Video Preview: Mission Viejo High's "Beauty and the Beast"

The musical “Beauty and the Beast” runs this weekend and the next, Thursday through Saturday at . The $15 tickets are available for purchase online.

I got a sneak peek of a dress rehearsal. See video above.

I arrived at the Mission Viejo on-campus theater to view the high school orchestra warming up, with young actors and actresses all abuzz and illustrating excitement. It was their first full rehearsal with the orchestra, and I was lucky enough to get a filmed preview for your eyes only. 

Mission Viejo educator Kathleen Cannarozzi-Harris invited me. She is no newcomer to theater and music, teaching drama and dance since 1978, starting in her native state of Pennsylvania. With over 150 productions under her belt, she’s a seasoned veteran when it comes to producing and inspiring young talent.

I asked her to tell me how the “Beauty and the Beast” project came about. 

“The students are enrolled in the Musical Theater Production course and the Stagecraft course for those interested on working backstage. All of our sets are built by students and parents. 

Why "Beauty and the Beast?"

"It was the best fit for our student singers, dancers, musicians and technicians and a challenge to create the fantasy world of a Disney musical," she said.

MVHS Junior Dillon Steckbauer stars as Beast. Senior Caitlyn Baunoch plays Beauty and Junior Eric Jensen plays Gaston.

"Lumiere features Drew Gleason (junior), Mrs. Potts is  Amanda Wexler (sophomore), Le Fou portrayed by Joseph Cowdrey is a freshman, Timmy Finley (senior) is Cogsworth , Jenna Pryor (senior) plays Babette, and VyVy Tran (senior) is Chip. The character Maurice is played by Zane Folta (a junior), and Madam de la Grande Bouche features Julia Cornish, a sophomore.” 

In keeping with introducing students to the real world of auditions, competition and professional preparedness, Mrs. Harris explained the procedure used to choose the talented cast.

“Auditions were held on two days; day one was singing.  All had to perform a song of their choice (32 bars).   Day two was Dance. Students learned a dance combination and performed in groups.  Day three began the call-backs."

Harris joined the all-star music and drama department at MVHS in 1992. Since her relocation to California twenty years ago, she’s been recognized as one of the “Distinguished Woman of Orange County” and received the “Arts Educator of the Year Award.”  In 2008, Kathleen Cannarozzi-Harris was voted SVUSD teacher of the year and has also been the recipient of the California Educational Leadership Award.

The general public is invited to purchase tickets to Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” at www.mvhsdrama.com. Click the box that reads "SeatYourself."

Don’t miss this amazing production. But even more importantly, turn out and support our high school, our youthful talent and our future.

Download the movie