Last Chance To See Beauty And The Beast

For a night of energetic entertainment, including some fine singing by newcomer Gabrielle Eam as Belle, take in the classic Disney musical Beauty and the Beast at Columbia Heights High School tonight at 7 p.m.

With a cast and crew of 53, ranging from seniors with years of drama experience to first graders, this BATB has plenty of colorful action onstage, as the students sing and dance new life into the old story of the redeeming power of love. And the diversity of the cast members helps underscore the theme of looking beneath the surface to see the real person.

Belle
Gabrielle Eam, 16, a junior in her acting debut, is an enchanting Belle, with a clear, strong voice that held its own even when the stage was filled with two dozen "villagers."

In a case of art inspiring life, Eam said particpating in the play "expanded my bubble. It helped me get out of my personal space. I've gotten to know people I wouldn't have spoken to before."

Mrs. Potts
The other female lead, Elizabeth Miske (Mrs. Potts), 18, a senior, echoed that thought: "[Being in the play] has brought me closer to a lot of people I never would have talked to before. And now they're some of my best friends."

After graduation Miske plans to attend college in Mankato and continue in the theater arts by majoring in costume design and minoring in theater.

The Beast
Another newcomer in a leading role is Xavier Steverson, a 17-year-old senior who plays The Beast. He was an imposing presence onstage and ably conveyed the conflict between what the Beast was and what he wished he could be.

Steverson said he loved being onstage. "I can feel the crowd's response and I just feed off of that."

The Director
Jill Jungers teaches English, journalism and communication arts at CHHS and is the drama director. This is the seventh musical she has produced and she is especially enthusiastic about this play's cast and crew.

"We have a very diverse cast, and I think it speaks well of our school that we all can work together and create a top-notch production," Jungers said. "We're an inner-ring suburb with a high percentage of free school-lunches and people don't realize we have tons of talent. This production really showcases that talent."