Livingston High School Students to Perform Beauty and the Beast

The performers, musicians and technicians of Livingston High School invite the community to four upcoming performances of “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” from Thursday, March 19 to Saturday, March 21.

The student performance of the popular musical will include the songs from the animated movie.

Director Janene DePalo stated in a release that she chose the classic piece for its many great character parts and opportunity to showcase the LHS Theatre with a production appealing to all ages.

“LHS has never done a Disney production before and I thought this tale as old as time would be a perfect choice,” stated DePalo, who in addition to directing at LHS, teaches fifth grade at Hillside Elementary School.

DePalo stated that with a cast of over 30 students, her biggest challenge has been costumes, including transforming a student actor into the Beast, and others into inanimate objects like a teapot and candelabra.

Playing the roles of Belle and the Beast are Bailey Grey and Brandon Binsol.

Other featured performers include: Allan Lvov as Gaston; Corinne Ferman as Mrs. Potts and Ryan Healy as her son Chip; Austin Biss as Maurice, Hillary Borker as Cogsworth, Josh Young as Lumiere, Shannon Colonna as Babette, Jared Kirsch as Lefou, Jordan Cohen as Monsieur D’Arque, Jessica Silverman as Madame De La Grande Bouche, Sam Thor as Young Man, Kerry Zak as the Old Beggar Woman, Kerry Zak (Dance Captain), Gabrielle Gross, and Molly Greenstone as the Silly Girls; Lauren Critelli, Katie DeGuzman, and Emma Giulianti as the Other Silly Girls.

Townspeople and servants will be played by: Arielle Fuhrman, Meredith Harris, Samantha Kahn, Joseph Lanigan, Marissa Lipschutz, Meghan Nevola, Tilly Pecker, Jackson Rynar, Abi Simko, Amanda Stephenson, and Bhavishy Venigandla.

Michael Jedwabnik serves as musical director, Brian Megaro as technical director, and Gina Montalto as choreographer. Barbara Geiger and Karen Montalto are the costumers.

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $12. Performances will take place in the auditorium at Livingston High School, with curtain time at 7 p.m., and a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, March 21.

Photo caption: Choreographer Gina Montalto works with cast members of Beauty and the Beast, an upcoming LHS spring musical.

Send Livingston news tips toeric.kiefer@patch.com