PONCA CITY – Evans Academy of Children’s Performing Arts along with the Poncan Theatre invite the entire family to “Be Our Guest” to see Beauty and the Beast July 12-14 at the theater. Admission is $12 for adults and $8 for children 12 years old and under.
Eddie Dixon directs the lavish production of the “tale as old as time,” featuring a cast of more than 50 area youngsters who bring to life the well-known French fairy tale. Dixon said he had been asked three summers ago to do the musical but felt at the time that thee undertaking was too big. However, this year “because to the growth of the program, and of the willingness of the staff to assist [with production and costuming], we decided to go for it,” he said.
The result is a spectacular performance of lively singing and dancing accompanied by an outstanding orchestra conducted by Chad Anderson. Elaborate backdrops take the audience to a village street, an enchanted castle and a tavern. (Watch for the tankard dance.).
Landon Smykil of Newkirk, who shares the part of the bad-tempered Beast with Brayden Smith, says the play is “unlike anything you’ve ever seen. It’s bigger, special lighting, smoke and mirrors.” Kate Branstetter, Ponca City, who along with Kira Pendleton, plays bookloving Belle, calls the show “magical and very heartwarming.”
Veteran actress Evie Larson, Ponca City, alternating with Sydney Meeker as Cogsworth, the very British clock who heads the castle staff, describes the role as “very animated, extremely tense, fun to scream and order people.” Chloe Anderson understudies the role.
Seven-year-old Mackenzie Kyler, Ponca City, who with Porter Hunt plays Chip, the Cup, is making her second appearance in an Evans Academy performance. She likes the costumes and riding in the big cart, so she doesn’t have to walk. Brynn Liberton understudies the role.
Several other roles are double cast with actors appearing in alternate performances. Ava Roche and Kendra Stolhand portray Mrs. Potts, the castle cook, now a teapot. Emma Deming and Abby Garrison, play Lefou, loyal sidekick of Belle’s would-be suitor Gaston, with Faith Ballinger as understudy. Abby Davis and Emma Valgora double the role of Madame De La Grande Bouche, with Addison Kyler as understudy.
As the musical opens on a dance in the castle, Sean Anderson narrates the beginning of the tale as an Enchantress/Beggar Woman (Brylen Liberton) turns the haughty, selfish Prince into a hideous Beast and his staff into household objects in retaliation for being refused shelter in return for a rose. Her spell can be broken only if the Prince learns to love and is loved in return before the last rose petal falls. Liberton’s spell-casting dance is enchanting to watch.
Nathan Anderson’s energetic performance as Gaston is a masterpiece of acting, and the hapless Lefou gives a great comic performance. Mrs. Potts is appropriately matronly, calm and comforting while little Chip is appealing as a Teacup. Madame La Grande Bouche (the Big Mouth), an opera singer as a human and now a Wardrobe, has a hilarious moment as she helps defend the castle by emitting an earsplitting high note.
Mason Smykil, understudied by Kaden Swords, ably interprets the part of the very French valet Lumiere, now a candelabra, while carrying on a mock feud with Cogsworth and a flirtation with Babette, the flighty feather duster portrayed by Carli Pendleton and understudied by Cloey McLaughlin.
Also noteworthy are Kade Burkett as Maurice, Belle’s eccentric inventor father; Monsieur D’Arque, warden of the insane asylum; Emmie Harnden. Baker; and Haylee Kyler, Bookseller.
Gaston’s groupies, the Silly Girls, are Elizabeth Coffman, Amberlynn Kelly, Jocelyn Kuhlmann, Taylor Lovec, Lynna Storm and Lauren Zimmerman.
Included in the Ensemble, playing Villagers, Wolves, Flatware and Mob, are Jillian Boynton, Aleah Hankins, Mikaela Hardesty, Addyson Harmon, Hannah Koomsa, Antonia Lopez, Miranda McCarty, Kinley Pappan, Nevaeh Parent, Jayla Paul, Lucas Pena, Andrya Sindorf, Blaikly Sindorf, Taylee Slavin, Audrey Steffey, Hallie Steffey, Andrew Tate, Hadleigh Terry, Miranda Terry, Samantha Terry and Andie Wood.
Set and sound designs are by John Kuhlmann; costume design, Kalyn Kyler; makeup and wig design by Sasha Reedy; lighting design, Dixon; graphic design, Paige Larson and choreography, Jessica Swain. Carli Pendleton serves as dance captain with Kate Branstetter as assistant dance captain. Darcee Schwartz serves as photographer.
The production crew also includes Andrea Storm, stage manager; Roseanne Cockriel, properties; Ryan Brown, light board operator/design; and Kerri Pappan and Jennifer Pena, spotlight operators.
Performances of Beauty and the Beast are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 12; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13; and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 14. Tickets are available at the Poncan Theatre box office telephone 580-765-0943.
The post Evans Academy Of Children’s Performing Arts And Poncan Theatre Present BEAUTY AND THE BEAST appeared first on Ponca Post.