The Enchantress of Beauty with the Beast

By Natasha Slinko

In 2005, Canada crowned Melissa O'Neil, as the first female winner and the youngest singer of Canadian Idol at the tender age of 17. Although so young, her voice just soared and completely enchanted not just the judges of Canadian Idol, but all of Canada. 

After Idol it was a whirlwind.  She released her first single "Alive", which hit stores on October 4, 2005 and debuted at number one on the Canadian singles chart, a position it held for four weeks. The single went on to be certified four-times platinum by CRIA.   Her self-title album went gold.   On April 1, 2007, O'Neil attended the annual Juno Awards, where she was nominated for Best New Artist.

Her favorite memories of Canadian Idol, was that they had the best of the best.  O’Neil sang praises, “The crew and the production team were phenomenal - the people in the background are the glue that brings and holds everything together, yet they never get the credit that they truly deserve.”

One of her other most favorite moments was at a Jubilee concert, O’Neil sang “Safe Place to Hide” to her then 9 year old brother who was sitting in the 8th row – “that was a really emotional moment and had my brother in tears”.

She is very grateful for the opportunities that Canadian Idol presented.  When asked about her gold and platinum, she said that there was so much going on and that she didn’t really understand what it all meant at the time .  If she was ever again honoured with a gold or platinum, she now has the understanding of what that truly means and would appreciate it on a completely different level. 

One of the difficulties came when things slowed down after Canadian Idol.  Remember she was only 17 and she was lonely living downtown in the big city of Toronto.  O’Neil really missed her family and felt very alone.  Although she did say that people did reach out to her and welcomed her, she was having a wee bit of “a pity party”, which was terrible and thankfully she was able to force herself out of it.  

Lisa Lennox as Baa Baa, Melissa O'Neil as Bella Photo by Paula WilsonAs well, contractually they were suppose to record another album right after her first one, but there was a big change over in Sony/BMG with the president leaving, and many others as well.  Her project ended up in new music industry hands that really didn’t know her or the vision of what she wanted to do, so that just never happened.

Flash forward 2010, Melissa O'Neil, now 22, is honing her skills in theatre.  O’Neil has been cast in the role of ‘Beauty’ across from the Beastly King of the Enchanted Forest in Ross Petty Productions presents Beauty and the Beast -  The SAVAGELY SILLY Family Musical. This is the 15^th year of Petty creating pantomime holiday happiness for families of all ages.  Always fresh, relevant to the times and news, Ross Petty’s traditional pantomime presentations are absolutely hilarious, and always a must see. 

Once again, Petty has gathered a cast and crew that took the stage, and the audience by storm with fits of laughter.  Funny, brilliantly written and choreographed, they  took us on a ride to the Enchanted Forest that we had not visited as of yet.  And what a ride it was… the time just flew by.

Jake Epstein, Melissa O’Neil, Ross Petty and the rest of the phenomenal cast, crew and the incredible orchestra, were granted a standing ovation in response to this quick, tongue-in-cheek and laugh-out-loud show.  Once again Ross Petty has outdone himself and has brilliantly cast the show for yet another Christmas season.

Jake Epstein, former Degrassi heart throb was cast as the Princely who would be King,  cool rocker Beast with his two sidekicks,  Eddie Glen who plays Bert/Spork and Jake Simons as Antonio/Guitar.  O’Neil plays the role of the beautiful Bella and made it her own, and if it were even possible, she sounds even better; an absolutely powerhouse incredible, pitch-perfect vocals.  Then there is the hilarious Aunt Plinky played by the multi-talented fabulous Scott Thompson who had us in stitches, Meghan Hoople cast as famous popstar Buskin Beaver "Bieber"  and the incredible Lisa Lennox as Lady Baa Baa. 

The whole cast have such amazing voices and when it comes together, it truly is enchanting… pure magic.  Yesterday,  on opening night, parents and grandparents brought their children to enjoy the magic of the forest, and both adults and kidlettes laughed, giggled, cheered, and of course booed Ross Petty as the evil Baron Barnum von Cowell.  (Tongue in check humour of Ross Petty ‘I was offered a role in Stratford this year, but I told them I get booed enough every Christmas at the Elgin Show’) It’s all about audience participation.  Petty's portrayal of Lady Gaga still has the audience smiling and laughing in rememberance.

I had a chance to chat with O’Neil and she is truly the consummate professional and has an extraordinary gratitude and humbleness that shines through right away.  

O’Neil says, “It was not a dream to be princess, a fairy princess but this is real privilege and I am blessed to do it”.  She is also very excited as she is flying her family, her parents and her brother in from Calgary for opening night.  A very happy family reunion.

Ross Petty - Lady Gaga - Photo by Paula WilsonWhen asked about this opportunity to play Bella, O’Neill says “Pantomime is such an art form.  Ross Petty has created a great project and they are celebrating their 15th year.  I am having so much fun.”  

O'Neil has gotten even better, it that was possible, with that absolutely incredible,  beautiful voice that just soars and takes you on one of the most beautiful of journeys. 

When asked how one doesn’t break out laughing in this hilarious production, Melissa laughed and said that the way it is written, the leads get to laugh in the actual show.  

Melissa enjoys all aspects of the business: theatre, being on the road, studio work and writing music although the writing is not something she relies on to pay the rent.  O’Neil used the analogy of wanting to hone her skill to that of an artist/painter; they paint but they use different forums, such as acrylics, watercolours and oils.   She enjoys and is learning the multi-faceted aspects of the entertainment industry on all levels.

I asked O’NeiI what gives her joy and she answered, “I love to do Moksha Yoga.  I have become more patient and much more grateful for what I have in my life.  I am more aware of it.  Happiness is only something that you can cultivate within you.  It is not something you can buy.  I mean it helps to have money, but that will never buy you happiness.”   Through her yoga practice and her work ethic, Melissa has become more spiritually connected.

O’Neil is bright, articulate, intelligent and humble, as well as having a lightness of spirit. She says that in many ways it has do to with Moksha Yoga practice, which is a style of hot yoga that was developed by Ted Grant of Toronto, that she equates as her saving grace.

Ross Petty as Barnum von Cowell, Scott Thompson as Aunt Plinky - Photo by Bruce ZingerWhat she still has the most difficulty with, remains that she really misses her family.  As time passes O’Neil says “it worries me that I don’t see how my parents’ faces are changing or that my brother (now 14) grew 4” taller and now has a girlfriend.”

Another difficulty are the periods of self doubt that a lot of artists go through.  O’Neil says that if she is not working for 2 or 3 weeks, “I feel I have to get my butt off the couch and do something.”  Yoga definitely helps.  The savings that she has that she worked the whole year, will get her through, but Melissa says, “I feel useless and then I worry that I am not going to make it.” A fear even the most established artists have at the best of times.

O’Neil said that she is surrounded by so many talented people and artists.  “Ontario has so much talent, as does Canada, but there is just not enough work for them so many feel they have to go Stateside.  If there were a star system that could support all of the talent, what a difference that would make.” O’Neil believes that that will happen one day.

Musically she is not sure what to do or what she wants to do next, but is working on many exciting projects.  Next up, O’Neil will be going on to Stratford to play in Jesus Christ Superstar and then Camelot.  She is really looking forward to it and is grateful for the opportunity and the chance to grow in her talent.

O’Neil will also be playing and touring with her 8 piece band www.GodMadeMeFunky.com.  

Beauty and the Beast runs from November 25 2010 through January 2 2011  at the Elgin Winter Garden, Toronto, Ontario.  This is a show not to be missed.   Come and let them completely entertain you, and have you laughing out loud, or should I say LOL and let them completely enchant you.

For tickets and more information log on to www.rosspetty.com