Beauty and the Beast
at Centreville High School

Reviewed on February 7, 2015

Katie Wattendorf
Hayfield Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

There's something sweet and almost kind about a high school production's stellar rendition of one of the most loved musicals of all time. Saturday night's performance of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" at Centreville High School was aglow with talented actors, an energetic ensemble, and magical visual artistry that left the sold-out audience smiling until the final curtain fell.

Disney's famous "Beauty and the Beast" is based on a French fairytale written in 1756 by novelist Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont. The Disney movie was released in 1991 and rose to critical acclaim due to Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's lively score and lyrics, along with the engaging screenplay by Linda Woolverton. The movie became the first animated film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, and even won the Academy Awards for Best Original Song and Best Original Score. In 1994, "Beauty and the Beast" became the first Disney movie musical to be adapted for the stage, and ran for over a decade on Broadway.

The beloved tale tells the story of a "rather odd", yet stunningly beautiful, girl named Belle, who lives with her "crazy" inventor father in a small town in France. Belle, unlike the other townspeople, dreams of getting out of her "provincial life" and into the "great wide somewhere" that she reads about in her books. When her father is captured by a vicious beast and locked in his enchanted castle, Belle offers to take his place. What Belle doesn't know is that the Beast is actually a prince trapped under an enchantress's spell placed on him years ago. He and his servants will remain under the spell unless the Beast can learn to love another and have her love him in return, before the last petal of the enchanted rose falls in his 21st year.

Cameron Daly as Belle captured the classic charm of the beloved character while adding her own twist of bolder line delivery, providing an appealingly tougher Belle than the typical rendition. Nick Ingargiola as the Beast displayed astonishing vocal ability in his performance of the heart-wrenching "If I Can't Love Her." Other talented singers included Emily Angelotti as Mrs. Potts, Sam Ahmed as the goofy LeFou, and Nora Winsler in her fantastically funny portrayal of the flirty Babette.

The standout of the show was Joshua Ewalt in the challenging role of Belle's brooding and boorish suitor Gaston. Ewalt gave a phenomenal performance, lighting up each and every scene he was in with his impressive vocals and impeccable characterization. His precise comedic timing and commitment to character left the audience waiting for him to return to the stage. He led numbers such as "Gaston", "Me", and "Kill the Beast", with an ease that can only be attributed to a truly skilled performer. Another highlight was Emilio Canals in his rendition of the suave Lumiere, punctuated with funny line delivery and physical characterization. These two performers were further supported by an energetic and committed ensemble.

Technical aspects were apparent in this production, which included fog, twinkle lights, shadow plays, and rotating sets, all of which contributed to the magical feel of the story. Furthermore, the entire show was successfully choreographed by students, providing clean, simple, and precise movements to complement the complicated songs.

Taking on the "tale as old as time" with newfound energy and heart, the cast and crew of Centreville High School's "Beauty and the Beast" brought life and charisma to this classic musical.

Amanda Hampton
Tuscarora High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

Centreville High School's striking production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast whisks the audience away to the famous fairytale land of talking clocks, hidden castles, and enchanted princes. The musical, based on the 1991 animated movie of the same name, which itself was inspired by the French fable by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, opened on Broadway in 1994. It closed in 2007, making it Broadway's ninth longest-running production, and for good reason. The story of the selfish prince who is turned into a hideous beast for his cruelty and the adventurous, beautiful Belle who learns to love him is a classic tale loved by many around the world.

The talented cast did an impressive job of bringing the well-known characters to life on the stage. Nick Ingargiola tackled the daunting role of the Beast with enthusiasm, and he embodied the Beast's rage convincingly as well as showing the endearing side of the character in his more tender moments. The Beast's gradual transformation from animalistic and bitter to human and unselfish was visible. Joshua Ewalt as Gaston brought an effortless energy to the stage, and never missed a beat with his comedic timing, keeping the audience in stitches. His spectacular vocals, which could be seen in songs such as the hilariously narcissistic "Me" and the lively "Gaston" were remarkably engaging. He was certainly a driving force of the show.

Nora Winsler as the flirtatious Babette was impressive both in her acting ability and her vocal talent. Her beautiful soprano voice brought a captivating element to many of the group numbers, and her chemistry with Lumiere, played by Emilio Canals, was unmistakable. Canals and Andrew Dettmer, who portrayed Cogsworth, were a strong comedic duo while still helping to reveal the Beast's humanity to the audience. Lastly, the members of the ensemble were consistently energetic and spirited, with strong voices as a whole.

The set was charming and eye-catching, especially with the use of the larger-than-life storybook in the first scene, which opened to reveal a shadow screen where the transformation of the Prince into the Beast played out. The set as a whole set the mood for the fairytale atmosphere of the show. Also, the student choreographers, Nora Winsler, Stephanie Rathjen, and Jemma Stratton, did a commendable job, especially with the difficult group numbers such as "Gaston" and "Be Our Guest." The dancers were animated and well-practiced, adding vibrancy to the stage.

Centreville High School took on the challenge of Beauty and the Beast with exuberance and elegance, and gave a compelling, enjoyable performance of the tale as old as time.

Eni Oyeleye
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Red Apple 21 - FCPS

Isaac Hayes once said "If you enjoy the fragrance of a rose, you must accept the thorns which it bears". For the brash and oft-maligned Beast in Centreville High School's enchanting production of Beauty and the Beast, the thorns come in the form of a spell. It takes a beautiful girl named Belle to break the spell and create something long absent in the Beast's heart: love.

Opening on Broadway in 1994, Beauty and the Beast is a stage adaptation of the classic Disney movie of the same name. The production was nominated for nine Tony Awards, and has been followed by many international and touring production, due to its high demand with audiences.

Belle, a beautiful and intelligent young woman, is unsatisfied with her circumstances, "wanting more than her provincial life". She especially wants to avoid any association with Gaston, the town's alpha male, who is unabashedly pursuing her. Through a series of ghastly events, Belle is imprisoned in the castle of the Beast, a former prince who has been cursed by the spell of a sorceress. If the Beast doesn't learn to love and a rose wilts, he will be cursed indefinitely. Aided by a lovable ensemble of enchanted servants, the Beast learns to love Belle, and Belle learns to love him in return.

Beauty and the Beast is well known to audiences everywhere, so the cast and crew faced the daunting challenge of meeting audience expectations. This production did that and more, with a fresh, energetic, and always engaging production that did not disappoint.

Leading the show were Cameron Daly as Belle and Nick Ingargiola as the Beast. Daly provided a steadfast presence, quickly endearing herself to the audience. Her effervescent portrayal of Belle made it easy to understand why a Beast would fall in love with her. The Beast, however, was anything but steadfast, having to complete the most significant character arc in the show. Ingargiola seamlessly transformed from an abrasive and cruel Beast to a loving and tender prince. Ingargiola was responsible for the most touching moments of the show.

Other standouts include Joshua Ewalt as Gaston and Emilio Canals as Lumiere. Ewalt was a lovable antagonist if there ever was one, and his spot on comedic timing and impressive vocals were evident with every action he made on stage. Canals gave a hilarious performance as the suave Lumiere, never dropping his French accent. Other strong performances include Nora Winsler as Babette and Sam Ahmed as Lefou.

Despite some issues with set transitions and sound, the technical elements added greatly to the show. The set was efficiently portable and served the needs of the show well. The lights created some beautiful moments, like every time they would highlight the wilting rose.

Beauty and the Beast tells many tales as old as time, that it's important to look beyond what is initially apparent, that being different isn't really so bad, that fear doesn't have to be crippling, that love is a cure for many ills, and that magic is real. The last one is questionable, but magic was certainly real at Centreville High School's production of Beauty and the Beast.

Sarah Santoro
Stone Bridge High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

A prince in disguise. A beautiful girl. A curse that can only be broken by true love. In classic fairy tale form, Centreville High School's enchanting production of Beauty and the Beast was packed full of magic, conflict, romance, and the talent to back it up.

Adapted from the 1991 Disney film that was itself adapted from a traditional French fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast opened on Broadway in 1994 and ran until 2007. The show, with music by Alan Menken, is the 9th longest running Broadway production in history. Nominated for a myriad of awards, including a Tony for Best Musical, Beauty and the Beast continues to be a popular and beloved production.

The familiar story tells the tale of a young prince who, as a punishment for his unkindness, is turned into a horrifying beast and can only be redeemed by the love of someone who can see past his hideous exterior. In a nearby village, the beautiful and kind Belle spends her days reading, looking after her eccentric father, and fending off the persistent advances of the handsome but conceited Gaston. One night Belle's father loses his way in the woods and ends up imprisoned by the Beast until Belle sacrifices herself to take her father's place. While she is frightened and withdrawn at first, her kind spirit begins to bring hope to the crumbling castle for the first time in years.

Bright and spirited, Cameron Daly's portrayal of Belle had unique spunk and verve. Her interactions with the volatile but secretly kind-hearted Beast (Nick Ingargiola) called to mind classic, iconic scenes.

Joshua Ewalt completely embodied the swaggering, hyper-masculine Gaston. Delightfully cocky and self-assured, every roughish wink or macho flex of his muscles helped bring the arrogant beefcake to life. With strong vocals and slick handling of the choreography, Ewalt's standout performance created a positively villainous antagonist.

Emilio Canals was hilarious and winning as the suave, amorous Lumiere. An honesty and authenticity brought substance to back up the charisma, bringing believability to fantasy and providing convincing chemistry in all of his interactions. With his debonair French accent maintained even while singing and his dashing, jaunty physicality, Canals commanded laughter with ease and lit up the stage.

As the saucy feather duster Babette, Nora Winsler stood out as a talented vocalist. The unmistakable chemistry between her and Canals made their characters' flirtatious exchanges some of the show's most comedic moments.

While the actors gave nods to their animated counterparts, they added their own winning characterizations that were reminiscent but not derivative. The performances brought back memories of the beloved film while still being original and lovable in their own right.

Infectious choreography heightened the production, and, although a few performers struggled a little with the dances, the charm and liveliness of the entire cast made numbers like Be Our Guest and Gaston vibrant, dazzling, and memorable.

Stylized and cohesive, the charming sets transported the audience to the world of fairy tales with a quaint village of lattice woodworking, a magnificent, imposing castle, and shadowy, ominous woods, all impressively detailed and imaginative.

The cast and crew of Beauty and the Beast brought the beloved tale to life with charm, humor, and heart with strong characterizations and authentic relationships. The talent and creativity of the students of Centreville High School created an endearing production straight out of a fairy tale.

Gavin Moore
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - CV

One might assume that a lavish castle filled with animated household objects and an enchanted rose would be a nice place to stay for a night or two, but with a cursed and tempestuous beast as the master of the house, things couldn't be any more different. When an uninvited guest shows up at the door, the Beast is given a second chance to find love and break the spell. In a tale as old as time, the talented cast and crew of Centreville High School invited audience members to be their guest for a fantastic production of Beauty and the Beast.

Based on the beloved Disney movie of the same name, Beauty and the Beast was adapted in 1993 by lyricists Alan Menken, Tim Rice and Howard Ashman. Premiering on Broadway in 1994, the production garnered nine Tony Award nominations and is the ninth-longest running musical of all time. An iconic story loved by audiences of all ages, Beauty and the Beast follows a young woman named Belle, who becomes the prisoner of a hideous prince-turned-beast. Belle and the Beast, both initially stubborn to change, are forced to compromise as the Beast learns to control his fiery temper and Belle learns to not judge a book by its cover.

Cameron Daly combined passion and sass in her portrayal of Belle, demonstrating admirable dedication to her character as she balanced Belle's both considerate nature and tenacious personality. The Beast was played by Nick Ingargiola, whose skillful depiction of the Beast's story arc drew in and made audience members feel sympathetic to his struggle. Ingargiola and Daly exhibited remarkable chemistry that grew as the show progressed, making the blossoming relationship between the two characters tangible. Joshua Ewalt assumed the role of Belle's preening suitor, Gaston, imbuing his performance with a boisterous voice, laudable bravado and powerful baritone vocals. Ewalt's commanding energy and stage presence galvanized the townspeople for spectacular performances, most notably in "Gaston" and "Kill the Beast."

Numerous actors brought additional fervor to the production. Emilio Canals portrayed the flamboyant candelabra Lumiere, showcasing effective comedic timing and facial expressions while consistently maintaining a French accent. As the enchanted feather duster Babette, Nora Winsler boasted impressive vocal abilities, allowing her to stand out in even the largest numbers. The anxious Cogsworth was portrayed by Andrew Dettmer, whose banter with Canals served as one of the comedic highlights of the show. As Gaston's bumbling sidekick LeFou, Sam Ahmed utilized hysterical physicality and mannerisms to keep audience members consistently laughing. An energetic ensemble formed the backbone of the production, but was especially prominent during a wolf chase. Effective use of animalistic physicality made the wolves believable and increased the intensity of the scenes in the forest.

A myriad of brilliant technical feats further enhanced the magical atmosphere of the show. From the provincial town to the murky woods to an imposing castle, sets were intricate both in overall appearance and in minute detail. Lighting was executed superbly, featuring a number of spotlights and smart lights to enhance the show's whimsical mood and create ominous shadows. Stunning choreography for the show was conceived and executed by Winsler, Stephanie Rathjen and Jemma Stratton. The trio's talent shone in many of the large musical numbers, particularly "Be Our Guest."

Though reproducing such a beloved story can be a daunting task for any department, Centreville High School rose to the challenge. Through a dynamic combination of superb acting, captivating vocals, and dazzling technical elements, the cast and crew of Beauty and the Beast delivered an unforgettable performance of a Disney classic.

Alexa Tucker
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

On a dark and stormy night, a selfish prince denies an old woman refuge in his palace… and is left with a curse that can only be broken by true love. Thus begins Centreville High School's spellbinding production of Beauty and the Beast.

The well-known tale of Beauty and the Beast found its way into the hearts of families everywhere when the Walt Disney Pictures animated classic was released in 1991. The iconic story follows a lovely village girl who finds herself imprisoned in the castle of a horrible beast. After trials and tribulations, she eventually breaks the curse on the Beast by realizing that she truly loves him. The movie was a huge success. Only three years after its release the Broadway musical opened at the Palace Theatre. With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and a book by Linda Woolverton, Beauty and the Beast received nine Tony Award nominations and won for Best Costume Design.

Seeming to leap straight out of the Disney animated movie, the massive ensemble of gullible townspeople, dancing cutlery, ferocious wolves, and even a unicycling whisk carried the show with their boisterous energy and over-the-top gestures in numbers such as "Gaston" and "Be Our Guest."

As the menacing and mysterious Beast, Nick Ingargiola beautifully transitioned his character from the hot-tempered creature that Belle fears in the beginning of the musical into the soft-hearted man Belle learns to love. Ingargiola showcased his powerful vocals in heartbreaking songs such as "If I Can't Love Her," displaying a great range of facial expressions and gestures despite his mask and bulky costume. His chemistry with Cameron Daly as Belle was believable and touching, especially when Daly read aloud to the Beast from King Arthur. When the Beast was grievously injured at the end, Daly's heartbreak as she sobbed over her dying love was poignantly genuine.

Joshua Ewalt had the audience roaring with laughter in his role as the manly and self-centered Gaston. In his ill-fated proposal to Belle in "Me," he impressed the audience by scooping Belle up multiple times mid-note without ever faltering. His lively dynamic with sidekick LeFou, played by Sam Ahmed, added energy and hilarious physical theatre aspects to numbers such as "Gaston." Emilio Canals, as the flirtatious French candlestick Lumiere, carried numbers such as "Be Our Guest" with great energy and commitment, maintaining his accent flawlessly. As the equally flirtatious and French feather duster Babette, Nora Winsler stood out vocally by hitting incredibly high notes in large group numbers.

The technical aspects of the show were skillfully done. The set, from the bright and colorful village to the menacing woods, completed the atmosphere of each scene. Set transitions were done quickly and fluidly despite some set pieces appearing difficult to move. Although occasionally actors were in the dark, the enchanted rose was kept illuminated at all times, which provided a very beautiful effect. The use of fog in the Beast's transformation was especially impressive because it allowed the actors to seamlessly execute the switch.

As certain as the sun rising in the east, Centreville High School's Beauty and the Beast left the audience well-satisfied with their beautiful retelling of the "tale as old as time."

Zoe Hawryluk
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

"Be our guest!" cry Lumiere the candlestick, the dancing flatware, and unicycling whisk as the sold out audience applauds endlessly, for now, we invite you to relax, pull up a chair, as Centreville High School proudly presents… Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

The musical Beauty and the Beast was based on the classic 1991 Disney animated feature of the same name, and was adapted from the French fairy tale written by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont. With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton, Beauty and the Beast was nominated for nine Tony Awards (with one win for Costume Design) in 1994, is the ninth longest running musical in Broadway history, and is to be revamped as a live-action movie in the very near future.

Beauty and the Beast follows eccentric and adventurous Belle as she is isolated in her town, courted by the vain and arrogant Gaston, and imprisoned in a castle by a seemingly "horrible and monstrous" Beast. For his cruel and selfish ways, the Beast was transformed into an ugly animal by an enchantress, and must find true love before it's too late. Though Belle is originally captured to save her father's life, she becomes thrust into the scheme to break the curse upon the castle.

Belle, the bookish "Beauty", was played by Cameron Daly, who gave her character an innocent and endearing air that couldn't help but draw the audience into her journey with her. In contrast, Nick Ingargiola moved the audience as the emotionally complex Beast, especially in mournful songs like "How Long Must This Go On?" and "If I Can't Love Her." Ingargiola demonstrated his vocal talent in his ability to sing a wide range of sustained notes with clarity, and with genuine passion—all while in a restricting and bulky costume.

The most memorable parts of the production were the comedic relationships between characters. In the village, Sam Ahmed's LeFou and Joshua Ewalt's Gaston provide comic relief through exaggerated physicality and obvious commitment to characterization. Ewalt proved to be quite the triple-threat, mastering high kicks, high notes, and high energy throughout, while Ahmed tickled the audience with his dim-wit and was never seen out of character, especially in the rowdy tavern number "Gaston". In the castle, the antics of on-again, off-again lovers Lumiere (Emilio Canals) and Babette (Nora Winsler), straight-laced Cogsworth (Andrew Dettmer), and motherly Mrs. Potts (Emily Angelotti), provided a pleasant dynamic always left the audience with a smile.

The atmosphere of this classic show was completed with the large and cartoony set, reminiscent of the 1991 animated film. It featured a picturesque and colorful town, movable castle pieces (including stairs) as well as an elevated West Wing in an alcove of the stage. On top of that, special effects fog was used to seamlessly mask the actor swap that was the Beast's transformation into a human again.

Overall, the cast of Centreville High School's production of Beauty and the Beast was chock-full of energy, especially in famous ensemble numbers like "Gaston" and "Be Our Guest." The talents of each and every student were showcased in this lively performance that children and adults of all ages would enjoy, even Cogsworth.