Disney classic popular with high school performers
By Alison Rooney
About 25 years ago, The Walt Disney Co. realized that its trove of beloved films could become live musical productions. It created the Walt Disney Theatrical Group and, beginning in 2004, began licensing productions. In the years since more than 90,000 productions have been mounted on stages around the world.
Beacon High School will join that list with its upcoming production of the musical Beauty and the Beast, the first — and still most popular at U.S. high schools — Disney property to be licensed. (It ran on Broadway from 1994 to 2007.)
The musical tells the familiar story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, a prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved in time, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former, handsome self.
With its fairy-tale core and attendant darkness, this “tale as old as time” (the title of one of its best-known songs) is primal emotions and fears wrapped up in the appealing Disney pastiche of ballads, jaunty characters (some of which are inanimate objects brought to life) and a fearsome spell.
Beauty and the Beast, directed by Anthony Scarrone, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 26; at 1 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 28. Tickets are $12 ($5 for students and seniors) at beaconplayers.com.
Cast
Elizabeth Cenicola (Belle); Kaljay Brown (Beast); Devin Bethards (Gaston); Tyler Hulse (Lefou); Joshua Fleming (Maurice); Jaylen Hills (Monseuir De Arque); Joshua Espinosa (Cogsworth); Alexander Ullian (Lumiere); Melina Cicligne (Feather Duster); Brooke Bennett (Mrs. Potts); Amanda Montaldo (Wardrobe); Eliza Principe (Enchantress); Ila Harvey (Silly Girl); Lindsay Fister (Silly Girl); Jordan Zinserling (Silly Girl); Abby Lyons (Silly Girl)
Ensemble
Irijah Leiner, Liam Byrne, Sophie Mercado, Caleb Ullian, Camille Pahucki, Analuz Rivera, Hannah Alfasso, Yahli Felixbrodt, Lucy Gunn, Sade Burns, Angelica Hibbert, Dior Gillins, Destiny Portho
Youth Cast
Shepard Rodgers, Ruby Rodgers, Audrey Lewis, Margot Burke, Jonah Mensch, Nathaniel Ramos, Henry Quinn, Olivia DelCastillo
Younger Company
Janessa Bell (Chip), Jonah Espinosa (Chip), Samiha Golden, Asha Marcus, Cheranaye Lewis
Crew Chiefs
Marketing Team – Lindsay Fister & Ila Harvey
Prop Crew Chief – Jordan Zinserling
Costume Crew Chiefs – Jillian Warner & Jana Medley
Art Crew Chief – Sabrina Tutasi & Sharlyce Santana
