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MHS Drama Club Prepares for Beauty and the Beast

Mark your calendars, clear your schedules, the Manchester High School Drama Club is putting on a show – Beauty and the Beast! The show dates are Thursday, April 23 at 7 p.m., Friday, April 24 at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 25 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 27 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.

This is an ambitious undertaking by the Drama Club, as this show has many challenges: difficult costume changes, a large cast, lots of singing and dancing, and more. When asked why she had decided to take on such a big project, Mrs. Emily Duncan, adviser of the Drama Club, replied, “The directors and I have been wanting to put on a Disney musical for a while and we knew it would be pricey and a lot of work. Despite this, we also knew it would be rewarding to offer a family friendly musical for all to come and see.”

And family-friendly it is. This play is fully of funny jokes and perfectly placed puns. Not only that, the kids participating in the musical have worked extra hard, juggling both school work and play practice for months. Caitlyn Baskins, who plays flute and piccolo in the pit band, said, “I like being a part of the musical because it gives me the opportunity to spend time with other people interested in the same thing I am: music. Playing in the pit band has made me a much better flute player, so I am very glad to have joined this amazing group of people!”

The talented cast consists of Rachel Heuser and Gemma Pink playing Belle opposite Tristan Chandler and Sam Korican as Gaston. Zachary Allen as plays Gaston’s sidekick, Lefou. Cameron Denby and Annabelle Otto play Mrs. Potts while Jacob Mann and Jacob Denby play her son Chip. Sarah Walkowe plays the Wardrobe. Dalton Tungate plays Beast. Brandon Pope plays Belle’s father, Maurice. Meet Can Cetin and Sutton Jacobs play Lumiar and Cogsworth. Hannah Sucha plays Babette.

This musical is directed by Duncan, Ms. Claudia Molter (the school German teacher and vocal coach), and Mr. Jared Throneberry, the school band and choir teacher. When asked why she likes doing musicals at the high school, Mrs. Duncan replied, “I think that putting on musicals or plays at Manchester is one of my favorite things to do as a teacher. Performances are true tests of character, and our students overcome fears, gain confidence and friendship during our shows. No test or assessment can show the achievements, accomplishments, and passion of what we do, but the hard work and performances speak for themselves.”

Beauty and the Beast is a story about a young girl who is searching for something more than the “provincial life” she leads in the small French town in which she lives. However, she gets a little more adventure than she hopes for. Come prepared to laugh, cry, and sing along to this fun production starring kids from right here in Manchester. Come out this weekend to support your local Drama Club!

In addition to writing for ������Ƶ, Amelia Herron is the Assistant Student Director of this production.

by News News