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.

 Anthony and I were both seniors in high school that year, and doing the show felt like the culmination of all my years of school shows, vocal lessons, and choir training. I was set to go off to the University of Washington to study music, and Anthony was going as well. We already knew we loved each other, so we decided to stay together all through college. 

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.

Finally, after two years we get to put on this new production of Beauty and the Beast! The cast is brilliantly talented, the sets are magical, and the costumes are glorious. It’s been incredible to reconnect with our KFT community and to bring new people into the fold. I have gotten to spend time with family and some of my dearest friends, all while rehearsing for this incredible show. 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!

Tickets available at www.foresttheater.com/tickets. Show runs Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm until Father's Day, June 19.

Ila Faubion Dresseen, May 31, 2022

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.

When you combine top-notch directing, choreography, music directing, costumes, special effects and sets (throwing in a lot of imagination) you create a magical show that is "practically perfect in every way"! Record audiences are loving this production of Mary Poppins and we have received many positive reviews from audience members. Here are several:

"We just had the greatest experience going to see Mary Poppins. The play was so well done, and the whole experience of the theatre was amazing! We definitely recommend this adventure!!!!" Alta M, facebook comment

"Just got home from seeing the Mary Poppins musical with my daughter and her family – their Mother's Day gift to me! I love live theater and knew nothing of this very special venue! Loved the production and the locale and will be back!" Evelyn C., facebook comment

"Mary Poppins was fun. I loved the way some of the "special effects" were staged. As for the venue, it will be perfect for Shrek. . . . I thought everything was very well organized, including the parking." T.J. B., first time audience member, to be actor in Shrek this summer!

We also received a review of the whole "forest experience" from a long-time audience member that is worth sharing:

"My husband and I and our son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter just attended a performance of Mary Poppins at the Kitsap Forest Theater. This was our 26th time at the theater and our 8 year old granddaughter's 11th time – we come to both plays each year. We discovered the Theater in 1994 when we moved here from Virginia and fell in love. The setting is beautiful and every performance that we have attended has been outstanding. We moved around the first few years to find the perfect seats and now we are at the trailhead with our picnic and gear at 12:30 pm so we can be the first ones down to ensure that we get our seats!"

"We have brought many friends and other family and they have all enjoyed themselves. The second time we brought our granddaughter (age 3) we brought one of her friends. Once we got settled and had started our picnic she explained to her friend that "first we eat lunch, then they come out and sing and dance, then we have dessert and they sing and dance some more. Then we all clap and we get to go down and meet the people, but don't step on the ferns".  We all were speechless that she remembered so much from her first visit the year before."

"When the Kitsap Forest Adventure Camp started she was in the first group and loved it so much that she asked at Christmas that year if we would be sending her again. She tells all of her friends what a great place it is. I am still amazed that more people don't know about the Kitsap Forest Theater when I tell them to come. They are missing out on a one-of-a-kind experience and a highlight of our summers."  Christina M.