Oh, to Be Human… Western Middle School to Stage Beauty & the Beast

Cast and crew at Western Middle School are finalizing preparations for three performances of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Junior this weekend.

Shows are Friday, March 31 at 7:00pm, and Saturday, April 1 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm. Tickets are on sale before and after school. Evening seats are $10 and the matinee tickets are $8.00.

Beauty and the Beast is the story of Belle – played by Joelle Singer Jensen – a smart, beautiful young woman who loves to read and feels like an outcast in her own village.

When her father Maurice – played by John Trudeau – is captured and taken prisoner inside a mysterious castle, Belle sets out to rescue him.

She offers herself as prisoner in the place of her father and becomes prisoner of the Beast, played by David Brown.

The Beast is an angry and repulsive monster who is trapped inside his grotesque form by an enchantress.

The only way for the Beast to become human once again is to learn to love and be loved.

The catch is that there is a deadline for his transformation. Once a magical rose drops all of its petals, all hope will be lost.

The Beast’s enchanted household includes Mrs. Potts (Andrea Rivera), Lumiere (Archer Manning), Cogsworth (Jane Freyer) and Chip (Emma Gioffre), push Belle and the Beast to become friends.

As their feelings grow, the clock ticks away and petals fall from the enchanted rose, leaving the audience in suspense through the final acts.

Gaston (Brandon Berkowitz) and Belle (Joelle Singer Jensen). Photo: Leslie Yager

The show’s Producer/Director is Johanna Kolar.

Music Direction is provided by Justin Brehm.

Kendall Moran is the show’s choreographer.

Scenic Design is courtesy of Michelle Rudolph.

Costume Design is by Andrea Vaz.

Set construction is by Pierre Vaz.

Lighting Design is by Aaron Johnson.

Ticket sales are handled by Karen Anderson and Jillian Corey.

The program was designed by Alisha Barry.

The costume assistant is Mariana Louloudis.

Heidi Hupal is the make up assistant.

The parent coordinator is Maria Navarro.

Sound is provided by Marc Hiller Productions.

Gaston (Brandon Berkowitz) with the silly girls Olivia Legein, Kate Konigsberg, Carissa Gennarelli. Photo: Leslie Yager

Western Middle School’s winter musical, Beauty and the Beast, will be performed on Friday March 31 at 7:00pm and on Saturday, April 1 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm. Photo: Leslie Yager

Western Middle School\’s winter musical, Beauty and the Beast, will be performed on Friday March 31 at 7:00pm and on Saturday, April 1 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm. Photo: Leslie Yager

Email news tips to Greenwich Free Press editor [email protected]
Like us on Facebook
Subscribe to the daily Greenwich Free Press newsletter.