On Thursday, March 7th, the curtain rose on the sold-out run of Byron-Bergen Drama Club’s presentation of “Beauty & the Beast”. More than just a replica of Broadway, the Drama Club created a uniquely local presentation with original costume and set pieces, including a wood-chopping machine designed a built by the High School Technology Club. They also included several references to local businesses and humorous cast interactions such as a student actress facing off against her real-life father during the battle for the enchanted castle. From the imaginative shadow puppet narrations to the enchanted cheese grater, the Drama Club had the audience completely under their spell.
The young cast is anchored by senior actors HannahRae Amador, Aurora Hiscutt, Malachi Smith, senior pit band percussionist Quintin Rich, and numerous experienced performers from last year’s presentation of “Hairspray”. Amador supports the village and castle ensembles as both an enthusiastic pub manager with a Viking helmet and mean pirouette as well as a feisty coatrack, not afraid to defend the castle with loud whistles and impeccable comedic timing.
Hiscutt joins the hysterical quartet of “silly girls” swooning after the vain and villainous Gaston. Hiscutt is a team player, bringing beautiful harmonies, giggles, and shrieks to the quartet as well as stepping out into the spotlight for solo work.
Rich is the only student-musician in a pit band full of seasoned professionals, but that’s no problem for B-B’s phenom drummer. Rich keeps the beat rolling from curtain to curtain including an epic three-minute drum solo of his own composition which acts as the lone score for the castle battle scene.
Smith takes on the title antagonist turned hero, cursed into a monstrous appearance and racing the clock to return himself and his enchanted household to human form. He balances Beast’s fierce roar and explosive temper with soaring tortured ballads which highlight his skilled vocals. Smith impresses both with his physical acting as he single-handedly battles a pack of wolves and the tenderness which transcends his claws and prosthetic headpiece during his interactions with Belle.
Gianna Clark is masterfully expressive, creating a Belle who is more than just an avid reader, but whose affection for her father and enchanted friends is as real as her ever-growing contempt for her supercilious suiter, Gaston. Clark’s vocal performances show not only her range and precision as a singer, but her talent for living the character through the song.
Gaston, played by Roman Smith, at first seems nothing more than an arrogant buffoon with silly one-liners about his thighs, but R. Smith unleashes flashes of Gaston’s cruelty, peaking as he and his sidekick Lefou whip up a frenzied mob of townspeople to storm the Beast’s castle. Lefou is played by Teagan Williams who demonstrates his talent for physical comedy in a performance full of prat falls, spills, and some truly astonishing choreography which he nails while also belting out lead vocals in the pub scene.
The enchanted castle is staffed by a cast of magical objects with personalities as huge as their dance numbers. They are led by veteran performers Rylee Burch, Abby Cook, Bradley Pocock, Michael Rogoyski, and Jade Wolff. Burch takes the role of Madame de la Grande Bouche, an opera performer turned wardrobe whose commanding soprano melodies are as graceful as the unexpected ease with which she handles the complex choreography despite being a large piece of furniture. Abby Cook doubles as Babette, the feather duster, and a primary dancer in several villager scenes. Also a Dance Captain, Cook’s fancy footwork brings energy to all the dances and helps maintain the storyline of ongoing flirtation with the debonaire candelabra, Lumiere played by Pocock. Pocock is effervescent, delivering over-the-top puns and punchlines in a rococo suit and powdered wig. His scene-stealing levity is in sharp contrast to the curmudgeonly clock, Cogsworth, played by Rogoyski. Rogoyski nails the strait-laced, “tightly wound” timepiece with a pompous but good-natured air and bursts of hilarity and sincerity that bring the character to life. Wolff rounds out the troupe, literally, in a huge, willow-patterned hoop skirt, taking on the role of Mrs. Potts, the teapot. Wolff delivers charm, personality, and the iconic title solo. Her smooth, dynamic vocals set the scene for Belle and Beast to fall in love.
The supporting cast of villagers and enchanted objects bring depth to the musical as each performer, too numerous to mention individually, embody unique characters such as the baker, pin cushion, farmer, potted plant, tailor, or chandelier. The ensemble pulls in the crowd as they fill the stage will energy during the epic musical numbers such as Belle’s opening stroll through town, “Human Again”, and the showstopping “Be Our Guest”. The stage crew, led by Estelle Dumuhosky and Maryn Meier, also played a pivotal role in moving the story seamlessly from village to castle and through to the storybook ending.
The Jr./Sr, High School students are joined by several elementary school students who danced their way through “Be Our Guest” as forks, spoons, and dinner mints. Third-graders Austyn Krol and Naylee Robinson share the role of Chip, the teacup. Both young ladies deliver energetic and adorable performances. Also joining the cast are 6th Grade Teacher Ken Rogoyski as the lovable, zany Maurice and Aaron Burch as the menacing asylum manager, Monsieur D’arque.
Byron-Bergen’s production of “Beauty & the Beast” was directed by Alyson Mercedes Tardy, musical direction by Joe Paris, pit band direction by Kevin Bleiler, and choreography by Solange Rodrigues. Thank you to all the staff and volunteers who made the production possible and congratulations to the amazing cast and crew.