The traditional fairy tale, "Beauty and the Beast," comes to the stage at Wood Hill Middle School this weekend.
"It's a show full of imagination and humor," said director and social studies teacher Katie Rey.
Actors are numerous as the show offers Belle, the Beast and a castle and village full of characters. Rey said a large cast is a must for a middle school-based production as acting involvement is great experience for students.
"Our shows have a big cast with lots of parts, so we were able to give a lot of kids roles," Rey said.
Teacher Gina Murray is o co-director. The directing duo gets help from Emily Pisacreta and Michela Caffrey, who are the student directors.
"This play has been an amazing experience, and I've gained so much confidence," Emily said in an email, "and learned not to be afraid of who I am."
Michela enjoyed being involved from the director's chair.
"You get to see a whole different side of creating a great production," she said.
Dillon Clancy plays the roles of narrator and Gaston and said cast members have grown into each of their roles - from Belle and the Beast, to the prince to the castle inhabitants and so on.
"It's been amazing," he said in email.
This local production of a fairy tale classic that cast members grew up with is described as expressive and loud, yet true to the story of Belle and her prince.
Cast members
Belle: Dena Brody
Beast: Daniel Webber
Lumiere: Shyam Venkatramani
Gaston: Dillon Clancy
Mrs. Potts: Michela Caffrey
Cogsworth: Cassidy Chapman
Maurice: Alex Eliasen
Lefou: Adam Weinreb
Babette: Makenzie Kennedy
Chip: Emily Pisacreta
Wardrobe: Prashasti Upadhyay
Silly Girls: Olivia Burns, Rosemary Deluca, Michelle Yamnitsky
Gaston's Cronies: Matt Beetham,Daniel Combs, Jonathon Coombs, Jack Fraser
Monsieur D'Arque: Emery Grearson
Narrator: Dillon Clancy
Prince: Oliver Gorham
Enchantress: Illana Stinson
Rose: Allie Tankel
Wolves: Makenzie Kennedy, Molly McQuaide, Michaela Verrette, Katie Wolfendale
Castle Inhabitants:
Catalina Aycardi
Jenna Bortolussi
Julia Carzo
Natalie Kushner
Sarah MacGregor
Molly McQuaide
Nicole Poirier
Mary Rose Saad
Tatiana Tompkins
Destiny Vallejo
Michaela Verrette
Anna Vrountas
Katherine Wolfendale
Townspeople:
Julie Barbanti
Maya Marciano
Lauren McDowell
Brynn Moynihan
Rory O'Brien
Anna Shahtanian
Kunal Vaishnavi
Ceceila Veira
Sophia Wang
Sage Zipeto
BEAUTY & THE BEAST
Friday, Feb. 10, Saturday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m.
Wood Hill Middle School
11 Cross St.
$10 advance, $12 door
More info: 978-623-8925
