Characters from the Marquette Area Public Schools production of Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ perform the song ‘Be Our Guest’ during a rehearsal. From left are Chip portrayed by Avonlea Kuhlman, Mrs. Potts played by Lane Parks, the feather duster Babette played by Bella Coleman, Roenak Ghiardi plays Lumiere and Jack Bishop as Cogsworth. There will be three performances at Kauffman Auditorium in Marquette spanning Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available online at nmu.universitytickets.com/ or at the door. (Photo courtesy of Sheila Grazulis)

Production review

submitted by Denise Clark

Marquette Senior High School Drama Department presents Disney’s Broadway musical “Beauty and the

Beast and their wonderful production opens this week. This musical needs no explanation or synthesized story line, as it is after all, “a tale as old as time.” That being said, the mere size of this show

is quite an undertaking for a high school as the demands of the technical requirements, set pieces and costumes are overwhelmingly high. Under the capable and creative hands of director Amber Christunus, who not only directed, but also created most everything the cast wore, pushed, or held the show was complete in every way. I can only imagine the long hours and the labor of love “Beauty and the Beast” was for Christunus, and her time was well spent. Before mentioning the incredibly talented cast I must give a nod to Music Director/Producer, Sheila Grazulis, Choreographer, Jill Grundstrom and Eric Marta the Conductor of the exquisite pit orchestra. Bravo all.

For anyone who has either seen this production either on stage or the movie, you surely won’t be disappointed with the efforts of these students. The entire production is colorful when required, dark when expected and is a combination of sincere, honest and beautiful storytelling. As Belle, who fawns over books rather than Gaston, Reya Ghiardi is sheer perfection. On task in every moment on stage, never wavering in her complete and fully realized character, Ghiardi is as good as any actress I have ever watched play Belle, (and yes, I saw it on Broadway). Ghiardi is vocally perfect, emotional, kind and believable.

I can’t say enough about Reya Ghiardi except don’t miss your chance to see her as Belle. Nate Wood also does a great job portraying the distracted inventor and Belle’s father, Maurice.

Sevi Voigt is also a joy to watch on stage as he poses, and attempts to woo Belle in absolutely the wrong way as Gaston. One of the best musical numbers in the show is “Gaston” where Voigt, the chorus andGaston’s posse, led by the talented Quincie Scheidt as Lefou, sing and dance about the glories of being Gaston.

The enchanted castle is filled with familiar characters such as Cogsworth, man turned clock, skillfully and humorously played by Jack Bishop. Lane Parks is just lovely as Mrs. Potts the tea pot and performs the show’s title song beautifully. Mrs. Pott’s son, Chip, Avonlea Kuhlman is delightfully cute, smiley, innocent and did I mention cute?

As Lumiere, Roenak Ghiardi looks fabulous in his candlestick costume and does a wonderful job as the ringleader of breaking the rules of the castle. His Act One ending “Be Our Guest” is joyous and fun and involves the nearly the entire cast. Lumiere’s love interest, Babette, Bella Coleman, is beautifully fun even when she is being jealous. Braggart Madame de la

Grande Bouche is nicely played by Marin Johnson. Special mentions to the Enchantress Petra Frazier and Jonah Hardenbergh as Monsieur D’Arque. I would also like to say that I was able to see teamwork and the show must go on personified in Jonah Hardenbergh during the rehearsal I attended. People like Jonah is why theatre is successful.

That leaves us with the Beast. A difficult role to tackle for a young person, but like his counterpart, Belle, he pleasantly surprised me. The Beast has to be scary, ugly, and hopeless, having been cursed by the Enchantress. The loss of his former self has created an overwhelming meanness. Conversely, theBeast also has to have something that Belle finds to love. Canyon Medina finds the right balance and plays the Beast honestly and gives the audience small glimpses of his heart. Medina wisely chose to find all the right notes and bravely stayed away from a one dimensional performance.

The production is rounded out by students of all ages who sing and dance their way through a fluid and enjoyable performance.

There are only three opportunities to see this production, and I would encourage getting tickets now.

“Beauty and the Beast” plays at Kaufman Auditorium at 7 p.m. Friday and two performances Friday and Saturday 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Don’t miss this high school production, it’s one for the books.

Tickets can be purchased at nmu.universitytickets.com/. They are also available at the door.

Adult admission is $15 and student tickets cost $10 each.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Denise Clark is a local actor and director.