Be Sure to Come, Be Our Guest

Not only will the Beast be rumbling out a roar this weekend, but residents in the neighborhood will no doubt be hearing thunderous applause, when  performs this spring’s musical, Beauty and the Beast.

Last weekend began with the tedious work of tech week, as cast and crew members rehearsed the musical, and all the technical elements were checked into place.

But from the looks of it, this Walt Disney classic will be staging a new sophistication, without sacrificing any of the delight, when audiences see the play this coming weekend.

“This show is by far one of the more challenging plays that we’ve put on here,” Sean Wilson said, who is a drama club adviser, and has been handling the majority of the backstage details as co-producer. “When we took this on, we knew that we had to have a cast and crew who were up to the hard work ahead.”

The beloved fable has been affectionately viewed by youngsters and adults on Broadway and in movie theaters for decades. Surprisingly, this is the first Disney musical that Wilson said the drama club has put on, at least since his arrival at the school three years ago. 

“We started thinking about this production last summer,” Wilson said, “and by November, we began rehearsals, partly because of the elaborate scenes.”

Wilson said they transferred some of the staging ideas and special effects that were popular on Broadway onto the set.

“We have very elaborate costumes, smoke machines and lots of confetti. We have lighting that generates a circular movement, which adds another element,” Wilson explained. 

That bric-a-brac group—the enchanting Mrs. Potts, her son Chip, Lumière the proper candelabrum and the French chambermaid Featherduster—all lovable inventions that define the magic of the play will be seen donning artistically conceived costumes fashioned by students' mothers.

But, the real show-stopper is the castle where the Beast lives. After art director Colleen DiPietro outlined the initial sketch, some dedicated dads and students went to work.

“We had some family members, who are carpenters, build the castle,” Wilson said. “It took about eight weeks.” 

And it's spectacular.

Wandering through her provincial village reading a book, the intellectual Belle, the Beauty, is the focus and the desire of the arrogant Gaston.

Sophomore Kirsten Hess captures the essence of the the strong-willed Belle and is a gifted singer, who has a strong vocal range especially in songs like “Belle, Little Town.” Senior Megan Jones shares the role as Belle.

As Gaston slides into being more of the villain during the musical, senior Steve Amoroso, nails the booming bass tones associated with the character.

The voice of the Beast, played skillfully by sophomore Evan Fleming, is altered and amplified with a special device to portray a frightening bellow, until he is tamed by Belle.

The production is directed by Larry Biren and assisted by Megan Schweitzer, who both have been involved with other musicials.

Besides 40 cast members, the play has 89 crew, production and orchestra members who have come together for this show.

Wilson said the buzz has been high in anticipation of the play’s opening.

“We don’t normally have people calling to reserve tickets in advance,” Wilson said. “But the front office has said they’ve been fielding many calls this past week."  

He added, “The cast and crew have been working so hard. I hope we are in good shape for the opening."

From the looks of the dress rehearsal on Monday night, this cast and crew should have nothing to fear….except, of course, maybe the Beast.

Beauty and the Beast will be performed 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students. High school staff, children under 4 and senior citizens are free.