Sixty cast members in Benjamin Logan Middle School and High School’s production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast: The Broadway Musical” are preparing to transport audiences this weekend to the Beast’s mysterious castle, where a love story transpires when the beautiful and intelligent Belle must take up residence there.
Co-Director Michael Dove said this is the first time the district has been able to pair this musical with a full-fledged pit orchestra, made up of professional musicians alongside eight BLHS students. The orchestra is directed by Myles Bowers.
After the difficulties that COVID-19 posed for Ben Logan musicals the last two years — with the 2020 performances of “Guys and Dolls” being canceled just prior to its March run date and then being postponed until 2021 — the students in grades 7-12 are excited to be able to join together for the large-scale performance this year.
“Rehearsals have been going really well, and we’re looking forward to this weekend,” said Dove, whose co-director is Marleen Godsey.
“We were lucky this week to have Tuesday off school for parent-teacher conferences — the students got in a full day of rehearsals that day during the regular school day. It really helped to polish things up.”
The first showtime was Friday evening to a sold-out crowd. Performances continue today at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the BLHS auditorium. Tickets are available for purchase through the online BLHS box office.
The lead roles of Beast and Belle are played by seniors James Buffington and Ezrah McGue, respectively.
Brawny Gaston, who tries very hard and unsuccessfully to capture Belle’s attention, is played by junior Luke Adams, and his sidekick LeFou is played by eighth-grader Holden Zehner.
Belle comes to the castle to rescue her father, Maurice, played by Micah Musser, who has been imprisoned there. The benevolent Belle takes her father’s place at the enchanted location that has been placed under a spell.
She is treated like royalty by the castle’s inhabitants, including Cogsworth, played by Zander Thompson; Lumiere, played by Tyler Barnes; Mrs. Potts, played by Hannah Phillips; and Chip, played by Paxton Henry.
The only way for the Beast to break the spell become a human again is if he learns to love and be loved in return. However, once the magical rose loses all of its petals, all hope will be lost, and he will stay a Beast forever.
Fellow cast members include: Madame, played by Emma Gradias; Narrator, played by Olivia Hahn; Monsieur D’Arque, played by Kaeleb Ostrander; Babette, played by Kate Hahn; Les Fille 1, played by Avery Green; Les Fille 2, played by Savannah Pugh; Les Fille 3, played by Greyson Wagoner; Baker, played by Eric Hughes; Marie, played by Olivia Hahn; Bookseller, played by Mason Welty; Candlemaker, played by Lorali Klopfenstein; Tavern Master, played by Kaycee Cook; Shepherd, played by Wyatt Levan; Crony, played by DeLaney Ratle; Sausage Curl Lady, played by Isabella Gonzales; Laundry Lady, played by Bre Allen; Milkmaid, played by Ellie Heim; Flower seller, played by Emarie Bensman; Hat seller, played by Kate Hahn; Wolves, played by Ethan Van Winkle, Charley Hardman and Kamryn Gilmore; Old Beggar Woman, played by Avery Green; Enchantress, played by Kayla Horney and Prince, played by Ethan Van Winkle.
The village and castle chorus features: Avery Green, Savannah Pugh, Greyson Wagoner, Annika Chappell, Eric Hughes, Olivia Hahn, Jacey Koehler, Catherine Bramlage, Charley Hardman, Autumn Jacques, Mason Welty, Lorali Klopfenstein, Kayla Horney, Emily LeVan, Ethan Van Winkle, Madison Watkins, Kaycee Cook, Wyatt LeVan, DeLaney Ratle, Kamryn Gilmore, Kaeleb Ostrander, Lake Kren, Alayna Johnson, Isabella Gonzales, Bre Allen, Susan Hempker, Reece Plikerd, Sophia Harris, Ellie Heim, Emarie Bensman and Kate Gulick.
The stage crew includes: Laykin Thomas (stage manager), Autumn Durflinger, Sage Kren, Seth Kuhn, Emily Williams, Gracie Hunter; and tech crew: Meristin Comer and Micah Peterson.
Orchestra members include BLHS students Parker McGowan, Katherine Vickroy, Evan Wall, Brice Shump, Isaac Napier
Taylor Lafferty, Sadie Staats and Ras-D Ahnutae; BLHS graduate Jillian Davis; and Shalem Loritsch, Marianne Antram
David Sapp, Emily Dove, Ellen Kidd, Carol Burton, Dennis Crites and Izik Cox.