Andover Townsman, Andover, MA

Arts/Entertainment

February 9, 2012

Beauty & Beast: Tale as old as time at Wood Hill

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

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