Zooey Deschanel is your new Belle in 'Beauty and the Beast' live concert
Knocking off one more celebrity from your Disney princess wishlist, Zooey Deschanel is the newest live-action Belle.
Only this time, everyone's favorite book worm is coming to life through a live-to-film concert at the Hollywood Bowl rather than in a live-action movie with semi-disturbing CGI. Also, this time the Belle hired for the job actually has some singing chops (sorry, Emma -- we still love you!)
Deschanel (who will headline alongside singer-songwriter Anthony Evans) isn't the only household name contributing both her singing and acting talents to the limited two-day concert event.
Kelsey Grammer of Frasier fame is perfectly suited to play Lumiere in a rendition of "Be Our Guest." Taye Diggs appears to be going back to his Rent roots, playing the part of the musical's lovable scumbag as Gaston. Pitch Perfect's Rebel Wilson will bring her comedic sensibilities as his sidekick in a gender-bending LeFou, while 30 Rock's Jane Krakowski will undoubtedly steal the show as Mrs. Potts.
While the music will take center stage at the concert paying homage to both the animated classic and the newer live-action recreation, there are other bells and whistles.
In the press release, director Richard Kraft said it will mix, "film, live music, singers, dancers, digital projections, effects, and special guest artists," in order to, "delivers something that can only be experienced live."
Deschanel said Beauty and the Beast was one of her favorites growing up (same), while Diggs expressed his long-held desire to play Gaston every time he watched the Broadway show. Most relatably, Wilson said she would be, "mentally preparing for the role in France by eating croissants."
Tickets for the concert taking place on Friday, May 25 and Saturday, May 26 will go on sale Friday, March 16 at 10:00am PT.
Jess is an LA-based culture critic who covers intimacy in the digital age, from sex and relationship to weed and all media (tv, games, film, the web). Previously associate editor at Kill Screen, you can also find her words on Vice, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, Vox, and others. She is a Brazilian-Swiss American immigrant with a love for all things weird and magical.
