Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Musical Returns to SoCal: Cameron Monroe Thomas on Playing Babette

Not many experiences stick with you quite like a live Disney musical. From the artistry of The Lion King to the scale of Aladdin, Disney Theatrical Group excels at turning familiar animated movies into massive, living stage productions. Through imaginative costuming, scenic design, and illusion, these shows do something far more interesting than just copy the films — they tangibly expand on the original animation.

That approach carries into the new North American tour of Beauty and the Beast. Based on the 1991 animated classic, the musical follows Belle, an independent young woman whose unexpected bond with a cursed Beast proves that compassion can change the darkest circumstances. More than three decades after its Broadway premiere, when the iconic Susan Egan inhabited Belle, the show is as beloved as it ever was.

Directed and choreographed by Matt West and conceived by Rob Roth, the production features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Tim Rice and the late Howard Ashman, and a book by Linda Woolverton. Leading the company are Kyra Belle Johnson as Belle, Aaron Kaburick as her inventive father Maurice, and Fergie L. Philippe as the misunderstood Beast. Joining them are Stephen Mark Lukas as the swaggering Gaston, Harry Francis as his loyal sidekick Lefou, Danny Gardner as the charismatic Lumière, Javier Ignacio as the fastidious Cogsworth, Christina Rose Hall as the nurturing Mrs. Potts, and Cameron Monroe Thomas as Babette, the spirited French maid transformed into a feather duster.

While the touring production is visually gorgeous — from its lavish costumes and scenic design to its inventive projections — its beauty extends well beyond what audiences see. There is genuine feeling beneath all that spectacle, with an emotional pull capable of reaching children and adults alike; it’s not an overstatement to say that even the most hardened cynic may find themselves melting like one of Lumière’s candles. Familiar numbers including “Gaston” and “Be Our Guest,” alongside “A Change in Me” and more, move the story while inspiring smiles, laughter, and perhaps even a tear or two. The plot itself remains thoroughly engaging, with plenty of suspense, not to mention a delightfully comic edge that earns boisterous laughter throughout the two-and-a-half-hour runtime.

Fortunately, Southern California audiences will have two opportunities to experience the production. After nearly 11 years, the musical has returned to the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, where it will play through September 6th. It then heads to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa from September 22nd through October 11th.

As Beauty and the Beast settles into its SoCal run, LAexcites caught up with Thomas to discuss making her national tour debut, discovering the heart beneath Babette’s playful exterior, developing her onstage chemistry with co-star Danny Gardner, and why Beauty and the Beast still connects so deeply with audiences of all ages.

Our conversation follows below.

Babette is known for her flirtation with Lumière, but what do you think audiences sometimes overlook about your character?

Thomas: Even though Babette is very flirty, vivacious, and sassy, she also has a big heart. She feels deeply, loves hard, is fiercely loyal to her chosen family, and is kind. Most of what the audience sees is her sharp wit, her sassiness, and her teasing, but there are some softer moments in the show (e.g., ‘Human Again’) where you can see Babette’s heart shine through. She is a complex and layered woman who loves to keep everyone on their toes in the castle.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast has been around since 1991. What do you think the story offers adults that they may not have recognized as children?

Thomas: I think this story resonates with adults in such a beautiful way. Not only are there some ‘grown-up’ jokes and moments that are subtly said, but there are also deeper lessons and emotions that are specifically tailored to our adult audiences. I think our story offers adults the importance of instilling confidence and love into your children, reminds them to teach their children and themselves that physical appearance is not what makes character, reminds them that forgiveness and grace can open the door to beautiful things, provides them with hope that love and happiness are possible, and that love can blossom from a place they least expect it.

Disney has described this as a reimagined production. What do you think longtime fans will notice that they didn’t before, and what might surprise audiences experiencing the show for the first time?

Thomas: Longtime fans will notice the new songs and new dialogue scenes in our show. These songs are showstoppers and the new dialogue adds more life and depth to the characters. I also think audiences will notice how spectacular the choreography is in our version of the show.

Something that will surprise audiences who are experiencing our show for the first time is how much the show makes you feel. Our show really tugs at the heartstrings and makes you feel a wide range of emotions from heartache to joy.

Much of the relationship between Babette and your co-star Danny Gardner’s Lumière is built through physical comedy and timing. How did the two of you develop that chemistry?

Thomas: Danny and I became friends quickly during the rehearsal process. His kindness, mentality, and lightheartedness just make him a dream to work with. Our chemistry developed naturally over the rehearsal, tech, and preview process. What really helped us grow more connected was purely just repetition (getting more confidence in our blocking and lines) and talking together about what our characters are thinking and feeling. The more we were able to do the show, the more we connected and the more chemistry we obtained. Also, the more we got to know each other as friends outside of the show, the more seamless our connection was onstage.

The specificity of our direction from the creative team was also very helpful in forming our characters’ relationship. Our chemistry is so strong because we both try to be present with each other every night and allow ourselves to truly listen and respond to what the other is giving. Danny is such an amazing scene partner because he is always fully committed and puts his whole self into his character.

You graduated from Texas State in 2025 and soon stepped into a featured role on your first national tour. When did it first sink in that this opportunity had become a reality?

Thomas: There were three distinct moments that made me realize that this dream opportunity was my reality. The first moment was when the cast was announced on social media by Playbill and the Beauty and the Beast Instagram. I couldn’t believe that my name and headshot were there under the role of Babette and next to artists I look up to.

The second moment that made this sink in was when we were taking press photos and videos in costume in Schenectady (our tech city). It was the first time I was fully transformed into Babette (wig, costume, makeup and all) and it felt surreal. Those moments were incredible, but the moment I realized that this dream is my reality was during bows of opening night and coming out the stage door to sign Playbills. That was the moment that it sank in that I am playing Babette and that my dreams are coming true. Honestly, I still have moments where I still can’t believe I am fortunate enough to be a woman of color playing this role. Every opportunity I have to do the show I give God the thanks and the glory for.

Which moment in the production perhaps still affects you the most, even after performing it night after night?

Thomas: The moment in the show that still gets me night after night is ‘Human Again.’ This number is so special because we Enchanted Objects are reminiscing on our past before the spell and dreaming of our future when the spell is broken. We are dreaming about all the things we will do when we are set free. We are also giddy and hopeful because we see Belle and our Beast bond and start to understand each other. We start to believe in love again and that we have a chance to return to our human selves. This number always makes me feel so joyous, emotional, and full of hope. Even past the circumstances of the show, this number always reminds me to see the light at the end of the tunnel and to remain hopeful in challenging times.

Babette is one of the castle’s biggest romantics. Do you think she understands love better than Belle and the Beast do?

Thomas: I think Babette understands what love is more than the Beast, for sure. I think Belle is very intelligent and thinks she knows what love is until the Beast totally changes her world. I think Babette and Belle both understand love, but just in different ways.

With Belle, it’s the first time ever that the Beast is having these emotions and is softening his heart, and Babette so enjoys seeing the Beast experience these feelings for the first time. Even though Babette is a romantic, I think she still is learning about different types of love and what true love means to her.

Cover image caption: Left to right are Kyra Belle Johnson and Fergie L. Philippe in the North American tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Photo by Matthew Murphy ©Disney.

The North American tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast plays at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre through Sunday, September 6th, 2026. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit BroadwayinHollywood.com.

A few weeks after the Hollywood run, the musical will return to Southern California for performances at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa from Tuesday, September 22nd through Sunday, October 11th, 2026. For further details and to purchase tickets, visit scfta.org.