Dover-Sherborn High School is bringing the enchanted world of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” to the stage in Mudge Auditorium on Thursday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m.; Friday, March 18, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, March 19, at 1:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
It has been three years since the high school students have performed a musical in Mudge Auditorium after “Mamma Mia” was canceled heading into show week in March 2020 due to the pandemic. After years away from the stage, the cast, crew, and orchestra comprising over 60 high school students are thrilled to be back performing for their community.
Sophomore Antonio Saenz trying on the costume for Cogsworth that was made by his older sister, Senior Marisol Saenz who is making all of the Object costumes and will be in the role of Belle.
Many cast members are not only portraying characters on stage, but they are taking on additional roles behind the scenes. Emmeline Morgens, who will be in the role of Chip onstage, trained in Florida under a professional special effects artist to learn how to do custom theatrical prosthetics. This training came into good use in designing and creating the intricate and fierce look of the Beast. Morgens applied alginate mold powder, a substance derived from seaweed, to the faces of the two seniors double cast as the Beast, Sam Thompson and Tommy Shea. From the molds, she is designing customized prosthetics to fit their individual facial features which will eventually transform Thompson and Shea into the Beast.
Two senior cast members are sharing the responsibilities of designing and creating the sensational costumes for the show. Lauren Kelley, who is heading up backstage crew, is taking on the “human” costumes including the gorgeous yellow gown for Belle and the handsome blue suit for the Beast. In the role of Belle, Marisol Saenz is also making the “object” costumes outfitting Miss Potts in a teapot costume and transforming Lumiere into a candlestick.
Seniors Jenna Eiten, who is double-cast as Belle, and Izzy Taylor in the role of Lumiere are choreographing the dance numbers for the show, as well as teaching the cast the dance routines. Eiten says of their approach: “In creating the choreography, we kept in mind throughout the process that this show is quite literally an animated cartoon, so for us that meant every movement had to be exaggerated and full of energy.” In addition, Taylor is heading up the Hair Committee for the show, ordering wigs and planning hairstyles.
The DSHS production of Beauty and the Beast is sure to be entertaining for all ages and provides a great opportunity to bring the entire community together for family theatre at its best. In addition to the show itself, there will be an art exhibit in the cafeteria for viewing beforehand and during intermission. The exhibit will feature the artwork of students from all four schools in the district – DS High School, DS Middle School, Pine Hill, and Chickering.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased www.ticketstage.com or at the door.
