Theatrical transformation
Rob Estes plays the beastly half of the title duo in the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theater’s stage version of “Beauty and the Beast.”
As fans of “Melrose Place” might say: Wow. Some beast.
Estes played Kyle McBride on “Melrose Place” from 1996 to 1999. You might also recognize him from recurring appearances on “Providence” (as John Hemming), “Silk Stalkings (as Sgt. Chris Lorenzo), “Suddenly Susan” (as Oliver Browne) and “Gilmore Girls” (as Jimmy).
Did we say you might recognize him? Probably not at first.
“I am heavily made up,” said Estes, between rehearsals this week. “But then, there is a transformation at the end.”
Estes, 42, has made a professional transformation himself lately. After spending more than 20 years as a TV and movie actor in L.A., he came to a key realization about two years ago.
“I was doing ‘Suddenly Susan’ before a live audience, and it made me remember why I love live theater,” said Estes. “In TV, everything’s too fast, man, and it’s all about a buck.”
So he moved to Seattle and began to concentrate more on live theater. He just finished a run as Solyony in Chekhov’s “Three Sisters” at Seattle’s Intiman Theatre and has been cast in “Wonderful Town” at the 5th Avenue Theatre.
He still zips down to Hollywood for TV and movie jobs – “it’s just a two-hour flight.” He recently taped a pilot called “Soccer Moms,” with Kristin Davis of “Sex and the City.”
Yet this is his second Idaho gig in the last two years – he was in “Same Time Next Year” at the Idaho Repertory Theatre at the University of Idaho last summer. Co-star Kelly Quinnett introduced him to Roger Welch of the CDA Summer Theatre, which led him to this role.
Estes was thrilled with what he found when he arrived for rehearsals.
“The talent is great – unbelievable, really,” said Estes. “Man, I was blown away by the music and dancing.”
This show is based on the Disney animated hit and includes most of the familiar songs, including the title song and “Be Our Guest.”
Yet it is also the most difficult show the CDA Summer Theatre has ever attempted from a technical standpoint, said director Welch. The costumes and makeup are a challenge enough – but those are easy compared to creating an entire castle onstage.
Krista Kubicek, a top Spokane actress and CDA Summer Theatre veteran, plays Belle. Troy Wageman plays Gaston. Julie Powell plays Mrs. Potts, the Angela Lansbury role.
Deborah Hansen directs an 11-piece orchestra.
Besides its regular nine-show run, “Beauty and the Beast” will have one extra discounted performance on Aug. 13, 2 p.m., especially for children and families. For information about tickets for that show, call the box office at (800) 4-CDATIX.