Since I was 17 years old, Kitsap Forest Theater has had my heart. My first show was Shrek, where I played Teen Fiona. I have played many other wide variety of roles under the trees since then, including Ariel (The Little Mermaid) and Peter Pan (Peter Pan). Most recently, I was seen as Amy in Little Women, The Musical, which was one of my favorite roles I’ve done with an extremely special cast. Every role has been challenging and demanding in its own way, but none more so than LeFou in Beauty and the Beast.
Throughout this entire process, I have told family members, friends, and cast members that this role allows me to do every single thing that I do best. While I started as a singer first, I am truly a dancer and mover who loves physical comedy, trying new things, and the art of “committing to the bit”. Playing LeFou allows me to do all of those things. In addition, playing a Wolf and a Plate fills my dancer cup in the best way. The combination of roles that I get to play in this show allow me to do what I love and what I’m good at and, I hope, makes for an entertaining show.
LeFou has also challenged my actor brain in a significant way. Taking a classically male role and making it female has been challenging, but very rewarding. I worked with our wonderful music directors, Mark and Nancy, to find ways to help the song fit in my vocal range. I worked with our director and choreographer to make my movement more feminine, but not overpowering. I also worked to create a unique dynamic with Leif, who plays Gaston, which is altered when LeFou is played as a woman. In addition, I have been challenged by the energy that it takes to play LeFou. I am an extremely energetic person, and even more so when I’m on stage. However, as a Drama teacher myself, I also am exerting a lot of energy all day at work. This role has taught me a lot of about self-care and being able to understand when and where to conserve energy so that I have more energy to place toward a different area.
Finally, the ultimate blessing has been getting to do this role with Leif by my side as Gaston! Leif and I have been great friends for more than five years. We went to college together and have done a number of shows together. There is just nothing quite like being silly on stage with one of your best friends.
This theater is truly a special place and will have my heart forever. It has brought me some of my closest friends, taught me a lot about what I’m capable of, and given me some of my most favorite memories. I feel lucky to have spent so many years both watching and performing in shows here. There is nothing quite like the Kitsap Forest Theatre, and I hope you’ll come join us this summer!
Tickets available: https://www.foresttheater.com/tickets
Anna Vizzare (LeFou), May 2022
There aren’t many theater actors out there who get to experience a show the way Anthony and I have experienced it. Beauty and the Beast has been my favorite movie since childhood, and when I found out my favorite theater in the woods was putting on a production way back in 2008, it felt like destiny. I just HAD to play Belle in their show, and I dragged my new boyfriend of two months to audition with me. We worked hard and got lucky, and ended up cast as Belle and Beast for the production. I felt like all my dreams had come true! Anthony was a charming, sweet Prince-turned-Beast, and I was just thrilled to get to sing my favorite songs in a big yellow ballgown. The cast and crew were so patient with me, despite my 18-year-old opinion that I knew everything I could possibly know about Belle and how to play her on stage.
Despite knowing how most high school sweetheart relationships end, we stuck it out through our time in college and our relationship deepened. When I decided to leave Washington to go perform as Princess Ariel and Queen Elsa at Disney World, Anthony followed after me only a few months later. I got to experience life as a professional actor, and we lived in Florida and Los Angeles for a few years before deciding to come back home to Washington. We also got married! 
We have been married for almost seven years, and together for fourteen. I had some serious health problems in 2019 and Anthony was a firm rock by my side the whole time. When I found out my beloved Kitsap Forest Theater was doing Beauty and the Beast again for their 2020 spring show a fire was lit in me and I was determined to get well enough to play Belle again. It had been twelve years since our original production, and I had deepened my understanding of the craft of acting, and had been as “real” a Disney princess as anyone gets to be. How marvelous would it be, I thought, to get to play the roles that had helped us fall in love all those years ago. 
Luckily for me, that’s exactly what happened! Anthony and I were once more cast as Belle and Beast. Unluckily for all of us, four days after our readthrough, the whole country shut down from Covid-19. We held out hope that we’d still be able to pull the show off that spring, but as time passed it became clear that we’d have to postpone. I spent my time focusing on recovering from my treatments and surgeries, and had the theatrical spark fanned again in last year’s production of Little Women, The Musical at Kistap Forest Theater.
As an actor I feel so fulfilled knowing that I have a new depth and life experience to bring to the role of Belle. I know how to make her a full, vibrant character and how to invite our wonderful audience to come on this journey with us. But the best part for me, after all these years, is that I have gotten to do it all with my partner, best friend, and the forever Beast to my Belle. We are both looking forward to getting to share this show, and our love, with all of you!
Sometimes it’s cold. I miss a warm dressing room. Sometimes is
sweltering in layers of heavy costumes. I miss an air-conditioned building. Sometimes it’s wet. I miss a roof. But all of that is worth it for the unique joys and fun challenges of producing shows outdoors at KFT. When nature obliges right on cue with a gentle breeze, birdsong, sunburst, or shower, it is truly magical. The challenges we face together as cast and crew create unity and connection. We all need that now. I have been blessed to experience an entire performance in a soaking drizzle-the audience right there with us-sticking it out through thick or thin, ever appreciative of our valiant efforts, and we of them. But most days are perfect: a little sun, a little cloud cover, a lovely summer breeze, abundant fresh air, and limitless creativity.
Playing Marmee in Little Women is a real joy, especially with so many actual family members and very talented cast members to play alongside. I love being part of an ensemble cast. Everyone encourages and challenges each other to bring the best of what we have to every rehearsal and performance. The music in Little Women is fantastic, and Marmee gets to sing two beautiful and poignant songs. I can’t wait to share them with you.