Disney musical in New London
By Jim Paul
Rehearsals have been underway for New London High School’s latest production, the Disney musical, “Beauty and the Beast.”
The play will premiere in the New London High School Auditorium at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4 with additional showings at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6.
“Beauty and the Beast” focuses on the relationship between the Beast, a prince who is magically transformed into a monster and his servants into household objects as punishment for his arrogance, and Belle, a young woman whom he imprisons in his castle in exchange for her father.
To break the curse, the Beast must learn to love Belle and earn her love before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose or else he will remain a monster forever.
“Well (the play) is the classic beauty and beast tale, so you have your beauty and you have the beast, so it is not what is on the outside.” said Molly Brown, the play’s director. “It is what is on the inside that matters, so that is what you have to look through everything else to find it from within.”
When asked why they choose to do “Beauty and the Beast” Brown said, “Mr. Spindler and I have both done it before and we have the cast for it, we have some great talent and it is fun. We have not done Disney in a while so it is fun to bring it back.”
The play is several months in the making, tryouts were held in the spring with rehearsals starting shortly after and continuing through the summer.
The play has more than 50 students involved between actors and stage hands plus the pit band which is comprised of mostly students and a few adults.
The role of Belle is played by Rachel Schuler and the Beast is played by Zong Xiong.
In addition to Brown as director, Kevin Spindler serves as music director, Alex Rambo is the pit band director and Mia McCartney is the stage manager.
Tickets are $15 for adults and 8$ for children 10 and under and can be purchased on the schools website or at the door.