Libertyville High School continues with 'Beauty and the Beast'
Libertyville High School students continue their performances of their fall musical "Beauty and the Beast" this weekend. Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128 Communications Director Mary Todoric tells us what you need to know.
Q. Briefly, what is this play about?
A. "Beauty and the Beast" is a classic tale of a prince who is transformed into a beast. He becomes a recluse, and along the way saves a local girl, Belle, from an attack by wolves. He brings her to the castle as a prisoner, they fall in love, the villagers revolt, and in true fairy tale fashion, the beast is ultimately turned back into a prince and they live happily ever after. The lesson learned: Things are not always what they appear to be.
Q. What type of play is this?
A. "Beauty and the Beast" started as a Disney animation and was turned into a stage production. I'm sure most of the audience will know the words to every song!
Q. Tell us what you know about the author, and the history behind this play.
A. It is based on the book by Linda Wolverton.
Q. What's the appeal of doing this play from your point of view?
A. It is one of the few plays that we have done that will draw a much younger and, therefore, broader audience. There is a big appeal to this play since so many people have watched the Disney version over and over with their children. I still own it on VHS!
Q. What makes this play fabulous?
A. The way that we are transforming a cartoon into real people. The costumes and set design are amazing. We're actually turning students into knives, forks, teacups and candle sticks.
Q. Without giving too much away, is there a "don't miss" moment, and when does it come?
A. There is no part that should be missed. This production hits the ground running and doesn't slow down until the final curtain.
Main cast
Belle: Claire Salata
Beast: Tim Heller
Gaston: Carl Lundstedt
LeFou: Jonathan Hutchins
Maurice: Mark Rhind
Lumiere: Willson Oppedahl
Cogsworth: Drew Mills
Babette: Jillian Campbell
Mrs. Potts: Allyson Womack
Chip: Bradford Reszel
Madame de la Grand Bouche: Anna Oleksinski
Monsieur D'Arque/Menu: Ben Paulson
Silly Girl 1/Wine Glass: Kiersten Frumkin
Silly Girl 2/Cruet: Mary Kate Bueltmann
Silly Girl 3/Cruet: Becky Goldberg
Beggar-Enchantress/Plate: Aleah Gattone
Bookseller/Pie Server: Kevin Kahover
Narrator/Villager/Egg Beater: Emma Dreher
Ensemble
Villager/Rug: Brent Austin
Villager/Plate: Cassie Austin
Villager/Knife: Martin Benion
Fishman/Spoon: Brian Bleck
Villager/Salt: Jocelyn Q Brame
Villager/Gargoyle/Wine Glass: Mackenzie Bruce
Villager/Wolf/Fork: Chris Bryant
Baker/Corkscrew: Henry Caldwell
Milk Maid/Bud Vase: Shannon Campe
Egg Man/Fork: Mark Cooper
Aristocratic Lady/Napkin: Rachel Cotey
Villager/Plate: Kelsey Cullum
Villager/Wolf/Knife: Erik Engstrom
Villager/Napkin: Molly Goldberg
Villager/Fork: Mickey Gregory
Lady with Baby/Napkin: Bri Hays
Villager/Plate: Kelsey Hutten
Hat Seller/Napkin: Tara Jensen
Villager/Plate: Audrey Johnston
Chandler/Spoon: Mitch Kraemer
Villager/Napkin: Anna Mayworm
Villager/Plate: Sean Bell McDermott
Villager/Pepper: Kasey Michel
Sausage Girl/Cheese Grater: Mary Milius
Lady with Cane/Napkin: Emily Milius
Villager/Napkin: Rosie O'Connor
Villager/Wolf/Knife: Brian Pahng
Villager/Plate: Sarah Prinz
Villager/Spoon: Kyle Rawlinson
Villager/Plate: Christy Scanlan
Villager/Wolf/Knife: Jeffrey Trout
Villager/Gargoyle/Napkin: Teresa Veselack
Shepard Boy/Broom: Eric Villaneuva
Production Staff
Director: Tim Frawley
Conductor: Dustin Helvie
Choreographer: Eryn Brown
Choral Director: Dr. Jeffrey Brown
Set and Lighting Design: Kevin Holly
Technical Director: Kevin Holly
Assistant Technical Director: Edward Skinner
Costumer: Andrea Townsend
Audio Consultant: Rob Klein
Ticket Manager: Willa Innis
Student Production Staff
Production Stage Manager: Val Michelotti
Assistant Stage Managers: Kalyn Constable, Michael Milius, Beth Remler
Master Carpenter: Adam Pfluger
Assistant Master Carpenter: Sarah Baquiran
Master Electrician: Danny Pozen
Assistant Master Electrician: Chris Bryant
Audio Engineers: Sam Sorkin, Jonathon LeBlond
Costume Mistress: Ellie Feely
Properties Mistress: Alaysia Ray
Scenic Charge: Anne Sledd
Dance Assistant: Madeline Partain
House Manager: Kaylah Henderson
Followspot Operators: Rachel Lester, Alysse Ray
<p class=factboxtext12col><b>What:</b> Libertyville High School presents "Beauty and the Beast"</p> <p class=factboxtext12col><b>When:</b> 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13-14</p> <p class=factboxtext12col><b>Where:</b> Libertyville High School, 708 W. Park Ave.</p> <p class=factboxtext12col><b>Cost:</b> $4 for students, $5 for adults. Available only at box office.</p>