Kaneland High School presents "Beauty and the Beast" this weekend
Kaneland High School will present Disney's beloved musical "Beauty and the Beast," a tale of love and enchantment, at 7 p.m. today and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday. The school is at Keslinger and Meredith roads in Maple Park.
The weekend includes brunch at noon Sunday featuring food prepared by the school's culinary art class. Children, as well as the young at heart, can dress up as their favorite "Beauty and the Beast" character, and have their photo taken on set with some of the main cast members.
It's all part of the school's 50th anniversary celebration.
"We wanted to pick something that would really showcase the kids for the 50th anniversary," said Ilene Carter, the director. Carter has a master's degree in educational theater and teaches theater and family consumer science at the high school.
The production includes numerous costume and set changes, but Carter believes the cast and crew will be up to the challenge. She said rehearsals are going well, and the auditorium, only four years old, has sophisticated lighting, sound and a "fly system."
"The system 'flies' scenery in and out, very high into the ceiling," Carter said. "It was created to run shows with ease."
Some characters have as many as three costume changes. Belle will be played by Samantha Eichelberger and Bradley Staker will portray Beast. The other main cast members are Brock Feece as Lefou, Kevin Krasinski as Gaston, Joey Kenkel as Maurice, Kendall Renaud as Cogsworth, Bryan Renaud as Lumiere, Bessie Tockstein as Babette, Emily Kenkel as Mrs. Potts, Kathryn Lanute as Chip, Chloe Bluml as Madame de la Grande Bouch and Jake Rosco as Monsieur D'Arque.
Mike Panegouleas is the narrator, James Tockstein is the young prince, Taylor Carlson is the enchantress, and the silly girls are played Emma Anderson, Natalie Sweika and Samantha Vazquez.
The ensemble singers are Krissy Chapman, Caty Delrasario, Amy Dredge, Samantha Johnson, Jen Kuryliw, Molly Lambert, Stephanie Lanute, Amma Navotany, Zac Nolte, Kasey Ostarello, Kate Pietroszak, Nikki Prusinski, Jackie Ream, Leah Richards, Chelsea Roberts, Morgan Roberts, Danielle Rose, Stephanie Rosenwinkel, Caitlin Sharp, Ben Tennant, Kayla Thompson, Mercedes Walper and Jordan Withey. Scott Dykstra is stage manager.
Paula Frasz, a dance professor at Northern Illinois University, is the choreographer. Chad Carlson is the technical director, Ann Tockstein is the set designer, and Aaron Puckett is director of the pit band.