Beauty and the Beast

            The cast and crew of the play, The Beauty and The Beast, just finished their final show last night. They did a total of nine shows, some of which were matinees. The musical follows the classic Disney story. A prince is transformed into a beast by a witch because he is superficial, and to break the curse, he must love and be loved by someone before all the petals of a magical rose fall. Enter Belle and her father Maurice, the odd people in their French town. Even though they are considered bizarre, Gaston, a popular man wants to marry Belle. After her father goes missing in the forest on the way to a fair, Belle searches for him and finds him captive in the Beast’s dungeon. She offers herself to the beast in place of her father, and soon discovers that the house and its appliances and furniture are actual people.  In anger, she runs away and is attacked by wolves, but the Beast saves her. They decided to start their relationship again. Over time, she grows to like him and finds that he is not what he seems. Back in town, Gaston devises a plan in which he will force Maurice into an asylum unless Belle decides to marry him. Later, Belle visits her father after receiving permission from the Beast. Maurice tells the villagers and Gaston that they must save his daughter, but they all believe that he is a lunatic. Belle convinces them that the Beast is real and they all go off in search of him. Gaston and the Beast fight and Belle quickly tends to his wounds. Belle tells him that she is in love with him, just as the last petal falls. The spell is broken and the Beast and the furniture and appliances change back into humans. The musical was successful and the cast was chosen well. Belle, played by Sarah Bakke was impeccable, and Cameron Thomson as the Beast, performed wondefully. Babette (Delany Griffiths), Mrs. Potts (Alysen Bourhill), Lumiere (Dimitri Prica), Wardrobe (Sophie Meritt), Cogsworth (Will Shelling) and Chip (Audrey Habrois, Pt. Roberts Primary) were hilarious (especially Will and Dimitri) and they all played their parts superbly. The Prince Beast (Zachary Starko), Gaston (Jacob Rushton), Lefou (Trevor Bee), Monsiuer D’Arque (Sam Hughes) and Maurice (Meghan Phillips) were also excellent. The Bimbettes, the village children and the ensemble contributed positively to fulfill the classic tale. The crew worked extremely hard both during the performance and with the scenes, which were pretty elaborate.  All in all, with very few faults, the musical was very entertaining and was enjoyed by many. The work put in was amazing and we have some very talented students at the school. Excellent job cast and crew!

Tera Meschino

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