Journey to stage ‘Beauty and the Beast Jr.’ this weekend
MADISON – The ‘tale as old as time’ will unfold this weekend as Journey Middle School presents “Beauty and the Beast Jr.”
The Journey cast and crew will present the musical in James Clemens High School Auditorium on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 22 with a matinee at 2 p.m. and again at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults. Tickets are available with the app s2pass and at the event. Any guest will receive free admission with donation of a new pair of children’s pajamas for the Alabama Foster Closet.
This classic musical follows a prince who has been enchanted to transform into a beast. If he can overcome this obstacle and find his one true love, the spell will be broken. He meets Belle, a contrary small-town girl who longs for a storybook life. Will she be the one to break the spell?
This production from Disney includes music by Alan Menkin; lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice; and book by Linda Woolverton.
Terrena Mann is directing the musical. She teaches beginning, intermediate and advanced theatre at Journey.
Cast members in character roles are Aiden Dolman (Beast); Scarlett Leo and Aurora Pinkston (Belle); Addisyn Buchanan and Caylee Townsend (LaFou); Emily Suschinsky and Lucas Wisswesser (Gaston); Lily Merrill and Gexciel Cuesta-Morales (Maurice); Megan Thompson and Lincoln Wright (Cogsworth); McKinley Crenshaw and Emma Hamby (Lumiere); Leah Richardson-Howard and Eliana Silvia (Babette); Makaylyn Couch and Mya Wilson (Mrs. Potts); Jack Johnston and Anisiia Stremska (Chip); Julia Benson and Grace Minter (Madame de la Grande Bouche); and Lorelai Verge (Monsieur D’Arque).
A newcomer to theatre, eighth-grader Emily Suschinsky is handling a special challenge. When Emily auditioned for “Beauty and the Beast Jr.,” she wanted the role of Gaston, because she knew a small number of boys were auditioning.
“Emily was shocked and excited to get the role of Gaston and has had an absolute blast with the character,” Katelyn Bowden said. Bowden is Hair and Makeup Stylist for the show.
“This may be the first time in Alabama history that a girl has taken on such a ‘toxic masculine’ role. Emily does so amazingly!” Bowden said. “She has worked hard to make her version of Gaston as funny and over the top as possible. Folks are surprised to hear that such a girly girl is playing the role of ‘the manliest man in town,’” Bowden said.
