Disney’s “Beauty and The Beast Jr.” will be presented at the Millstone Performing Arts Center. Pictured, left to right, are students from the Millstone Township Community Education theater class who have leads in the show — Cassandra Leach (Cogsworth), Ellie Mashkevich (Lumiere) and Gianna Noto (Belle). Area residents are invited to “Be Our Guest” at an enchanted performance of Disney’s “Beauty and The Beast Jr.”
Children in the Millstone Township Community Education theater class will present the play at the Millstone Performing Arts Center, 5 Dawson Court, at 7 p.m. April 23 and 24. Tickets will be $5 at the door.
The cast of 58 children are pupils in the first through fifth grades. The play features music by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, and songs by Menken and Tim Rice.
During “Be Our Guest,” most of the cast members will be transformed into forks, knives, plates and cups while they are singing and dancing to one of the most exciting songs of the production.
“Our play is very close to the version done on Broadway, but it has some modifications that make it suitable for children to perform,” said Gina Whalen, who wears multiple hats as director, musical director and choreographer.
This is the fourth musical Whalen has undertaken to direct in the community education program and she complimented the crew, parents and the cast members who “work hard.”
“I have a great team,” she said. “The parents help with the costumes. Jamie Allaire of Jackson is leading the set crew and set design. The children are doing an amazing job. They are rising to the occasion, meeting the challenges and blowing me away with their hard work and talent.”
“Beauty and The Beast Jr.” tells the story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
“This show is probably the most challenging production we have done in the community education program,” Whalen said “The sets, costumes and music are all very complex.”
The role of Belle will be shared by six young actresses: Emma Morris, Christina Riviello, Maura Whalen, Gianna Noto, Maeve Touhey and Emma Bogusz.
There will be role sharing for the other lead characters as well. Gaston will be played by Giuseppe Scibilia and Aidan Mc- Govern; the Prince and Beast will be played by Alex Stillwell and Evan DeRose; Lumiere will be performed by Ellie Mashkevich and Brielle Peerboom; Cogsworth will be played by Cassandra Leach and Alexa Oliviera; Mrs. Potts will be portrayed by Laura DePinho, Isabel Tonielli and Angelina Velalva.
“I am incredibly proud and amazed at this cast every time we rehearse,” Whalen said. “I think this will be the best show we have ever done. Every year we seem to raise the bar.”