Rehearsals Underway for Glassboro High

GLASSBORO – Rehearsals are well underway for Glassboro High School's production of the Disney musical Beauty and the Beast, slated to run Thursday-Saturday, March 1, 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the school auditorium.  The ambitious production has brought the entire community together for talent recruitment, fundraising, set building and a special one-night-only pre-show tea party to introduce young children to the larger-than-life characters.

Children attending the show on Friday, March 2 are invited to attend a Tea Party with the Characters with seatings at 5:45 and 6:15 p.m.  Tickets are $6.00 per child, and admission includes juice and cookies and a chance to visit with characters and get their autographs.  Advance reservations for the show and the Tea Party are highly recommended. 

This tale of a young woman who falls for a vicious beast turned handsome prince requires the talents of a huge cast.  Recognizing this challenge, director Anne Marie Weaver recruited students from across the school district to fill some of the roles. "This is one of the largest productions the school has staged in many years with elaborate scenery, lighting and costuming demands," said Weaver.

The cast includes Shannon Dalton as Belle; David Wible as the Beast; Wesley Volz-Price as Gaston; Kendall Appleby as Lefou; Bridget Appleby as Mrs. Potts; Melanie Poff as Chip; Sabina Cook as Cogsworth; Ryan Breen as Lumiere; Hannah Appleby-Wineberg as Babette; Carolyn Provine as Madame Bouche; Logan Greer as Monsieur D'Arque; Ian Volz-Price as Maurice; and Kelly Dalton, Brianna Bankster, and Kasey McCarver as the Silly Girls.

The ensemble cast includes Natalie Angelo, Von Armstrong,  Natalie Ciesi, Sabina Cook, Erica Devitt, Kaya Durkee, Katie Fanz, Nick Felker, Cassie Ferrara, Brendon Finely, Elizabeth Haines, Enrica Iacovone, Alyssa Kurke, Kaitlyn Meddick, Jonathan Meddick, Lauren Mickle, Natsha Nieves, Marissa Ortega, Quentin Ortega, Sarah Perez, Claudia Perez, Emily Provine, Phoebe Pugh,
Sherilyn Sinning, Marissa Smith, Noah Tamaska and Micaela Woerner.

Due to the large technical demands of this show, many professionals and semi-professionals are involved, including Set Designer Tom Weaver, Lighting Designer Jeffrey Bettencourt, Sound Designer Joseph W. Schramm, Technical Director Matt Browne, Costume Designer Frances Dalton, Hair Stylist Michael Hicks, and Make-up Artist Deb Faye. 

The cast has been working hard to raise money to bring in Flying By Foy--internationally known for flying sequences since Peter Pan first hit Broadway--to stage the transformation scene.
                   
"The community involvement in this show has been amazing." said Weaver. "We have parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, alumni, and friends all out here working side by side with the cast, stage crew and their advisors to build and paint amazing sets and create incredible costumes. 

Tickets for all performances are $10.00 for adults and $8.00 for children, students and seniors.  Tickets can be ordered in advance by contacting 856-881-8065 or ghsdramatix@verizon.net.  Glassboro High School is located at 550 Joseph Bowe Blvd. in Glassboro.