Dane Agostinis brings a new Beast to town for Broadway in Chicago's leg of the national Beauty and the Beast tour. He brings a musical background to add to the play from Carousel to Oklahoma! Windy City Times sat down at the table for lunch and to be his guest.
Windy City Times: Hello, Dane. So you are one of the new cast members to the show?
Dane Agostinis: Yes, Emily Behny, who plays Belle and Logan Denninghoff, who plays Gaston, all came in at the same time. We rehearsed in New York for a week then went to L.A. Our opening was insane because Tom Cruise and the family were there. They came backstage and were very complimentary. Tom said something that I will never forget. He had never seen the movie or the show. He said, "You will always be the Beast in my mind."
Windy City Times: Wow!
Dane Agostinis: A lot of people have not seen the show but to hear him say that was so cool. We did the last three performances in LA.
Windy City Times: And now you are touring around. Is this your first time in Chicago?
Dane Agostinis: No, I came here on a chorus trip in 11th grade in 2001. We did the Sears Tower and sang national anthem at the Chicago White Sox game. This is my first time by myself.
Windy City Times: Where does your name come from?
Dane Agostinis: It's Italian. It sounds Greek because the "s" at the end. My family is from northern Italy. I don't speak a lick of Italian. I can maybe count to ten!
Windy City Times: You are from New York?
Dane Agostinis: I live in New York. I am from Tampa, Fla., originally.
Windy City Times: You went to school in Florida?
Dane Agostinis: I went in Tampa then NYU for college.
Windy City Times: You studied musical theatre there?
Dane Agostinis: Yes, I studied at the Tisch School of the Arts. I studied at CAP21, which is the musical theatre conservatory. It is now a professional company but people still take classes there.
Windy City Times: So after school you auditioned for things?
Dane Agostinis: I auditioned for things. I did The Great American Trailer Park tour for about ten months. My first professional job was as a replacement in Debbie Does Dallas the Musical in Tahoe.
Windy City Times: What kind of a show is that?
Dane Agostinis: It is a crazy show! One of the most fun roles I have ever done. I played Rick the quarterback. I replaced Adam Lambert. So we lived together for a week and learned the show from him. This was before he became the Adam Lambert on American Idol.
Windy City Times: What did he look like at the time?
Dane Agostinis: He had blonde hair and freckles. He was kind of a vampire because or show was at 10 o'clock at night at Harrah's Casino so he would come in late and sleep all day.
Windy City Times: What led you to Beauty and the Beast?
Dane Agostinis: I auditioned last October for Sam Scalamoni, the associate director. He handles all of the casting. I sang one of my favorite songs from Chess called "Where I Want to Be." It was perfect for the Beast, kind of angsty. I didn't get a call back until January of the next year. I was freaking out because I didn't know that Justin, who played the part before was leaving. I got a call a few days later asking me to play the Beast.
Windy City Times: Do you like the Disney cartoon version?
Dane Agostinis: I do but I just watched it the other day and they have a newer version that really messes with my eyes. I miss the old regular animation.
Windy City Times: How long does it take you to get ready in becoming the Beast?
Dane Agostinis: It started off an hour and a half before the show. Sitting in the makeup chair it takes me 45 minutes. Now I do it myself because I like to have my own space to do my warm up and listen to my music.
Windy City Times: What music do you listen to backstage?
Dane Agostinis: I have always liked showtunes. I do a few warm-ups then sing through songs of shows. I like to sing Side Show because of the baritone part, also, Songs For a New World and Damn Yankees.
Windy City Times: Your solo "If I Can't Love Her" is a tough song to do, isn't it?
Dane Agostinis: It is very hard to do. I have fallen flat a few times.
Windy City Times: Well, there is more to being the Beast than just that song.
Dane Agostinis: That is what Sam the director told me. I am an actor before I am a singer. I love that because I want to do straight plays, TV and film too. You can be an amazing singer and not be able to act. That is the worst thing to watch. Sure, you sound pretty but that is why they need to be a recording artist.
Windy City Times: How is Belle to work with?
Dane Agostinis: She is great. Emily and I got to work together a bit before in a stage reading about Eleanor Roosevelt then started the show soon after. We are constantly getting praise for our chemistry onstage. It is so easy with her because she is open and we just bounce back off each other.
Windy City Times: How is your take on the Beast different?
Dane Agostinis: I like to be funny. I like the scary stuff in the beginning. He does the worst thing ever by taking a father from his daughter and then he gets to be sweet and dopy. I have such a blast playing him. I get sick of a role sometimes but with him I am finding new things about him all the time.
Windy City Times: Where are you going after this?
Dane Agostinis: We have a seven-week break. We are getting the costumes and set revamped. After that we open in Cincinnati for two weeks. That's where I will be for my birthday. The show is doing well and will go back to venues that it sold out to extend the stay of the production.
Catch the great Dane here at Ford/Oriental Center, 24 W. Randolph, through Aug. 7. For tickets visit www.broadwayinchicago.com or call 800-775-2000.
