On stage at Heights: “Beauty and the Beast”

Jaxon Smith (Gaston; junior) is surrounded by adoring Silly Girls, Rebekah Steffen (junior), Taylor Zuber (senior), Sierra Keel (junior), Ansley Reid (senior) and Caitlin Hartwick (senior). (Photo provided)

Hamilton Heights High School’s Performing Arts is pleased to invite you to “Be Our Guest” as they present their newest theatrical production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

Gabe Young (senior) and Alyssa Potts (junior) rehearse a scene between Belle and Beast. (Photo provided)

The show brings an old favorite to stage and features the hard work and collaboration of over 75 students from all of Heights’ arts programs under the direction of Brooks Myers (theatre), Jennifer Kitzmiller (choir) and Billy Cox (band). Additionally, set building and marketing support has been provided by students under the direction of Taylor Myers (fine arts) and Julie Oelschlager (business).

Beauty and the Beast will be paired with music, lights and special effects, along with a spectacular visual of a variety of costumes, the props and custom backdrops.

Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over 13 years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Gloria Merrell (senior), Alyssa Potts (junior) and Sophia Lamoreaux (junior) rehearse a scene between Mrs. Potts, Belle and Madame de la Grande Bouche. (Photo provided)

This “tale as old as time” tells the story of Belle, a young woman in a small French town, and the Beast, who is actually a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. Others taking the spotlight include Gaston, an all-brawn, no-brains man who is set on wooing Belle and a cast of inanimate household objects who guide the young lady on her journey.

The Beast must learn to love and be loved in return in order to break the curse, but time is running out quickly. With each passing day, he along with his household will be doomed for the rest of eternity.

There will be three showings with the musical, premiering 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8 at the Hamilton Heights High School Auditorium, 25802 State Road 19, Arcadia, as well as 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov 9 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10. A 15-minute intermission is planned after Act I.

Jaxon Smith (junior) and Chloe Bontreger (senior) rehearse a scene between Gaston and LeFou. (Photo provided)

General admission for adults is $7, $5 for students, and children age 3 and under are free. All patrons need a ticket. Presale tickets are available at this link, and Eventbrite ticket holders will be seated 45 minutes before showtime. Tickets will be available at the door with immediate seating 30 minutes before showtime.