Can you see the goodness in another person? Or the beauty? Can you put surface appearances aside and fall in love anyway?
These are some of the questions that make “Beauty and the Beast” such a classic tale.
A traditional French fairytale that first appeared in print around 1740, the story has become a modern myth that contributed to the development of many modern movies, including “King Kong.”
The Broadway success of the Disney version has made it a classic tale in contemporary school settings, where it is often examined in gender studies by examining the concepts of female and male roles in society.
The fable and play are similar in that “The Beast” was originally a prince who spurned the efforts of a beautiful enchantress who – to test him – came to his castle in the guise of a beggar woman. Seeing how hard-hearted he was, she turned him into the beast, and turned his servants into household furniture. She also gave the prince a rose, saying he could be saved from his fate if someone professed to love him as a beast before the last petal fell off the rose.
The Disney story involves a young woman, Belle, who eventually comes to see the beast’s inner beauty and falls in love with him.
Boosted by the success of “A Christmas Carol,” Bayonne High School will present “Beauty and the Beast” for three days starting on Friday, March 27, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 28, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 29, at 2 p.m.
The play was adapted for the stage by Linda Woolverton and Alan Menken. Because the play includes more songs than the film and since the original lyricist died, additional lyrics were written by Tim Rice.
The choice
One of the reasons Tim Craig selected this musical for the high school’s spring performance is because Rice and others were also involved in creating “A Christmas Carol: The Musical,” the play that the school put on last December.
Craig said the popularity of the play may generate an expanding interest in the arts in Bayonne.
“I also liked the music,” he said. “It is a good fit for our students.”
Craig noted that many of the same performers who played in “A Christmas Carol” are in the new production, including the same orchestra. The sets of this production will also be just as elaborate.
Mark Squitieri, who played a number of roles in “A Christmas Carol,” plays the lead as the beast in this production.
“I’ve had a lot of help from everyone here. How far to take it and to get it exactly right.” – Mark Squitieri
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“I’ve had a lot of help from everyone here. How far to take it and to get it exactly right,” he said.
Because the beast is a character that changes dramatically in this play, the role can be challenging, he said.
John Buck, who also appeared in “A Christmas Carol,” plays one of the villains in this play – the jealous love interest who tries to stop the beauty from falling in love with the beast.
He said playing the villain is a challenge for him.
Kassie Doherty also takes a dramatic change in role, from playing a ghost for “A Christmas Carol” to playing Belle, the beauty in this play. She finds it challenging to make the role her own.
Brielle Callianese, who previously played Tiny Tim, plays the role of Chip in this play.
“He really is happy all the time,” she said.
John Carlos Arcos plays a candlestick. So this means he has to play this role without gestures.
Tara O’Donnell, who is playing Mrs. Potts, said she wants to see how the audience reacts to what she believes is an amazing show.
Craig said the cast includes 57 performers, not including stagehands, from Bayonne High School and Bayonne elementary schools. The play lasts more than two hours, with a 10-minute intermission.
“The cast has been working after school, nights and weekends on this production,” said Joan Rosen, who oversees the district’s art program. “It is so important for us to understand that the time spent experiencing the arts is a wonderful time to connect with the people we care about.”
The performances will be held in the Alexander X. O’Connor Auditorium at Bayonne High School. Tickets cost $9 for students and senior citizens, and $12 for other adults. For reservations and ticket information, call the box office at (201) 858-0071.