Creative Arts Presents Beauty and the Beast

The extensive ensemble cast of the Creative Arts summer program filled the stage at the with music and drama as they performed the junior stage version of the Broadway production "Beauty and the Beast" August 19 and 20.

Drawing students in a range of ages from 30 neighboring communities the school's mission is, in part, to instill a desire for creative expression and through that expression connect individuals within the community.

By watching the cast of children ages eight to 16 perform and speaking with some of its members it's apparent that their mission is being fulfilled.

"I started in the school last summer and loved it so much I came back," said fifth grader Rebecca Cory of Reading.

What makes Rebecca so enthusiastic? "The way they teach you here is so different," Cory explained.

"We do things the way adults do them," the young thespian continued. "We're shown how to act in adult parts and we do it. The director and all the people who help us believes we can do it. And then the acting feels real."

So when the play portrays the young village girl Belle maturing and falling in love it's believable. When her love redeems the prince who is under an evil spell rendering him beastly and inhuman, the audience gets it.     

Not only the prince but all the objects in his castle are restored to human life. After the company embraces their redemption in the song "Human Again" Belle and the Beast declare their love.

"We are so pleased with what are students are able to accomplish," stated Executive Director Jennifer Hart. "We have approximately 85 percent of our students with us in our yearly program and returning for our summer session for several consecutive years." 

Volunteers Susan and David Roberts of Wakefield said their son Max has been in the program four years.

"Angela (Merrill), the director is wonderful with all the kids," Susan Roberts said.

"Wait 'til you see what they do here tonight," added David Roberts. "This is a super organization. The kids all work together in spite of the age differences. They learn so much and have fun being challenged."

These actors can also ad lib with humor when the situation calls for it. When a piece of the scenery fell in the first act the character of Gaston, played by Jason Glenn an eighth grader from improvised. He won applause from the audience when, with perfect poise and without missing a beat he said, "Oh, Belle. You're so beautiful the sky is falling."

Visit their website for more information on art, music and theatre classes.