OAKHURST – A special show is coming to “this provincial town,” as the Yosemite High School (YHS) Fine Arts Department brings to life the iconic Disney inspired musical “Beauty and the Beast” for the mountain community, beginning Wednesday, Apr. 23, at the YHS Theater.
This musical adaptation of the 1991 animated film will be performed by 30 YHS students from Advanced Theater Arts and Chamber Singers, backed by a 12-piece orchestra composed of members of the YHS Wind Ensemble and the Oakhurst Community Band.
The YHS production features seniors Kailyn Hammerling as Belle, Edward Nixon as the Beast, Ben Hartesveldt as the conceited Gaston, Dillan Masai as Lumiere, Lance Litton as Cogsworth, Jacob Caldwell as LeFou and YHS Junior Jocelyn Boe as Mrs. Potts.
“This was my favorite fairy tale as a child. It is so exciting to get to play Belle,” says Kailyn Hammerling.
Beauty and the Beast opens Wednesday, Apr. 23, running Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Apr. 24, 25 and 26, at 7 p.m. Saturday will also feature a matinee performance at 1 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students, seniors and children, available from any cast member or at the YHS Student Store.
Tickets will also be available at the door before shows, at $10 for adults and $8 for students, seniors and children
The well known story follows a young woman, Belle, who doesn’t fit into her small town. She looks for her father who is lost in the woods and finds an enchanted castle, which is inhabited by a Beast who’s fallen under a curse and must learn to love to break the spell.
Belle meets a host of enchanted objects and struggles against the angry Beast. Both Belle and the Beast must learn important lessons about love, friendship and forgiveness before they can learn to love each other.
The musical is directed by YHS Fine Arts Department Chair Lars Thorson.
“The musical follows the same story as the Disney movie and has all of the popular songs, but it also has a couple of new songs,” explains director Thorson.
“The musical opened on Broadway in 1994 and has become a very popular show for high schools to perform. It is an enormous challenge, and I couldn’t do it without the help of Musical Director Randy Hyatt and our vocal coach and pianist Jackie Byers. Our show is choreographed by YHS Senior Shelby Pisel. I hope the mountain community will bring the whole family out to enjoy the Disney magic.”
For information on the show, please call the Theater Arts office at (559) 683-4667 ext 256 or the Student Store at (559) 683 4667 ext 324.
