Marlee Ready
Reporter
On Thursday, Mar. 21, the theater department will begin performing their production of Beauty and the Beast. Based on the animated Disney feature, Beauty and the Beast tells the story of Belle, a young woman who sets out to rescue her father, Maurice, after the Beast captures him. The classic French fairy tale stars senior Christy Coco as Belle and senior Vincent DeMarco as the Beast and also includes 15 more actors, 6 dancers, 21 ensemble members and 12 crew members.
Perfecting the production of this year’s winter musical has taken an immense amount of planning ahead of time. For Director and Choreographer Dee Alexander, preparation began before the school year started. “I start in the summer and prep with enormous amounts of research,” she said. “I meet with other directors and technical designers and plot out the show.”
“Rehearsals for the winter musical started on Dec. 3, but for a lot of people the planning and practicing started when the show was announced last year,” Vincent said.
Christy agreed. “I have been preparing for this role since October by finding the character of Belle, learning the songs and dissecting the script.”
Once it gets closer to show time, practices last longer and rehearsals intensify. “We have tech rehearsals where we build the sets, paint them, make the props, and create the costumes on Saturdays usually from 9:00 to 3:00 or 9:00 to 6:00,” Christy said.
The cast of Beauty and the Beast has most recently practiced five days a week from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. after school. As the opening night approaches, the cast will practice running the show in costume. “Dress rehearsals start the week of the show with some quick change practices the week before,” Ms. Alexander added.
The run time for the show is about two hours with a fifteen minute intermission. Most of the songs from the original animated film will be performed along with a new song called “Human Again.” This will be sung by Eliza Ranieri, Rebecca Mellinger, Tess Musky-Goldwyn, Taylor Thompson and Jacob Freedgood, the enchanted objects.
With the very talented cast and crew gearing up for the Beauty and the Beast premiere, ticket sales have high expectations. “The show is
going to be sold out at least two nights,” Vincent said. “The celebrity of the show itself is enough to draw people in, plus the amazing cast we have will only help to spread the word.”
Christy agrees that the popularity of the story will definitely attract a large audience. “I think the reason why the show has the potential to do so well in ticket sales is because it is such a Disney classic,” she said. “Everyone knows it and has a memory associated with it whether it be kids, teens or adults alike.”
The show has already sold many tickets due to the ability to purchase online. “We started selling tickets online this year and it’s been incredibly successful,” Christy said.
Dedicated cast members hope that viewers will appreciate the time and effort they put in to make audience members feel as if they have been transported into a fantasy world. “I’m looking forward to letting others see what we work so hard on and I want the audience to see the characters they grew up loving become real,” Vincent said.
Christy agreed. “The show is designed to feel magical with the incredible costumes, set design, lighting and special effects,” she said.
By the end of the night, Ms. Alexander hopes the audience will have experienced the magic of friendship, faith and love and how it can change a person for the better.
Beauty and the Beast will premiere on Thursday, Mar. 21 at 7 p.m. and will also show on Friday, Mar. 22 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Mar. 23 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are now on sale.
