Love and the art of storytelling is in the air as theater presents this year’s musical, “Beauty and the Beast,” on Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. with a matinee show on Sunday Nov. 17 at 2:30 p.m. If the audience would like to get to know the characters, there is an opportunity to attend high tea with Belle on Sunday afternoon, Nov.17. All tickets are on sale online.
Students and directors have worked so hard to make this the best show for their audience, spending countless hours rehearsing the past 10 weeks every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, alongside the other fine arts departments.
“[From this production], I learned how to have a better work ethic,” senior Beast actor Alex Warburton said. “Also, I’ve learned how to work as a team better.”
Belle, Cogsworth and Mrs. Potts went out into the community to read to kids at Creekside Elementary School, helping them get to know Belle and the rest of the characters. Theater plans to put on a successful show while aiming to keep the classic Disney magic alive, ensuring the audience recognizes and appreciates the effort and the talent of the students.
“You’re running the line of Disney accuracy and a live production, making sure you’re hitting those magical moments everybody knows and loves,” head director Lauren Holt said. “Also, being true to how your students are, how your program is and how your actors and technicians want to bring [the production] to life.”
Although they stay faithful to the original story, they also try to find ways to make it unique and their own. The tech crew worked hard to enchant the audience’s attention.
“The lights are a big part, especially for all the songs like ‘Be My Guest,’” stage manager Mars Zuniga said. “The lights are really intricate for them. I feel like a lot of people don’t appreciate it.”
The collaborative approach ensures the show benefits from multiple perspectives and builds a strong community with the fine arts departments.
“The kids’ worth ethic and vocals are astonishing, and they have put in many, many hours on getting those things so precise and they sound beautiful,” Holt said. “It’s one of their best attributes in this musical.”
