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Spotlight Youth Theater to stage 'Beauty and the Beast Jr.'

Lovers of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" will want to check out Spotlight Youth Theater Kane County's version of the magical musical.

Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all the wonderful songs from the film, plus new songs written especially for the Broadway version like "Home," and "Human Again."

Performances are Thursday through Sunday at Burlington Central High School's performing arts center.

The Daily Herald caught up with director Christy Chapel of Elgin to learn more about the show.

Q. What is your background with Spotlight Youth Theater?

Chapel. I have been involved with Spotlight since fall of 1998, starting out as a student and performing in 16 shows with Spotlight and now teaching classes and directing shows. "Beauty and the Beast" will be my 11th Spotlight show that I have directed or been a part of the directing team.

Q. Why did Spotlight choose "Beauty and the Beast" for its winter play?

Chapel. I think they probably picked "Beauty and the Beast" because it is such a great show and has so many roles for so many different ages. Audiences of all ages also love this show.

Q. Explain the casting process. How easy or difficult is it to find young actors who can act, sing and dance, for the lead and supporting roles?

Chapel. The casting process for any show is quite difficult really. Whether we are casting a show with 60 kids or 90 kids, the casting process is really like a puzzle. Each kid needs to fit into their role while still making sure that every other part is covered. Casting takes an entire weekend, starting with auditions, callback deliberations, then callbacks and casting deliberations. So much time, thought and prayers go into each casting process.

All of the students auditioning for our shows are also required to take a class, so they are all being trained in dance, acting, vocals, and specialty areas before even auditioning for our shows.

Q. What is the age range of the actors in this play, and how many are in the cast?

Chapel. Our cast ranges in age from 8-18. We have 88 students in "Beauty and the Beast."

Q. Briefly explain the plot of this story. Are you doing the Disney version of "Beauty and the Beast" or an abbreviated/updated version?

Chapel. We are performing Disney's "Beauty and the Beast, Jr." version of this show. The storyline follows the Disney movie. Audiences will be transported to a French provincial town where the beautiful Belle lives with her father. When he doesn't return from a trip to a local fair, Belle rushes off to find him. She discovers he is being held captive in an old castle by a hideous Beast. She trades her freedom for his, and the magical "tale as old as time" begins.

The story is really about the change that can take place in a person when they know they are loved and then extend love in return.

Q. What have been some of the difficulties or challenges in putting together this production?

Chapel. One of our biggest challenges in this show has been working through the Beast's transformation scene when he changes from the Beast back into the Prince. The amount of time that we have to work with is very short, and so that has been a challenge for us to make the transformation look realistic and still happen in a short amount of time.

Q. What do you think audiences will like best about this show?

Chapel. My hope is that the audience will leave our show feeling energized after having relived one of the most classic Disney movies out there.

This movie was such a part of my childhood and brings back such good memories for me. I hope it brings back good memories for everyone who comes to see the show.

I also love watching little kids' faces light up when they get to meet a Disney princess in person.

For tickets, $12-$14, or details, visit www.spotlight.org/ or call (847) 516-2298.

Nathan Holmer, 18, plays Lumiere and Yenashi Castillo, 16, plays Babette during a dress rehearsal for the upcoming Spotlight Youth Theater Kane County production of "Beauty and the Beast Jr." The show follows the Disney version of the story. COURTESY OF SPOTLIGHT YOUTH THEATER KANE COUNTY
Amanda Spencer as Mrs. Potts, Abbie Ludwig as Chip, Ariel Gray as Belle, Yenashi Castillo as Babette and Moriah Gilman as the wardrobe work on a scene during a rehearsal for the upcoming Spotlight Youth Theater Kane County production of "Beauty and the Beast Jr." COURTESY OF SPOTLIGHT YOUTH THEATER KANE COUNTY

If you go

What: Spotlight Youth Theater Kane County's production of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast Jr."

When: 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 and 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 26-29

Where: Burlington Central High School Performing Arts Center, 44W625 Plato Road, Hampshire

Tickets: $12-$14 in advance, $2 additional at the door

Details: Visit <a href="http://www.spotlight.org">www.spotlight.org/</a> or call (847) 516-2298.

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