BWW Interviews: 'Local' Belle, Hilary Maiberger, Talks Starring in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and More

Disney's Beauty and the Beast is coming to Palm Desert as part of the Rabobank Broadway Blockbusters Series at The McCallum Theatre and it stars "local girl' Hilary Maiberger as Belle. Produced by NETworks Presentations, this elaborate theatrical production will come to life on the McCallum stage for five performances on Friday, March 22nd at 8pm, Saturday, March 23rd at 2pm and 8pm, and Sunday March 24th at 2pm and 7pm. I had the chance to chat with Hilary about "being Belle", life on the road, career aspirations and a number of other things. Here are a few excerpts from that interview:

DG: Hi Hilary. It' a pleasure to speak with you. Where are you now?

HM: I'm in Sacramento for two weeks, and then we go to San Luis Obispo for a few days, and then Palm Desert and then (she squeals with delight) LA!!

DG: I understand you grew up in Redlands?

HM: I did. Well, actually Yucaipa - but now my family resides in Redlands. Palm Desert is just forty-five minutes form Redlands so I have a ton of people coming to see the show. And my grandfather lives in Palm Desert which is really, really cool. I have a lot of family members coming to see the show so I'm super excited.

DG: So, what is your first recollection of performing in front of an audience?

HM: Oh my goodness. It goes way, way back. The first role I played - I think I was a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz. Oh my goodness. Umm.. I remember - I think it was in Redlands - The Redlands Bowl - and I just remember seeing a sea of people and it was AWESOME! That's all I remember. I had the smallest little part but it was amazing.

DG: Did you study musical theatre?

HM: I didn't study musical theatre. I studied general music and San Diego State University and then I went on to get my Masters in Vocal Performance at Bowling Green State University. So I had a lot of Opera training. And it wasn't really until my senior year of college that I realized that I wanted to act as well. I was kind of a late bloomer in discovering how amazing it is to actually tell a story, and it isn't only about singing. So, I went on to get my Masters just to keep pursuing that and to make sure I had great vocal training so I could sing anything -so, no turning back since then. I'm addicted to this.

DG: Who would you consider to be the biggest influence on your career, so far?

HM: I have a really supportive family -- which is such a blessing in this career choice because it's very scary - you know, the instability of a job and stuff like that. So, my family has really - definitely one of my biggest inspirations have always been my family. My Mom has seen the show nine times, which is crazy. So, it's amazing that I have such a supportive family.

DG: How long have been on tour - and how long is your contract?

HM: Ooh ... seven and a half months. We celebrated our 200^th show yesterday. My contract is an entire year so I believe it ends June second.

DG: What is your favorite thing about touring?

HM: Oh, my favorite thing ... traveling across the U.S. I've never done so much traveling in a period of time. I've been to so many different places that I didn't even know existed. (She laughs) So, definitely having the ability to travel is incredible - I would never have been able to do this. If I were doing something else.

DG: So, what's your least favorite thing about touring.

HM: Ooh ... umm ... I miss my family a lot. It's really hard to be away from them. And I also hate living out of a suitcase. I know that sounds so silly. But it's definitely a struggle to live out of a suitcase and not to have a kitchen and not to buy groceries. And eating out so much. That's my least favorite. But, it's small ... it's no big deal. It could be worse, don't you think?

DG: What unique and different do you think you bring to Belle?

HM: You know ... I think I'm a lot like Belle in so many ways. So, I just try to be myself. But still I have to make sure that I portray her the way everyone knows her. She's so iconic and it's such an iconic film you don't really want to mess too much with the role because people expect to see Belle from the movie. So I try to stay true to that. But I also try to kind of put in my own personality. So its definitely a fine line and that's probably one of the hardest things about playing Belle. Umm ... but that's also why it never gets old for me. Every night - how can I do this better - I should have done this, let me try that tomorrow. So, it's an amazing role but it's also a lot of pressure - because they want to see Belle from the movie. But it's also just amazing because no matter what, they're just going to love the show. So, bottom line - just trying to be honest to myself --- and honest to Belle. I think I'm getting the hang of it. After seven and a half months, I'm think I'm getting my head wrapped around it. (She laughs)

DG: Who are some Broadway actors or performers that you look up to?

HM: Victoria Clark. Oh my gosh - she is amazing. There's so many. I recently saw "Once" on Broadway. Incredible cast, So real and honest. I love real and honest actors. Victoria Clark is definitely one of my long time inspirations and favorite actresses and singers and performers. She is UNREAL! I love her.

DG: What are your career aspirations.

HM: Oh my goodness ... to do this as long as possible. I know I can't be Belle forever. I mean, that would be weird if I were seventy years old and playing Belle. But, yah - just to continue this journey in theatre. But, I have my Masters -- so if the theatre thing doesn't work out for any reason, I would love to teach. But, as long as I'm doing theatre and something on the lines of acting - singing - I will be a happy camper.

DG: When this tour is done, will you come back to Southern California or will you go to New York?

HM: You know, I have yet to try the big apple so I think it's time. I'm 27 years old and I haven't tried New York yet because it's just so scary to me. But. I think that's the next step in my career -- To make the big move to New York and try theatre out there and see what happens.

DG: What advice would you give to young actors who aspire to do what you are doing?

HM: Umm ... if they truly love it then stick with it. Practice. Practice. Practice. You're going to get so many rejections in this line of work so you have to grow a thick skin and learn from every single audition - learn from every single rejection - because it's so worth it when you get that one "yes". Make sure you love it. If you're doing it for the wrong reasons, it's just not worth it. There are a lot of risks you have to take in this business. I don't see my family that much. It's hard to meet someone. So you really have to make sure you want it - and then stay dedicated to it. That's my advice. That's a lot of advice, isn't it?

The McCallum Theatre and Rabobank present Disney's Beauty and the Beast for five performances on Friday, March 22 at 8:00pm; Saturday, March 23 at 2:00pm and 8:00pm; and Sunday, March 24 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm. Tickets are priced at $105, $85, $75 and $55 for evening performances, and $95, $75, $65 and $45 for matinees. Tickets are available online at www.mccallumtheatre.com, or by calling the McCallum Theatre Box Office at (760) 340-2787.

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