Taking on a story that has been told and retold since 1740, Montezuma-Cortez’s drama department promises that their Beauty and the Beast performance will put a special, musical spin on the classic beloved fairy tale.
This love story will hit the stage on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The other dates for the show are Nov. 14, 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 8 and 16 at 2 p.m.
According to drama department director Nicholaus Sandner, the production dates are a little more sporadic than normal to accommodate the band’s competition that takes place opening weekend. Many members of the cast will be participating in the competition in Utah.
The 120-person cast and crew includes members of the community as well as high school students, including 10 adults and 15 children.
“I really enjoy the adults and kids we have involved in our shows,” Sandner told The Journal. “They’re so helpful and fun. It’s cool to have them involved.”
The well-known Disney tale centers around a cursed prince turned beast, played by Xander Bennetts, and a young heroine who “wants more than this provincial life.” This heroine, Belle, is played by Maecyn White.
The tale follows Belle’s capture by the Beast while trying to rescue her father, their love story and the castle’s quest to break the curse before time runs out. The story’s villain and Belle’s suitor, Gaston, is played by Shawn McAllister.
Sandner said the cast and crew have been preparing for the show for about 10 weeks, and the time has been divided among dance rehearsals, singing rehearsals, acting rehearsals, tech meetings and more. Montezuma-Cortez Middle School’s choir teacher Marla Sitton is in charge of the music.
Dance choreographer Nikki Crowley helped choreograph large ensemble dance numbers that Sandner said the audience will enjoy.
“It was really nice to have someone fresh doing the dance choreography for us,” Sandner said.
Sandner added that the set, which is a castle, is going to be slightly bigger than some of their past sets since it is stationary and won’t have to sit on casters.
Sandner also spoke of some of the more magical elements to the show, which include a “magic stained-glass window” that changes throughout the course of the show to represent the iconic rose that declares how much time is left before the castle’s curse is permanent.
Not only does tech have some complicated elements to coordinate for the show, but the makeup is going to be more detailed than in past shows.
“This show does have more makeup than we’ve done before,” Sandner said. “The Beast has some prosthetic makeup that takes a little while to go on.”
One of the scenes Sandner said he’s enjoyed seeing come together the most is the tavern scene where Gaston sings about how he will win Belle.
“There’s a great dance number in it that involves all of the people in the tavern clinking mugs together in almost a kick line fashion, but clinking them together in a rhythm patter. That’s really fun,” Sandner said. “I think that’s a highlight that’s different from the movie.”
Another aspect that varies from the Disney film is the way the characters are portrayed.
“Our portrayal of the characters when they’re enchanted items is a little bit unique too,” Sandner said. “I’m looking forward to seeing that come together with costumes and makeup and hair, hair styling and all of that.”
Purchasing tickets online hasn't been available for a while, but Sandner said that method is back up and running, and those looking to beat the lines and get their tickets ahead of time can do so.
Tickets can be purchased online at mchsdrama.booktix.com.
