The outbreak of the coronavirus was declared a pandemic in March 2020 so you'd think by now we wouldn't have to ask people to wear face masks. After all, the entire health community says it is one of the easiest ways to prevent the spread of the disease. But that's not the case. People continue to go to public spaces with their mouths so mask-free, they even spit out loud complaints about it violating their freedom.
Actor and singer Noah Lindquist decided to try and change that. With the help of singer Ashley Young, he created a parody of Beauty and the Beast's song "Be Our Guest," naming it "Wear A Mask," and asking other Disney fans to do their part in fighting the coronavirus.
In just a few days, the video has been viewed nearly a million times
Ashley said the pandemic has affected her like a lot of Americans — she works from home now, is unable to perform live, and her upcoming gigs are virtual or prerecorded. The singer is also a vocal coach and has had to suspend lessons for a long time, too.
"Noah messaged me this question, 'Hey Ashley! I remember you singing some legit soprano in Spamalot and Mary Poppins. Do you currently have a strong high C?' The last high note was actually a high C sharp! Then we scheduled recording time and [the whole thing] took less than a couple of hours," she told Bored Panda.
"Between the two of us, there are 30 vocal tracks. I think some people thought we were soloists and had an ensemble, but that’s just us two at the end."
Ashley had performed with Noah in the past too, and hopes they will continue collaborating in the future as well.
Let's hope people hear its message too!
Noah watched Disney movies constantly as a kid. "I would act out several scenes (including a time when I jumped off my couch to 'fly' like Peter Pan and ended up hitting my head on our fireplace). Most of the first songs I ever learned were from Disney movies."
He was working as a professional stage actor and singer in Kansas City before the lockdowns in March. "Because a crowded theatre is practically a Petri dish for a virus, nearly all theaters have been shut down for the past seven months. I've had multiple productions canceled, and I've since moved back to my hometown to live with my family for the time being. It's been tough, but there have been many blessings in disguise," the performer explained his predicament.
So when he and his mom were watching Beauty and the Beast about a month ago, everything became clear. "'Be Our Guest' by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman has always been a favorite of ours. A few days later, at the coffee shop where I work, I started humming the tune and the idea suddenly came to me. I ended up writing nearly all of the first verse on my lunch break. I never imagined it would take off like this."
The 1991 version of Beauty and the Beast is an excellent movie. Critics have called it enchanting and sweepingly romantic, and praised the wonderful musical numbers in one of Disney's most elegant animated offerings.
It has grossed over $440 million and won two Oscars — one went to Alan Menken alone (Best Music, Original Score) and the other, Menken shared with Howard Ashman (Best Music, Original Song, for the song "Beauty and the Beast").
Those who have seen the video are absolutely loving it
