When "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" comes to the Milwaukee Theatre for a three-day run this weekend, young actor Dane Agostinis will suit up for the role of Beast and the prince.

A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School for the Arts/CAP21, Agostinis is relishing these roles in a show that -- like many -- he knows intimately via the classic animated Disney film.

Agostinis -- who has a lengthy resume, including roles in the national tour of "The Great American Trailer Park Musical," as well as in productions of "The Full Monty," "Bat Boy," "Spelling Bee," "Oklahoma!," "A View From the Bridge," Carousel," "Godspell" and many others -- says that although it's taken a little time to get used to spending more than an hour a day in the makeup chair, the role is, "the most fun I've had in a while."

We got a chance to ask the Beast, I mean Agostinis, a few questions about the production and his major role(s) in it.

OnMilwaukee.com: Have you played a role like Beast before, one that presumably requires very heavy makeup?

Dane Agostinis: Never! I tend to seek out roles where little to no makeup is required! I also usually don't like to get ready for a show 'til the very last minute. That has drastically changed, seeing as now I'm the first one in the makeup chair an hour and a half before the shows start.

OMC: Do you enjoy kind of being behind that "mask" from a performing perspective?

DA: I've never felt that I'm a character until I've put on the costume and makeup. This show was the same way. In rehearsals, to an extent, I'd have to remind myself that I'm a Beast and constantly work on his physicality. When it was time for the gear, it made it easier to transition into the character because I could see and feel what it was like to be a beast. The underlying work I did in rehearsals was absolutely necessary and still grounds me, but having the final look just brings that last push needed for the role.

OMC: Is it cumbersome getting into and out of it, from a practical standpoint?

DA: Well, the process isn't bad, it's just time-consuming. As I mentioned before, I'm the first one into makeup and that limits what I can do before the show. My pre-show routine has to happen before the makeup and wig, so it takes a while.

Coming from throwing on a costume five minutes before a show to an hour and a half before just takes some getting used to. On the other hand, taking off the "Beast" is down to a science. I'm coming fresh into a well-oiled machine and everyone around me already knows what to do. It's just up to me to flow right into the action around me and let them do their magic.

OMC: Is it fun allowing your "inner beast" to come out every night on stage?

DA: The most fun I've had in a while. I feel limitless and that is an amazing feeling as an actor and as a person. The Beast goes on a real journey through the show and every facet of his being is expressed and focused on throughout. It's so rewarding to be terrifying in the first scenes and not long after that getting to utilize my comedy chops. I really owe a huge part of that to my director for allowing me to play and find things that worked for me. I'm having the time of my life with this role and I can only hope those feelings never fade.

OMC: I imagine the hard part is perfecting the transition, from beast to less beastly; when Belle begins to open up his humanity ... do you think that's true?

DA: I try not to think about it honestly. Don't tell my director that! (Laughs.) But, for me, in all the roles I perform, I try to allow everything to naturally come together and flow without too much thinking. Of course the initial brain processes have to occur during the research period and rehearsals, but you have to let that go when you are on stage.

I'm constantly in my head and over-thinking in life, and am lucky enough to completely let that go in my acting. It allows for things to naturally happen onstage even when saying the same lines over and over and over again. I can listen more to my fellow actors and am more aware of what vibes they are providing me if I'm not thinking about what I'm supposed to do next. It's like riding a bike for the first time. The training wheels -- lines, blocking, intentions etc. -- need to be taken off in order for you to really ride.

OMC: Do you also get to play the post-Beast prince or is that impractical from a make-up/costume perspective?

DA: With a little help from Disney Magic, I'm able to be both the Beast and Prince in the show. My director told me a story about when the show was first up and running a song had to be added for the Prince because people didn't believe it was the same actor after the transformation happened. People were leaving thinking the Prince was a completely different person. It's really a great moment to have the audience see the actor that was behind all the Beast makeup and see who he is.

OMC: Were you a fan of the story as a kid?

DA: I was indeed a fan of the story growing up, but not immediately drawn to the Beast. I wanted to be the Stove!

Really, though, "Beauty and the Beast" did so much for the genre of animated movies and movies in general. It was the starting point of all the fascination with animation and allowed the market to thrive.

OMC: Do you think this performance will appeal to kids?

DA: Of course. Kids love the show! If they have seen the movie, if they haven't seen the movie. Young adults around my age who grew up with the movie will love it because it will bring them back to their childhood and even parents who watched the movie with those kids growing up will enjoy remembering. There have been many shows where the audience is filled with countless young girls in Belle dresses and I'm really glad to see that there are parents who still provide the Disney classics to their children today!