Ben Rauhala – 'Lucky to be Fairy Godfairy' to the Disney Princesses

He's been called The Fairy Godfairy (and not in a pejorative way). That's the nickname Ben Rauhala received seven years ago when he came up with an idea for the "Disney Princess The Concert" (previously "The Broadway Princess Party"), which is currently touring the Northeast before heading to Texas. The show press release describes the show as featuring an all-star quartet of Broadway and animated film icons that celebrate�all the Disney Princesses (plus once Prince) in an unforgettable evening of songs, animation, and stories.

The tour features Tony-nominee�Susan Egan�(Disney's�"Beauty and the Beast"�and voice of 'Meg' in�"Hercules"), Arielle Jacobs (Broadway's Jasmine�in "Aladdin"), Anneliese van der Pol ("That's So Raven," Broadway's final Belle in "Beauty and the Beast"), Syndee Winters (Broadway's Nala�in "The Lion King")�and Adam J. Levy ("Waitress") as the Prince.

Overseeing the musical direction is Rauhala when he was an original programming producer at 54 Below (now Feinstein's/54 Below) seven years ago, when he reached out to Laura Osnes. It was while he was working on the script for the show's first iteration that he was labeled The Fairy Godfather because his character needed a name. "We wanted something effervescent," he told Broadway World a year ago. "And I was like, it's like a Fairy Godmother, but fabulous, what is that? And I was like, 'Well, maybe just Fairy Godfairy.' And we both thought it was really funny but can we say that? And I was like, 'I think I'm telling myself that that's not offensive.' We did it for that first show in August 2015 and we've been doing it for six years ever since."

When he's not accompanying Disney Princesses, Rauhala can be found in the pit of a Broadway musical, such as recent Broadway revival of "Fiddler on the Roof," where he assisted�Ted Sperling�and the music team throughout the run; or collaborating with such talents as Duncan Sheik, Steven Slater, and Sam Gold on projects. He's been the longtime musical director for Jeremy Jordan, as well as helped shape the concerts of such artists as Ariana DeBose,�Taylor Louderman,�Jennifer Damiano, and Derek Klena. He was named�"Best Musical Director"�by the�2020 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards.

To Broadway World Rauhala also explained his last name's pronunciation: "Rau rhymes with Pow, and then Huh and Luh; and the emphasis is on the first syllable because it's Finnish – my father's Finnish."

The talented musical director spoke to EDGE about how the show started, touring during Covid, and which Disney Princess he would be.

EDGE: What was your first exposure to Disney music?

Ben Rauhala: My first exposure to Disney that I can remember is when my dad gave me a record player with his "Mary Poppins" record. I remember just sitting in my bedroom and playing "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" over and over.

EDGE: Tell us about the genesis of the Disney Princess Concert?

Ben Rauhala: Disney Princess, the concert, began as a small cabaret series called "Broadway Princess Party." I started with a bunch of my girlfriends in New York City. It began as something playful where some of the girls, who had played the princesses on Broadway, along with some of our friends, would together and sing the songs from Disney that we all loved. We started recording the sessions and posting them on YouTube, and they become so popular we started getting requests to tour.

It was actually Susan Egan who introduced us to Disney. She has a strong relationship with the company, and she's always stayed in touch with the Disney concerts department. They loved the idea and cut us a deal. "I actually received the news while in the Magic Kingdom with Susan and Jodi Benson, the voice of The Little Mermaid. So, for me it was a dream come true and a full circle moment, surrounded by my favorite Princesses."

EDGE: You have amassed a wonderful cast of performers for this tour, how did you get them all involved?

Ben Rauhala: The cast on this tour have all played Disney royalty, and they're all great friends. Arielle Jacobs, who was Princess Jasmine in "Aladdin" on Broadway. She was in the first "Broadway Princess Party" concert back in August of 2015. We're so lucky to have her. Anneliese van der Pol is with us. She was the final Belle in "Beauty and the Beast" on Broadway. Syndee Winters is incredible, she is new to us. She played Nala in "The Lion King" on Broadway and on tour. She was also on Broadway in "Hamilton." Adam J. Levy is with us, as our enchanting prince. He's become such a central part of our company.

EDGE: How do you decide which songs to include and who should perform them?

Ben Rauhala: It is difficult sometimes, because all four women could do such an incredible job with each number. What has helped is getting to know them well over the years. So, I start to figure out which ones best fit each personality. Sometimes I can't choose, and that's when I make it into a quartet with a harmony arrangement. For example, they all sing, "Let It Go" from "Frozen" because I couldn't possibly choose one of them to be Elsa. All those ladies could sing all the numbers and bring down the house themselves. I like to fit each song to each personality the best I can. They all have incredible voices, so I think there's just no wrong choice, no matter who you pick.

EDGE: What's the touring experience like now that COVID is somewhat behind us?

Ben Rauhala: We started touring again in the middle of January, and the COVID culture has really shifted since then. Honestly, it's been a huge relief. We still test all the time. At the beginning of the tour we were performing to audiences that were largely masked, and now we get to perform and see the audiences faces. Now we get to see them singing along, which is such a joy and something you really miss as an artist. It's such a beautiful moment of human connection. What makes it even more special is that, for a lot of people, we get to be the first show back into the theater for them. It's been very emotional in the theater because a lot of people are overwhelmed to be experiencing live music again. Live theatre is the most magical experience, and I am glad I get to share with everyone again.

EDGE: What would you say is one of the most empowering lesson that we can actually learn from any of the Disney Princesses?

Ben Rauhala: I think the most empowering lesson you can learn is kindness and having the courage to be kind to others in the face of adversity. You find that in all of their stories, even in the worst situations, these women, while saving their country and saving the man, they are still brave enough to be kind to every person they encounter and show compassion. Kindness should always come first, and in today's climate it is something we could all use a little more of.

EDGE: If you could be any Disney Princess, who would it be and why?

Ben Rauhala: I would be Ariel from "The Little Mermaid." Although, I would want unlimited power to switch between living under the sea and living above the waves. Plus, she does have the hottest prince. You must admit that Prince Eric is a real hottie. I love that she gets to breathe underwater and that her hair always looks amazing no matter if she's under the water or on land. She also has the best voice and she's known throughout the land and sea for having the best singing voice.

EDGE: What is your most played Disney song?

Ben Rauhala: My most played Disney song is the reprise of "Part of Your World" from "The Little Mermaid." I love that we have added it to this tour. It wasn't included in "Broadway Princess Party," so I am excited to have it now. It is performed as a quartet because I love the song so much I couldn't choose just one princess to sing it.

EDGE: You have toured with Ariana DeBose. What is she like as a person, and have you met her Oscar yet?

Ben Rauhala: Ariana is one of the most brilliant, effervescent individuals you will ever meet. I've been her music director for almost 10 years now. We met when she was performing in Broadway's "Bring It On." She had an audition for "Motown the Musical" the next day, and I asked her if she wanted me to help her go over the music. I taught her the Diana Ross material that she was auditioning with, and we've been friends ever since. I've only met her Oscar on FaceTime after the Oscars. She is shooting a Marvel movie in London, so after she finished up at the Academy Awards, she got on a flight to start filming. I can't wait until this tour is over and she come home so I can have a proper meeting with him.

EDGE: What impact do you hope to have on the LGBTQ youth seeing this show?

Ben Rauhala: I do feel very lucky that I've been the Fairy Godfairy for this project since 2015. I am happy to partner with Disney with the new version of the show and allowing me to follow my story. We begin the show with me talking about playing the piano and playing with dolls as a kid. I also talk about being made fun of and feeling lonely, and how these characters sort of carried me through. The story of the show is about me now having these real princesses in my life, and what it means for me to really not be alone anymore and to get to share my life with these characters.

I've received some beautiful letters from parents telling me that their son wants to be a princess and we've been so nervous for him, but after seeing the show and to see how well you're doing.

I'm so honored that I can be a light for LGBTQ youth. What is great now is that there is more representation out there. I wish there was more representation around when I was growing up. I would have been a lot better if there was someone on television telling me that it was okay for boys to play with dolls and that it is okay that you are not like your big brother who loves to play football. I hope our little show can be a gateway for them and their parents too see that it is okay to be yourself. I'm not on stage talking about dating a man, but I do talk about I'm fabulous, and I'm friends with these girls, and I played with dolls. I'm hoping that it can move the dial for acceptance. I'm not on stage talking about dating, man, but I do talk about I'm fabulous, and I'm friends with these girls, and I played with dolls. I'm hoping that it can move the dial for acceptance.

For more information and to purchase tickets to see "Disney Princess The Concert" visit, https://www.disneyconcerts.com/princess/. The concert will be at the Chevalier Theatre in Medford, MA on April 14th. https://chevaliertheatre.com/