All-women cast brings 'Beauty and the Beast' to West Aurora High
It's not easy playing the role of a man in an all-woman cast -- let alone the role of a bad guy.
But for all but one of her last 19 plays with the Aurora Junior Woman's Club, Sue Rahn has done just that.
Maybe it's her alto voice. Or perhaps it's her willingness to wear platforms to boost her 5'5" height.
Whatever the case, the role seems to suit her.
She's played Jafar in Aladdin. In Jack and the Beanstalk, she played the giant -- with the help of 6-inch wooden platforms. And this week, she'll take the stage as Gaston in the Aurora Junior Woman's Club production of Beauty and the Beast.
"I'm just horribly typecast," she said.
Only once has she played a woman when she landed the role of the fairy godmother in the club's production of Cinderella.
But it's not the role that's important to her. It's the play and what comes with it -- the money the club raises to help provide dental services to children whose families can't afford it and the fun in putting on a family show -- that matters.
"It's the best of both worlds," said Stefanie Leo, who saw the club's plays as a child and will play the role of Belle in the upcoming play. "It's theater, which I love doing and all of it goes to charity, which is a good cause. You get to do something fun and at the same time you're helping out the community."
Like other cast members, Leo enjoys playing the roles and seeing the children's reactions to the play. Cast members often mingle in the crowd, meeting the children and signing autographs.
"It's a great feeling when you know they have enjoyed (the show)," Rahn said.
Although the club typically does well-known fairy tales, they add their own twists to the show -- such as singing a number from High School Musical to close out this year's show of Beauty and the Beast. In 1985, the cast sang the "Super Dwarf Shuffle" to honor the Bears.
"We try to put a twist on each of the shows to get the most out of the production," said Rahn, who also does set design for the shows.
Proceeds from the $5 tickets benefit the Aurora Dental Children's Clinic, a program the club operates to provide dental services to children. The club works with local dentists to negotiate reduced fees and uses money collected from the play to cover the reduced costs.
The club also makes donations to local school theater programs, the Make-A-Wish foundation and other area charities.
The club will put on its production at the West Aurora High School auditorium, at 1201 West New York St. in Aurora. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. Friday, and at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday.
Tickets to the show can be purchased by calling Diane Wildy at (630)897-6690 or Pat Dawson at 630-897-2835.
Tickets also may be purchased at the following local businesses: Abe & Doc's Goodyear Service, 108 S. Batavia Avenue, Batavia; Ace Hardware, 2144 W. Galena Boulevard, Aurora; Colonial Drugs, 1032 Prairie Street, Aurora; Old Second Bank, 1230 N. Orchard Ave, Aurora; Old Second Bank, 555 Redwood Drive, Aurora; Oswego Bank, 10 North Madison Street, Oswego.
How to join
The Aurora Junior Woman's Club has been putting on plays for more than 40 years. Though the club has decreased in size, the play remains a vital part of the club and is its main fundraiser each year.
The club is seeking new members to ensure the show will go on. Anyone interested in joining the Aurora Junior Woman's Club should call Laurie Davis at (630) 897-5880. Club membership is open to women aged 18 and over who are no longer in high school.
The cast
Stephanie Leo of Aurora (Belle)
Ann Marie Decker of North Aurora (Beast)
Margaret Fumagalli of Montgomery (Maurice)
Sue Rhan of Aurora (Gaston)
Lisa Roscoe of Aurora (Lefou), Madelyn Weed of Aurora (Lumiere), Sandy Murphy of Montgomery (Babette)
Julie Albright of Aurora (Cogsworth)
Sara Snyder of Montgomery (Mrs. Potts)
Julie Pealstrom of Aurora (Chip)
Carol Fick of North Aurora (Monsiuer d'Arque)
Jill Fischer of Sugar Grove (Enchantress)
Cherie Esposito of North Aurora (Narrator)
Mattie Greenacre of Aurora (Baker)
Bette Weaver of Aurora (Bookkeeper)
Sandy Stetzer of North Aurora (Bar Maiden). Chorus members: Michele Abadie of Montgomery, Kathy Dabney of Oswego, Emily Dabney of Oswego, Pat Dawson of Aurora, Lynn Dreymiller of Batavia, Cindy Harris, Janet Joy of Aurora, Cindy Laurent of Aurora, Cheryl Miller of Aurora, Amy Nitsche of Sugar Grove, Emily Padilla, Dianna Pealstrom of Aurora, Stephanie Perez of Oswego, Vanessa Tolliver, and Diane Wildy of Batavia.