Theater Review: "Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Jr." by Newbury

By Nancy Sasso Janis

Even though it was to be my third visit with Belle and the Beast in the last two weeks, I am glad that I headed to Southbury to catch the final performance of the junior version of the Disney classic musical.

Newbury Musical Theatre Company presented their 2023 Junior Players presentation of “Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, Jr.” this weekend at Pomperaug High School. For two performances, the group of engaged young performers delighted their large audiences in the 900 seat auditorium, with the opening night earning a record attendance in the history of the group that has been in existence since 2008.

Director Jim Tanatore told the crowd that the students had spent the first week of four hour days working on auditioning skills, leaving the leading performers only three weeks of rehearsal to learn their roles. This is no small feat, but everyone clearly worked hard to get this lovely production ready for the stage.

The junior version has been trimmed and runs about 75 minutes, just perfect for the very young patron. I loved the staging for “The Mob Song,” and “Be Our Guest” made a visual impression. I also loved the harmonies by Beast, Belle and the servants in “Something There” and the longing in “Human Again.”

Reagan Baxter portrayed very well the prince who is transformed into a Beast by the Enchantress, played by Redding O’Marra. Camila Reyes was strong in the role of Belle and sang well. This talented young woman will play a daughter in the female ensemble of Newbury’s upcoming “Fiddler on the Roof” that opens on Friday.

The tall Hayden Hughes was a strong Gaston and Mia Thoennessen was a standout in the role of his sidekick LeFou. Zachary Dwyer pushed a kid-sized invention on wheels in his role as Belle’s father, Maurice.

As the enchanted characters, there was Aaron McCann as Cogsworth, the Grandfather clock, Jenna Thoennessen as an extra sparkly Lumiere the candelabra and Madeline Meeker as the operatic and very grand Madam de la Grande Bouche.

Isabel “Izzy” Winer, who will be part of the “Fiddler” cast as my daughter, was an extra lovely Babette. Although her lines were definitely trimmed in this version, she still managed to leave her mark on the production.

Mia McConnon was a charming Mrs. Potts and she got to sing the title song as Belle danced with Beast for the first time. “Dance with her!” This summer McConnon also was cast as Tevye’s daughter Bielke in the upcoming “Fiddler.”Brenna Kirk was an adorable Chip in the traditional cupboard.

Nathan Brewer appeared as Monsieur D’Arque, Christopher Zold and Brooke Fattibene played the baker and his wife and Morgan McCann played the bookseller.

The expanded Silly Girls included Juliana Hakim-Santiago, Isabelle Mario, Allison Pogodzienski, Quinn Schoefer, Rylee Silver, and Gabriela Walsh. This group got to sing the “Madame Gaston” section of the “Belle (Reprise.)” The scary wolves were played by Zold, Maya Dewey and Ava Buono.

Narrators that shared a handheld mic included Taylor Capitanio, Anne Dewey, Avery DiBenedetto and Brooke Fattibene. The very committed ensemble members that played enchanted castle servants and villagers were on all of the time and looked adorable while they did so.

Cynthia Servetas assisted her husband with all of the behind the scenes work in the role of the show’s producer. Their daughter Stephanie Tornatore lovingly worked with the kids as both assistant director and music director. Assistant Director Sabrina Tevolini was in charge of the lovely choreography and another assistant director, Katherine Mucherino was in charge of production.

The truly impressive costumes for the young performers were designed and constructed by Gabrielle Lescadre, with the help of the parents who supplied parts for individual costumes. All of the girls sported carefully pipe-curled hair, adding to the French flair.

The charming set and props were done by parent volunteers, led by Robin Prokopczyk from Scotland Elementary School and the director. In the printed program, special thanks goes out to Eric Schutz and Kim Hanson for lighting and Ron Black for sound. I was able to observe how joyfully Black managed the sound board, thoroughly enjoying the performance.

At the closing performance, the eldest students that will age out of the summer program took to the stage with poise to thank the production team and present each of them with a bouquet.

Congratulations to all of the students and the adults who worked with them on a great show.

All rehearsal photos courtesy of Newbury Musical Theater

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.