Preview of the Abington Heights Production of "Beauty and the Beast"

The months-empty doors to the auditorium are once again being filled with the melodic score of this year’s AH drama production. Behind the velvet curtain, months before its contents extend to the public, students are diligently learning lines and eagerly awaiting the moment when those curtains finally open.

Overview:

This year’s play, Beauty and the Beast, has already kicked off rehearsals, and the cast could not be more eager to be able to portray the timeless characters and story of this beloved classic. 

Cast: 

This year’s cast consists of talented students from all grades. Junior Siena Bossi will be playing the role of Belle this year alongside John Roman Vachino, who will be the Beast. The villain this year will be played by Ben Mott, in his role as Gaston. Senior Aidan Lam will be playing Lefou, Gaston’s comedic sidekick. Maurice, Belle’s eccentric and kind-hearted father, will be played by Cayd Specio. Inside the castle, where the magic of Beauty in the Beast comes to life, Dane Huggler will be playing the energetic French candlestick, Lumiére, and Anais Butovich will be Cogsworth, the slightly uptight and comical clock. The loving Mrs. Potts, accompanied with her adorable son Chip, will be played by Capri Pettinato and Aniyah Mendez. Last in the castle are Ava Smolley, playing Babette, the castle’s maid turned to a feather duster, and Liz Cowgill playing the elegant Wardrobe (Madam de la Grande Bouche). The full cast list is attached below.

What to Expect: 

While several people have experienced the enchantment of Beauty and the Beast on the screen, seeing it come to life on stage is an entirely new experience. “It's a classic that everyone knows,” says Aidan Lam (Lefou). “It's catered towards kids, but people of all ages can come to enjoy the musical. I think the fact that Beauty and the Beast is canonized as a Disney classic is what draws people to want to see it; everyone knows it!” 

We can expect the play to become open for the community in early December, but until then the cast will be rehearsing for hours on end to make this production another one the community will love. Sharing similar sentiments to other cast members, Dane Huggler (Lumière) adds, “I think the community will love the energy that myself and my fellow cast mates put into the show. There’s also large, over the top numbers that the audience will recognize and love just as much as the original.”

Clearly the cast is already in the midst of preparing a spectacular show that people of all ages will enjoy. The community is sure to recognize the dedication the cast will have put into recreating this ‘tale as old as time’ when it goes live.

Performances will be Friday, Dec.1 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m.