The main cast of CHS’s Beauty and the Beast rehearses in costume for the first time Wednesday, Jan. 20.
CHS Drama Club Presents Beauty and the Beast
CROMWELL - Students in the Cromwell High School Drama Club cordially invite members of the community to be their guest for the upcoming production of Beauty and the Beast.

       Director Roslyn Greenberg said the 26-student cast and crew has been working tirelessly on this family-friendly production of the classic French fairy tale, which she calls â€"a more grown-up version of the Disney show.” Some of the music has been expressly written for the Broadway show, she added.

       Students, parents and volunteers have been hard at work since November building an elaborate set over the past few months. This past Wednesday, the cast had the opportunity to try on the costumes, borrowed from Schuylerville Community Theater in New York.

       â€"It feels like it’s fast approaching,” said cast member Claudia Emmanuele, who portrays one of the â€"silly girls” who pine over antagonist Gaston, played by Justin Slifer, along with Kayleigh Pier, Katie Ricard and Jillian Millette. â€"We have a lot of different talent each person brings into it, coming together for one really good show.”

       Playing the â€"silly girls” comes naturally for the four, said Pier.

       â€"We are extremely silly,” she said with a laugh. â€"It’s 100 percent real. They go through every emotion that a stereotypical teenage girl would go through, just like us.”

       The girls added this has been not only one of the strongest casts in recent years but the closest as a group, as many of the students have worked with each other for four years.

       However, there are plenty of freshmen in this show, including Jenna Liseo, who plays Chip. While Liseo has performed in several Cromwell Middle School productions, she said it’s â€"a lot more intense” at the high school.

       It’s old hat for senior Blaise Serra, who plays the Beast opposite Emma Randazzo as Belle. Serra has acted in numerous productions at Cromwell schools, including starring as Peter Pan in a middle school production.

       The Beast is a slightly different role, said Serra, and portraying the â€"duality of the character” as both â€"the beast” and â€"the prince” is a new challenge. Serra added it channels one (or, perhaps, two) of his favorite characters: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

       Ricard took a momentary break from her silly character to thank the parents and volunteers for their generous help on set.

       â€"It wouldn’t happen without them,” she said.

       Beauty and the Beast will take the stage in the Cromwell High School auditorium Friday, Feb. 19, and Saturday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. each night. To order tickets, please call 860-632-4841, ext. 24900.
MORE CROMWELL NEWS  |  STORY BY KATELYN KELLEHER  |  Jan 27 2016  |  COMMENTS?