescence. Due to her efforts, Beus participated in many collegiate productions.
They even spent time in Disney World, where Beus’ wife, Kensie, acted as Belle. It was then that Parker gained a greater affinity for Disney and live acting.
After that, the Beus family held a special affinity for “Beauty and the Beast” so, when it became available to perform at their community theater, they both knew they had to be a part of the production.
But being parents while being in the production proved to be a challenge.
“Having two kids while doing a show can be hard to juggle but we have found ways to figure out the challenges we have faced,” Beus said.
Additionally, Beus expressed how much enjoyment this hectic planning has brought into his life.
“It gives us a chance to bond as a couple. It’s definitely a nice couples activity sometimes,” Beus said.
Beus is extremely grateful for the efforts of those around him to help him with his busy schedule. His sister, Brynlee, is one such person. On multiple occasions, she has been able to help with their hectic schedules and take care of the kids during rehearsals. Sometimes, Beus’ family has brought their children to the rehearsals.
His children also love visiting rehearsals and seeing the costumes in real life. Viewing their Disney shows in person, the Beus children are in no need of a Disney+ subscription.
“The kids are absolutely so excited for ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ At least once a day they tell me they get to go watch it and ask me if I’m going to go too,” Brynlee said. “They come home quoting lines and singing songs.”
According to Beus, everyone in the show has put in immense effort to make sure the show illustrates how love and understanding of others can elevate society to a higher and happier standard.
“It’s just so cool to see so many people see the worth of theatre and are willing to be a part of it at their own sacrifice,” Beus said.
Zack Grob, who plays Lumière, said he’s been very impressed with Beus’ Beast.
“He’s very vulnerable,” Grob said. “He does a really good job of showing his gentler side more often and choosing what he is defensive and gets angry about.”
Nikki Tait, the musical director for “Beauty and the Beast” and long-time vocal coach for Parker, has sacrificed countlessly for this production to go off without a hitch.
Tait originally met Parker before the pandemic as a vocal coach and musical director for “Annie,” where two of Tait’s daughters performed with Beus.
Before Beus’ audition for “Annie,” he reached out to Tait about vocal lessons for the part.
“Because of his teachable heart, he improved leaps and bounds just within the one hour we worked before his audition,” Tait said. “When he auditioned, he had improved even more, and he continues to impress me with the same trajectory of improvement.”
Tait is now the musical director for “Beauty and the Beast” and has been thoroughly impressed with Beus’ willingness to work hard and progress.
“Parker has a gift of making people feel at ease around him because he truly listens, shows respect and applies the direction he receives — which is a far cry from the Beast he portrays on stage,” Tait said.
Tait believes that Beus’ unique interpretation of the Beast adds layers of emotion to the message of Beauty and the Beast that will move the audience.
According to Beus, Tait’s influence has helped him excel in this role and many others before. She has helped him attain confidence vocally and improve as a thespian.
Beus is ecstatic to perform the Beast March 4-12 at the Ellen Eccles Theatre on Main Street in Logan.
“There’s no better way to spend your spring break than to come to the show,” Beus said.
Beus encourages all to come and be one part of something of great worth to him and show support to all the “ones” in his life that have helped him become the Beast.
Music Theatre West’s rendition of “Beauty and the Beast” will be at the Ellen Eccles Theatre March 4-12.
Photo by Bailey Rigby