NFV to perform 'Beauty and the Beast'

 

Leads Samuel Thomas (the Beast) and Alexa Pleggenkuhle (Belle) look forward to performing in a play adaptation of the timeless Disney classic “Beauty and the Beast.” Three performances will be presented in the NFV Performing Arts Center, Nov. 6-8. 

 

NFV to perform 'Beauty and the Beast'

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

You’ve all seen the classic Disney movie “Beauty and the Beast.” Now see it come to life on stage in the North Fayette Valley’s Performance Art Center (PAC) Friday-Sunday, Nov. 6-8.

The tale begins with an enchantress casting a spell on a young prince, turning him into a monster after he refuses refuge from the cold for a rose. The Beast, played by Samuel Thomas, has to learn to love and earn the love of another before the last petal falls off an enchanted rose on his 21st birthday, or remain a monster forever.

“It is definitely not me, so I am trying to put myself in that place to understand it,” Thomas said about playing his character, “so that I can have that real emotional connection to it and make it as real as it can be. I like the fact that I can be someone I’m really not; I usually don’t yell or have anger.”

The Beast is joined in his bewitched castle by Lumiere, the lovestruck candelabra, played by Trevor Weidemann; the flirtatious feather duster Babette, played by Drew Wedemeier; Cogsworth, the pompous clock, played by Helena Fantz; Mrs. Potts, a teapot, played by Jenna Bemiss; and the former star-turned-wardrobe Madame de la Grande Bouche, played by Kacee Franzen.

Meanwhile, Belle, played by Alexa Pleggenkuhle, is busy warding off advances by handsome suitor Gaston, played by Weston Fantz, and his sidekick, Lefou, played by Eiler Merkle. In a desperate attempt to win her affection, Gaston attempts to have the insane asylum director, Monsieur D'Arque, played by Brandon Busari-Okoro, lock up Belle’s father, Maurice, played by Bryce Smith.

“There is a lot of practice that goes into it,” Pleggenkuhle said about playing her character Belle. “You have to make sure your voice sounds like a Disney princess; you have to try and act all sweet, and there is just a lot to think about. You try to sound more sweet and more gentle.”

The timeless story will be presented at noon Friday, Nov. 6; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8. Advance tickets can be purchased at $8 for adults and $4 for students. There will be a $1 handling fee added for those who purchase their tickets at the door. However, there will be a special $2 price for students, faculty and senior citizens attending the Friday showing. All those attending have the chance to purchase a “light-up” rose for $5 to be used during the transformation scene to light up the PAC.

“[The play] is pretty sweet,” Thomas closed. “It is just really fun and entertaining. I would love to see some of the kid’s faces, too, when they see it, just enjoying it.”

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