H.E.R., a cast member in "Beauty & the Beast: A 30th Celebration," poses at the premiere of the ABC television special, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, at Carondelet House in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
This feels like a very Disney-fied version of H.E.R, who typically prefers her round sunnies and a funky suit of some kind. The hair in particular feels like it's styled for the theme parks. She still LOOKS lovely, obviously, but it's interesting to me. I like the funky band jacket she's working, but I feel like she and I might both agree that a pair of pants would have been zingier with it.
Josh Groban
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (13665381ab)
Josh Groban poses at the premiere of the ABC television special "Beauty & the Beast: A 30th Celebration,", at Carondelet House in Los Angeles
"Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration", Los Angeles, United States - 13 Dec 2022
Josh is playing the Beast. The pictures in that link of his beard really made me laugh, which may not have been the intention. I was all set to be bummed out about this casting, because he's got that rich deep voice and would have been a complete hoot as Gaston -- "Groban" is not so far removed from that as a name, either, which is fate! -- but then I saw who they did cast...
Joshua Henry
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (13665381k)
Joshua Henry, a cast member in "Beauty & the Beast: A 30th Celebration," poses at the premiere of the ABC television special, at Carondelet House in Los Angeles
"Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration", Los Angeles, United States - 13 Dec 2022
... and yep, that absolutely makes sense. Gaston would even dig the sheer blouse. At least in the stage show, the Beast has a song, so Groban still got to flex his pipes. Whereas this Joshua can flex his pipes in two ways.
Martin Short
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (13665381af)
Martin Short poses at the premiere of the ABC television special "Beauty & the Beast: A 30th Celebration,", at Carondelet House in Los Angeles
"Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration", Los Angeles, United States - 13 Dec 2022
Martin as Lumiere is perfection, potentially? I can't think who I'd rather see fill in for Jerry Orbach. (I don't acknowledge the live-action movie. It was ghastly. Apologies to Ewan MacGregor.)
David Alan Grier
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (13665381r)
David Alan Grier poses at the premiere of the ABC television special "Beauty & the Beast: A 30th Celebration,", at Carondelet House in Los Angeles
"Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration", Los Angeles, United States - 13 Dec 2022
David played Cogsworth, who as a character would be DEEPLY WOUNDED by David's choice to show up at this in overalls. THEY AREN'T EVEN GILDED.
Rita Moreno
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (13665381v)
Rita Moreno poses at the premiere of the ABC television special "Beauty & the Beast: A 30th Celebration,", at Carondelet House in Los Angeles
"Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration", Los Angeles, United States - 13 Dec 2022
And Rita was the narrator. I might have made HER Mrs. Potts? Then again, I always forget she's north of 90 now, and might not want to take on a live theatrical TV broadcast. But I think we all know she could've made us cry with "Beauty and the Beast," and now I'm remembering Angela Lansbury is no longer with us, so THAT sucks. At least we have the sublime Ms. Moreno.
