The Disney classic “Beauty and the Beast” will be presented by the Warrenton High School theater students with four shows beginning Thursday, May 2 at 7 p.m. In addition to Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m., a matinee will be held Saturday at 2 p.m.
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The Disney classic “Beauty and the Beast” will be presented by the Warrenton High School theater students with four shows beginning Thursday, May 2 at 7 p.m. In addition to Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m., a matinee will be held Saturday at 2 p.m.
Alexandra Simons, theater teacher at the high school, has been planning the musical presentation since last April. She knew doing it right was going to take a lot of work and a lot of dollars.
“I really felt like we needed to offer a matinee,” she said. “Seating will be limited to 400 people per show. We really wanted to make sure everyone could come see it, especially the kids.”
Belle is played by Becca Spencer. She said she’s excited to play the role of her favorite Disney princess.
“I love singing,” she said. “The most meaningful part of it is working with my mom. There are so many musical parts that it wouldn’t be possible without her.”
Spencer’s mom, Karen Howe, is a vocal teacher who coaches the cast members as they tackle the numerous songs in the musical.
The Beast is played by Noah Agler, a senior at Warrenton High School. He said the cast and crew has formed a great team while working on the show.
“I love Beauty and the Beast being my last show,” said Agler. “I had an opportunity to audition for it when I was in middle school and didn’t do it. It’s a full circle moment for me and now I’m the Beast.”
Agler plans to continue his theater education at Missouri State University next year, with hopes of teaching theater. He expects he will spend a lot of time learning the behind-the-scenes logistics while he’s at college.
Dayne Logan, in addition to portraying Chip, has contributed to the performance by planning all the choreography.
“I started from scratch and based the dance routines on the skill level of the cast members,” said Logan. “I looked at the lyrics and designed the dances by each line of the song. The cast members are doing an incredible job.”
Logan, a dancer, actress and figure skater, is also appearing in a musical called “Between the Lines” at Stages in St. Louis June 3 through July 27.
Simons said costumes were a challenge, but after much research, she found what she needed at the Springfield Little Theater in Springfield, MO. She said she took a U-Haul down and brought all the rented costumes to Warrenton just in time for dress rehearsal Monday.
There are a total of 15 main cast members, with another 20 ensemble members performing in the musical.
Tickets are on sale by calling the high school at 636-456-6902. Reservations are preferred, but seating is limited. Tickets are $10 for adults; $8 for students; $8 for senior citizens and free under three years old.
Main Cast Members:
Belle: Becca Spencer
Beast: Noah Agler
Narrator: Mr. Francis
Old Beggar Woman/Enchantress: Dani Perry
Maurice: Conner Patterson
Gaston: Joe Spencer
Lefou: Wade Petersmeyer
Young Prince/Monsieur D’argue: Kadin Stroer
Cogsworth: Julian Miller
Lumiere: Rylan Arndt
Babette: Olivia Nave
Mrs. Potts: Alexandra Chandler
Chip: Dayne Logan-Blattner
Madame De La Grande Bouche: Alice Briggs
