Building on the success of its fall comedy, the Lawrence High School theatre company is set to take on the Broadway version of the Disney classic, Beauty and the Beast, scheduled to open March 19.
Directing the well-known musical has been a dream for Lorie Baldwin, now in her 11th year as LHS theater director.
“This has been a show I’ve wanted to do for a long time in my career as theater director,” Baldwin said. “I love the music and the story. I also know students were really into it and wanted another blockbuster after our success with Legally Blonde last year.”
For the students involved in the musical, taking on such a well-known play was a welcome surprise. Many of the students grew up watching the animated Disney movie and were eager to take on the challenge.
“I was surprised but also excited. I did not expect it to be Beauty and the Beast,” said senior Kevin Quis, who is set to play the role of Beast. Quis was attracted to the role because it would give him a chance to show off his singing range.
For some students, their character roles often reflect their own personality. Aaron Katlin, a junior playing the role of Gaston, said his personality had prepared him to play the role.
“I feel like I walk around school like the big man on campus,” said Katlin, who feels a certain attachment to the braggadocios antagonist.
Playing the role of Belle, senior Amanda Peterson feels a huge surge of confidence that comes with playing one of the leading roles.
“This definitely gives me a lot of confidence and has taught me to be more confident in myself,” she said.
To pull off his role as Lumiére, the candelabra that comes to life, Chad Costa needed to do more than work on his singing.
“It’s a lot of working on my accents and being able to hold up the candles,” said Costa, who focused on strengthening his arm muscles to be able to fulfill his role.
Past shows put on by the students have been well received by the LHS community and students, Baldwin said. Other past performances have included Oklahoma, Legally Blonde and Annie.
The musical is set to be performed at 7 p.m. in the Lawrence High School auditorium on Thursday, March 19; Friday, March 20; and Saturday, March 21. Tickets will be available at the door. Students and senior citizens tickets cost $6; adult tickets cost $8.
–Michael Nunes
