‘Beauty and the Beast’ performance starts Friday
Beginning in October each year, nearly one-sixth of the students at North Stonington Elementary school set aside their plans on Monday and Wednesday afternoons and crowd into the school’s multipurpose room for Drama Club.
Fifty-nine students put down their backpacks and fidget in their costumes while they await direction from Kelly Gonzalez, school secretary and director of the school’s Drama Club.
Gonzalez, in her third year directing the Drama Club, chose this year’s production of “Beauty and the Beast” despite the production being aimed at middle school students.
It’s her favorite movie, and there was the additional excitement of the live-action remake starring Emma Watson. But above all, she said, she felt that her group of student actors could get it done.
“They have confidence in themselves … (there’s) sacrifice after school, they put a lot of time into it,” Gonzalez said. “And the end result is so worth it.”
The show, which will be performed at North Stonington Elementary on Friday, March 24, and Saturday, March 25, features Ellen Anderson as Belle, Reese Main as the Beast and Ben Lewis as Gaston.
The kids get the script in the fall, and work hard as they begin rehearsals that last through the holidays, with choreography and music added later.
In her third year in drama club, Reese Main said acting provides a good outlet for her.
“At home you’re usually not allowed to yell,” she said. But during drama, “you can yell and dance and sing.”
It’s free to participate, and students receive additional coaching help from media specialist Kerry Schacht and reading specialist Sharon Thompson, who makes all of the costumes. Music teacher Mike Noonan also plays piano and volunteers his time helping students improve their musical ability during rehearsal and during recess and lunch.
And each year every student manages to stick with the program – no one gets cut or drops out.
Those who come to performances can expect some professional level choreography and singing, Gonzalez said, “as well as some tear-jerkers.”
Performances will be at 7 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are free, but seats must be reserved by calling (860) 535-2805.
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