“Tale as Old as Time” Comes to East High
East High presents “Beauty and the Beast” November 12-14.
When the eastside feeder schools began arriving at East High School this morning for a sneak preview performance of Disney’s Beauty & the Beast it was immediately clear that the audience was in the mood.
As school buses arrived and emptied their passengers were greeted by cast members as they climbed the front stairs of East’s grand main entrance which leads directly into the school’s auditorium/theater. Just about any female cast member in a dress was presumed to be (the Beauty) Belle and swarmed for hugs.
Yes, there was a strong Disney heroine vibe going and once the crowd was seated and the show began it only intensified.
East Drama Director Jamaal Allan is in his sixth year at the school and he says this is the second production to stage an advance showing for the feeder schools.
“We tried it last year with Annie,” Allan said just before show time Tuesday morning, “and it was well-received by the younger kids. Plus it’s a good run-through for our cast and crew before the full performances this weekend.”
As the excited theatergoers settled in their seats Allan worked the room; high-fiving the patrons, prancing playfully in the aisles and listening to younger siblings of thespians who are part of B&B. Right before the curtain rose he gave a brief lesson in audience etiquette. Then the auditorium lights dimmed and it was on with the show!
The crowd played its part perfectly. There were giggles and guffaws when Gaston put his best moves on Belle and gasps upon the entrance of the Beast, all right on cue. Eyes widened and jaws dropped at the sight of menacing and acrobatic wolves lurking in the woods where Belle’s father gets lost. It’s one thing to watch an animated film version of the “tale as old as time,” another entirely to see it unfold in live action before your very eyes.
Just when he had them mesmerized, after the big ensemble number that ends Act I (Be Our Guest), Allan stopped the show and turned up the lights.
“We’d like to invite all of you back to be our guests this Thursday, Friday or Saturday,” he announced. “Each of you will receive a free ticket to a weekend performance. Please bring your families and come see what happens next!”
Like any true showman knows, you always want to leave them wanting more.
Show times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights @ 7:00 and Saturday afternoon @ 2:00. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students. NOTE: The Saturday matinee performance will have sign language interpreters.
CAST
The Small Provincial Town
- Belle – Wren Gamble
- Baker – Brandan Williams
- Bookseller – Joseph Cano-Zelaya
- Gaston – Brent Nery
- Silly Girls – Afi Atchale, Marisol Gonzalez, Lexi Lingner, Urania Pacas
- LeFou – Nic Graziano
- Maurice – Logan Gamble
- Monsieur D’Arque – Tim Schonkaes
The Enchanted Castle
- Beast – Jon James
- Mrs Potts – Eva Bradley
- Lumiere – Cristian Rodriguez
- Cogsworth – James Stanton
- Babette – Echo Kermoade
- Wardrobe – Katy McCaull
- Chip – Courtney Young
- Rug – Amy Sigmund
- Footstool – Valeria Cruz
- Broom – Kyleana Whitmore
The Featured Dancers
Carlos Alvarez, Tiffany Contreras, Caleb Enos, Brittany McGilvara, Arminda Neppl, Taylor Seals, Trinity Wignall, Antonesia Williams
The All Mighty Ensemble
Morgan Beery, Madi Belcher, Kira Caulfield, Ana Delgado, Cassandra Fiscus, Katie Huck, Nawal Rai, Rachel Reidburn, Sia Turner, Kyleana Whitmore, Alyssa Vitiritto
The Storytellers
- Mom/Narrator – Maria O’Brien
- Daughter (Age 4) – Kapri Kunkel
- Daughter (Age 10)– Belle Headlee
- The Handsome Prince – Zack Kuehler
PRODUCTION CREW
- Director – Jamaal G Allan
- Music Director – Traci Squires
- Assistant Director – Katelyn Buckton
- Electronic Orchestra Design/Operation – Thering
- Choreographers – Allison McCaull & Brent Nery
- Additional Choreography by Tiffany Contreras
- Shadow Design & Choreography – Maria O’Brien, Sia Turner, Brent Nery, Tiffany Contreras
- Stage Management – Gordon Riley Lear & Dillon Van Gundy
- Running Crew – Brandy Cam, Marcos Gonzales, Hannah Hall, Jordyn Johnson, Jose Marquez
- Lighting Crew – Myles Boone, Brandy Cam, Isabel Casas, Calvin Pundzak
- Sound Board Operators – Nick Loffredo, Andrew Tenzer
- Costume Design and Construction – Sia Turner, Afi Atchale, Ana Delgado, Amy Gamble, Anette Bierkamp
- Set Construction & Painting – Brandan Williams, Mike Graziano, Rich and Mona Fiscus, Brett Sandy, Nick Pilling, Maria O’Brien, Donovan Blotzer, Jevon Coleman, Taylor Coleman, Kimberly DeAvila, Tyler Emmons, Hannah Hall, Dakota Hamel, Anthony Martinez, Noah Phillips, Terry Stockbauer, Grace Whitfield, Cast & Crew
- Publicity – Vidal Spaine
