BELOIT — There’s nothing quite like the timeless story of Beauty and the Beast. This iconic love story will be performed Thursday through Sunday in the West Branch auditorium. This stunning performance brings you everything you’ve loved, including Disney’s classic animated creations. I’m sure you too will be captivated and captivated by this ancient story.
The traditional fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, published in France in the mid-18th century, is a timeless tale of love and friendship that has been translated into hundreds of versions around the world. When Walt Disney Pictures released this animated film by composer Alan Menken and the late lyricist Howard Ashman in 1991, critics were quick to praise it, calling the music “worthy of a Broadway musical.” It was hailed as a classic.
The film won the Academy Awards for Best Original Song and Best Original Score, and made history as the only animated film nominated for Best Picture. Given the power of the film’s story and music, the decision was made to bring Beauty and the Beast to the Broadway stage.
Disney Theatrical Productions assembled a creative team that worked hard to combine the strengths of popular movies with the possibilities that only live theater can offer. Linda Woolverton adapted her script for the stage, adding new scenes to fill out the story. The Oscar-winning score has been expanded to include several new songs by Mencken and veteran lyricist Tim Rice. Beauty and the Beast opened on April 18, 1994 at the Palace Theater and ran on Broadway for over 13 years, totaling 5,461 performances. It ended its run at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater and eventually became the seventh longest-running musical in Broadway history.
The story revolves around a prince who lives in a shining castle. One night, an old beggar woman visits the prince and offers him a rose in exchange for protection from the bitter cold. The prince is disgusted by the old woman’s haggard appearance and chases her away. The old woman’s ugliness melts away to reveal a beautiful witch, who tells him that there is no love in his heart.
Then, in an instant, she transforms him into a terrifying beast and casts a spell on the castle and all its inhabitants. Ashamed of his monstrous appearance, the Beast hides in a magical castle with his faithful staff. Lumiere, the candlestick filled with love, Cogsworth the arrogant clock, Mrs. Potts the kind teapot, and a curious teacup named Chip.
To break the spell, the Beast must learn how to love others and receive love in return before the last petal falls from the magical rose. Otherwise, he is doomed to remain a beast forever.
Belle is a beautiful and intelligent young woman who lives in a small provincial town with her eccentric inventor father, Maurice. Belle longs for the adventurous life she read about in books, but instead seems destined to become a quiet village eccentric. Belle’s only hope for fitting into the village seems to be to marry the rude and arrogant Gaston, but Gaston decides that Belle is the prettiest girl in the village and therefore suitable as a wife.
However, Belle just wants someone who understands her dreams and rejects Gaston’s rough advances. Later, on his way to town, Maurice gets lost in the woods and stumbles upon a castle enchanted by the Beast. Belle finds her father and offers herself to the Beast in exchange for his father’s release. The Beast accepts Belle’s offer, and soon she meets the other inhabitants of the magical castle. Lumiere and the staff decide that this is Bell’s last chance to break the spell. Throughout the rest of the show, they conspire to make Belle and the Beast fall in love…and that’s exactly what happens. Like most Disney shows, there is a happy ending where the prince and princess fall in love and get married.
Junior Allie Cannagy plays Belle, a French country girl who everyone thinks is just a weirdo. Cannagy, the daughter of Dr. David and Mickey Cannagy, has appeared on the West Branch stage many times, most recently as the Genie in “Aladdin.” As Belle in this show, she plays the character perfectly and is able to captivate the audience with her singing and acting abilities, especially in “Home” and “A Change in Me.”
Stage veteran Junior Gavin Clay secured the role of the Beast. Clay, the son of Corey and Krista Clay, is a theater veteran. His emotional portrayal of the beast is evident when he sings the ballad “If I Can’t Love Her,” which concludes the first act, leaving the audience on an emotional high. Last seen as Aladdin, Gavin’s acting skills, along with his wide range of singing abilities, bring to life the different facets of the Beast’s personality.
Molly McDorman, a junior, plays the caring, motherly Mrs. Potts. She has appeared on stage many times playing fun characters such as Sven in Frozen and Iago in Aladdin. She is the daughter of John Gossett and Nikki Gossett. Her rendition of the ever-popular song “Beauty and the Beast” is simply breathtaking, adding just the right nuance to the scene where Belle and the Beast fall in love.
WBHS junior Abigail Janosik brings just the right amount of comedy to Lumiere, a fun-loving French candlestick. Abigail is the daughter of Dan and Stacey Janosik. In the show’s biggest spectacle, “Be Our Guest,” she captivates the audience with her performance.
Sophomore Mason Brown plays Cogsworth, the nervous but very funny head of the magical castle. Mason, the son of Chris and Kristin Brown, has appeared in every West Branch show since he was in elementary school. He was last seen as one of Aladdin’s sidekicks in Aladdin. His rapier wit and comedic line-turning make him perfect for the role of Cogsworth.
Senior Arianna Aldridge will play Babette, a flirtatious French maid turned feather duster. She is the daughter of Earl and Stacey Aldridge and has a list of stage appearances in both West Branch and various community theaters.
Year 7 students Claire Bross and Sutton Clay will share the role of adorable Chip. Claire is the daughter of Zach and Jessica Bross and Sutton is the daughter of Corey and Krista Clay. They portray Chip with the innocence and fun personality of a little boy turned into a teacup. Claire and Sutton have both been seen on our WB stage in a number of roles. The duo is perhaps best remembered for their portrayal of the young sister princesses, Elsa and Anna, in Frozen.
Rounding out the cast of Fascinating Objects is Morgan Kurtz, who plays the famous opera singer-turned-wardrobe Madame de la Grand Bouche. She is the daughter of Joseph and Jody Kurtz. Morgan provides much comic relief in the show, especially when she is seen on stage with other fascinating characters.
Jude Corallo, who plays the arrogant but handsome Gaston, plays the role of Gaston’s toughness and muscles as he tries to get Belle’s attention. Not only does he look and act exactly like his character, but his booming voice and meticulous direction convince audiences of his versatile talent. Jude is the son of Marco and Janelle Corallo.
Freshman Ashton Clay, the son of Corey and Krista Clay, plays the funny and hilarious role of LeFou. Ashton adds much of the needed energy to the show’s big chorus numbers. Ashton was last seen on stage at West Branch as Omar in Aladdin.
Senior Wyatt Meisenheimer, son of Ryan and Bobby Hoffmeyer, plays the role of Maurice, Belle’s doting father. Wyatt really brings Maurice’s kindness and empathy to life. This is most evident in his performance of the song “No Matter What.”
Zach Karlen, the son of David and Jennifer Karlen, brings to life Monsieur d’Arc, the dark and disturbing caretaker of a psychiatric hospital in a French village. Zack also serves as the narrator’s voice at the beginning of the show. His incredibly deep voice is perfect for both of these roles.
Rounding out the cast are the women who play silly girls who add a lot of comedy to Gaston and LeFou’s scenes. They are Noel Shutler, Cammy McDorman, Raelynn Walker, Lily Skofinksi, Neely Gillingham, Regan Daly, Cecilia Laga, Izzy Higgins and Stella Zipay. Finally, the cast forms a choir made up of more than 100 students in grades 3 through 12.
The cast and crew of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast includes more than 150 students and volunteers. Audiences will love the big, “flamboyant” chorus numbers like “Belle,” “Gaston,” “Be Our Guest,” and “The Finale,” to name a few. Most of the characters who perform solos in the musical are trained by local voice teacher Bill Humbert. Musical Director and Artistic Director Krista Clay has been hard at work creating the musical numbers. Choreographer and assistant director Tessa (Wells) Murphy transformed the stage into a whirlpool of stage movement, gymnastic feats, and Broadway dance steps of all styles. This is most evident in the chorus number “Be Our Guest,” the show’s largest production number, in which cast members transform into dancing silverware, dinner plates, napkins, and household kitchen objects. Clay is excited to have Tessa on board for this production. Her skill and vision can be seen throughout her movements on stage. The last time West Branch did Beauty and the Beast, Tessa was Belle!
The sets, designed and built by Scott Close, Brian Hobbins, Adam Cleman, Marshall Cleman, David Canaghy, Zach Bross, and Andy Shutler, are exquisite and perfectly suited to the needs of the production’s scenes and musical numbers. Masu. The audience is transported to a French village, Belle’s country home, a magical castle, a frightening forest, and a French tavern. Paint crews have been working on the set for months while many fathers and community members work late into the night to complete what they call the theater’s “work of art.”
The show’s technical directors are Corey Clay, Eric Wagoner, Adam Corallo, and Aaron Brown. They run 36 wireless microphones and ensure all special effects run as planned. Special effects include the use of fog machines, confetti cannons, flying devices, and special fluorescent remote control roses. Over 50 hours were spent setting up the over 250 light cues required for production.
Beauty and the Beast show dates and times are: Thursday October 31st at 7:30pm, Saturday November 2nd at 2pm and 7:30pm, Sunday November 3rd at 2pm Saturday matinee shows This is a character luncheon. Additional tickets cost $7.50. Kids and adults can meet characters, dance, make crafts, and eat a delicious lunch. Reserved seating for the show is $14 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased online at wbmusic.ludus.com or at the door.
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