PHOTO CALL: Oh, Donny Boy: Osmond Opens in Beauty

By Greg Kalafatas
September 25, 2006

The cast and crew of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, along with other Broadway stars, came out to celebrate Broadway's new Gaston, Donny Osmond.

Osmond is scheduled to play a nine-week engagement as Gaston in the long-running Disney musical at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Sarah Uriarte Berry reprises the role of Belle, which she previously played in the family-friendly production.

Beauty marks the first time Osmond has appeared on Broadway since his 1982 Main Stem debut in Little Johnny Jones. "I opened and closed [Little Johnny Jones] in one night," Osmond said in a recent statement, "and I remember thinking, 'One of these days, I'm going to do it right.' Now almost 25 years later I have the chance — I couldn't do it any more right than joining such an iconic show as Beauty. I can't wait to get started!"

Disney Theatricals producer Thomas Schumacher added, "I have known Donny for almost a decade and had a great time working with him. He's a brilliant performer and a great guy. We are all thrilled he's joining our production."

At Left (From Top): Beauty and the Beast's leads, Donny Osmond, Sarah Uriarte Berry and Steve Blanchard; Beauty's Mrs. Potts, Jeanne Lehman; Jersey Boys' Christian Hoff and Daniel Reichard.

Below: Donny Osmond takes his bow as Gaston.

photos by Aubrey Reuben