Beauty and the Beast
at Hayfield Secondary School

Reviewed on November 20, 2015

Corinne Kleinman
Wakefield School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

From the moment an enchantress's curse broke over a selfish prince and his unfortunate servants, Hayfield Secondary School's "Beauty and the Beast" cast its spell over the audience.

This classic fable has captivated readers and audiences the world over – beginning as a French fairy tale in the 1740s, rewritten in 1757, and undergoing multiple transformations before 1991, when Disney released its ground-breaking, Oscar-award-winning, animated classic; three years later, the musical opened on Broadway and became one of the longest-running productions in Broadway history.

Make no mistake: this show has the magic to capture an audience, and in Friday night's performance, magic definitely was in the air. Taegan Chirinos (Belle) lit up the stage with a beguiling voice and convincing characterization. She really found her footing in "Be Our Guest" and wholly committed to the role in the terrific ensemble piece, "Something There." Chad Vann's wrath and pathos as the Beast prevailed over the potential disadvantage of a mask, which could have muffled his voice and hidden his facial expressions. Although Vann suffered what could have been debilitating setbacks (costume malfunctions and tripping onstage), he rose to the challenge without breaking character and led the cast through a delightful evening.

Hank Von Kolnitz (Gaston) charmed with fantastic energy and a great voice. Every hand gesture, facial expression, and body movement commanded the stage and stole laughs: his presence alone lifted the production's energy. With Jackson Miller (Lefou), the pair united to form an unstoppable, hilarious duo that galvanized the show, especially during the magnificent ensemble number (complete with tap-dancing), "Gaston." Although Miller had less stage time than his partner-in-crime, he made the most of his performance and always won laughs.

Gaston's hilarious band of teenage fan girls were particularly memorable: their commitment to following him around (to the point of groveling on the floor) and screaming adoringly gave the show another huge boost of energy. In addition, the large, sparkling ensemble cast of Middle and High Schoolers showcased an admirable range of dancing prowess – including tap and ballet.

Nathan Tepe (Lumiere) and Shannon Flack (Cogsworth) had great chemistry in their contrasting roles as enchanted castle servants. While it may be difficult to act, dance, and sing all at the same time, Tepe's convincingly committed performance raised the bar in "Be Our Guest," and Flack created a lasting impression as the nervous, edgy Cogsworth. Isa Lee (Mrs. Potts) also stood out vocally, especially in her solo "Beauty and the Beast."

Of particular note was Alicen Hackney (Monsieur D'Arque). Despite limited time onstage, she bewitched the audience with amazing vocals, clear diction, and crisp notes in "Maison des Lunes."

The show's magic wasn't restricted only to the stage: Hayfield's marketing and publicity team worked their own sorcery to bring in an enthusiastic audience. With shout-outs on the radio, vlog creations, filming a mini-movie, and polling voters during the recent election (conducting a survey as to whether Belle should end up with Gaston or the Beast), Hayfield found innovative ways to reach out to the community.

Although the cast faced numerous technical difficulties (spotty mics, mistimed curtains, and several other snags beyond their control), the magic of their commitment to their characters created a timeless illusion that transported the audience into a world where candlesticks can sing – and true love's kiss really can break a spell.

Emily Wilson
Thomas Edison High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

For a "tale as old as time," Hayfield Secondary School's production of Beauty and the Beast was certainly fresh! Based on the beloved French fairy tale, Disney's classic musical came to life with romance and an abundance of laughter.

At the start of the show, Belle (Taegan Chirinos) is tired of her "provincial life" and longs for adventure. When she bravely sacrifices her freedom to save her father (Logan McLaren), Belle finds herself faced with adventure rather unexpectedly. With her sweet voice and excellent comedic timing, it was a joy to see Chirinos channel the adored Disney princess. As her love, the Beast, Chad Vann gave a phenomenal performance. His raw emotion, coupled with rich vocals, stunned the audience.

It would not be Disney without a good villain, and Hank Von Kolnitz as Gaston more than delivered. His boundless energy and stage presence were quite impressive, and he had an operatic voice that nicely captured his character's egotistical nature. He and his henchman, Lefou (Jackson Miller), made quite the pair, with Jackson's fruitless attempts to please Gaston and Von Kolnitz's brash swagger gathering plenty of laughs.

Another dynamic duo in the show was the delightful Lumiere (Nathan Tepe) and Cogsworth (Shannon Flack) – their banter was fun to watch, as the stuffy clock was constantly at odds with the more relaxed candlestick. Accompanied by the lovely Mrs. Potts (Isa Lee), adorable Chip (Valentina Mendoza), and a hilariously bombastic Madame Bouche (Arianna Parenti, who elicited plenty of giggles when she donned a helmet and spear during the battle scene), the ensemble of enchanted objects made a strong showing. Overall, ensemble members in the cast did a nice job interacting with each other and supporting the leads, though some actors lacked conviction in their movements. However, the cast generally worked well together, and recovered nicely from a few technical issues.

"Gaston" was a standout number. With excellent vocals, boundless energy from both soloists and ensemble members, and creative choreography (using cups as percussion was an appealing touch), the song was a highlight of the show. Though the ensemble sometimes lacked energy, a particularly nice moment was when a group of point ballerina dancers showcased their talents during "Human Again," offering an unusual take on a familiar tune.

Hayfield's makeup team of Shannon Flack, Nate Tepe, Alicen Hackney, and Arianna Parenti did a fantastic job, and the Beast's was particularly impressive. The grandiose set, thought a bit simplistic visually, was effectively used, and the stage crew's transitions were mostly quick and without mishaps. Even if sometimes they went out or were a little loud, the sound crew balanced 18 mics quite well, which was an impressive feat.

Their publicity team of Noah Mutterperl, Yvonne Nguyen, Mehwish Khan, and Addison Patrick is also worth a mention. With social media posts, participation in a local Halloween parade, and fun vlogs with Gaston, their innovation and creativity were awesome.

Taking on such a well-known musical is certainly a daunting prospect, but Hayfield rose to the occasion. While they often emulated the movie, they also added their own twists by breaking the fourth wall a few times (Gaston ordered Lefou to take him off stage, for example) or using a selfie stick for Maurice's invention. With fun and creativity, Hayfield made the musical their own, and gave their guests a fine show.

Anna Merrill
Teens and Theatre
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

Beauty and the Beast is a timeless fairytale about love, bravery, and the true meaning of beauty. Hayfield Secondary School lit up the stage with their entertaining performance of this well-loved musical, and the combination of singing, dancing, and some great comic performances made for an enjoyable evening.

This classic tale tells of a prince (Chad Vann) who was cursed for his selfishness and trapped in the body of a hideous beast, his fate sealed unless he could find someone who could love him despite his frightening exterior. What girl could possibly fall in love with a monster? Perhaps Belle (Taegan Chirinos), a girl who is both beautiful and intelligent but shunned by her village for her peculiarities. When Belle sacrifices herself to be the Beast's prisoner in her father's stead, she is initially disgusted by his rudeness and he exasperated by her nerve- but slowly, the two fall in love.

Directed by Pat Mitchell, Hayfield's production benefited from some talented performed. Chirinos was an extremely likable protagonist and had great reactions to the other characters. Vann was captivating as the Beast, and- despite the disadvantage of having his face obscured by character makeup -gave one of the strongest emotional performances in the cast. Hank Von Kolnitz (Gaston) was in character from the moment he stepped on stage, and never broke his arrogant, swaggering demeanor. Jackson Miller (Lefou) was also a standout, playing Gaston's dim but enthusiastic right-hand man with vigor.

Hayfield's show incorporated the traditional dance elements as well as some new ones. "Gaston" was transformed into a tap number, and "Human Again" showcased an ensemble of beautiful pointe dancers. Although some of the show's biggest musical numbers lacked energy and cohesion, the choreography showed promise and ambition.

In addition to the actors and dancers, there were many talented vocalists among the cast. Vann's performance of the pivotal number "If I Can't Love Her" was executed with skill and emotion. Chirinos' voice was clear and innocent, which fit the character well. Although many of the singers lacked correct pitch and breath support, the ensemble served their purpose musically.

Four songs away from the first act, the cast suffered from a curtain malfunction, and intermission had to be called early. However, the actors recovered admirably. When the curtain came back up, no-one seemed shaken or flustered, demonstrating maturity and professionalism. However, the show's sound system could have been stronger, as only the 18 speaking character had microphones. This left the chorus barely audible, and detracted from some of the show's most important numbers. In addition to this, many actors' microphones cut out in the middle of crucial scenes. Despite these technical challenges, the actors' skill and passion still shone bright.

Although it is always a challenge for students to take on such a successful production, the cast and crew of Hayfield's Beauty and the Beast rose to the challenge with heart. Overall, the show benefited from many talented performers, and the cast demonstrated both professionalism and unity as they worked together to overcome challenges and create a very enjoyable show.

Lily Brock
Langley High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - Ft Hunt/Kingstowne

There's a little beast in us all. Just a tad. A morsel. But there's an intrinsic beauty too, innate in our care for one another. A beauty beyond the physical, past any fleeting facade. Hayfield Secondary School tackled this theme with exuberance and spirit in their lively production of The Beauty and the Beast.


Based on a French fairy tale, The Beauty and the Beast is a staple of any childhood movie collection thanks to the release of the 1991 animated Disney adaptation. A Broadway version soon followed with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. The cherished tale chronicles the burgeoning love between a young woman, Belle, and a prince who has been transformed into a hideous beast.


Chad Vann commanded as the Beast. Vann's booming vocals were fraught with a mournful air, lamenting his tragic form in a beautifully rendered performance of "If I Can't Have Her." Decked out in animal makeup and fake fur, Vann emoted masterfully without the convenience of facial expressions, instead relying on each bellow and snarl to convey his angst. As Belle's macho suitor, Hank Von Kolnitz, was the show's driving force. Pure talent in aggressively tight leggings. As vocally adept as he was hysterically funny, Von Kolnitz boosted the overall energy tenfold as soon as he swaggered onstage. Von Kolntiz's sidekick, Jackson Miller as Lefou played a combination of goofy and obsequious in raucous group numbers like "Gaston."


The Silly Girls served as a perfect foil for the oh-so principled Belle, squealing and clinging to Von Kolnitz like creatures from Gloria Steinem's worst nightmares. The enchanted objects ensemble was similarly spirited as they grapevined dressed like the contents of a dishwasher. Two standouts, Shannon Flack as Cogsworth and Isa Lee as Mrs. Potts were lovable as an enchanted clock and tea pot, respectively. Likewise, Nathan Tepe aptly took to the role of Luminere.


The makeup team performed a notable transformation on Vann, morphing him into the Beast with elaborate animal makeup and fur. The look was positively feral, crafting a fine contrast to the humanity of Vann's performance. The orchestra worked nicely to complement the singers, never overpowering the vocals.


Hayfield Secondary School's performance concluded with a well-deserved standing ovation and several rowdy shouts from the satisfied audience.

Alexis Apostolou
Langley High School
Submitted for publication to Insidenova - Sun Gazette

It's the tale as old as time—Beauty and the Beast resurfaces with gusto as Hayfield Secondary School's fall production. With a booming cast and a rollicking spirit, the school's rendition of the classic show was fun for all.

Alan Menken's famous music marked Beauty and the Beast as a timeless favorite, premiering on Broadway first in 1994. The musical follows the journey of the Belle, a curious and naïve young woman who is sick of the trivialities of her small town. Gaston, the town's cocky bachelor, has his mind set on marrying the beautiful Belle, but can't get Belle to agree on the proposal. Once Belle's father is found trapped in an enchanted castle, Belle sacrifices herself, thereby freeing her father, opting to live in the castle with the master—a large and fearful beast who is under a spell that can only be broken with true love—and the castle's enchanted house staff. Belle's stubbornness clashes with the Beast's adamancy, and the two go head-to-head. After a while, Belle and the Beast warm up to each other, thanks to help from the house's enchanted objects. A romance begins to blossom between the two just as Gaston hears about Belle's imprisonment. In response, Gaston leads a mob to kill the Beast and take Belle back, hoping for Belle's hand in marriage. But, the Beast and the enchanted objects take the mob down, and Belle and the Beast's mutual love breaks the spell on the whole castle, freeing them from their enchanted bodies and turning them human again.

Hayfield's cast delivered a genuine performance, held together by the professional showmanship of the Beast, played by Chad Vann, and Gaston, played by Hank Von Kolnitz. The two characters brought power and energy to the stage: Chad Vann tackled a few technical issues with absolute composure, while maintaining his brutish gait and grizzly mannerisms. Hank Von Kolnitz nailed the brawny, self-absorbed role of Gaston with unfaltering stage presence and a knack for virile magnetism. Where the ensemble lacked togetherness and relish, the main characters oozed spirit. Also impressive were the roles of Cogsworth, played by Shannon Flack, Lumiere, played by Nathan Tepe, and Lefou, played by Jackson Miller.

The Beast poignantly delivered "If I Can't Love Her (Reprise)," characterized by emotion-packed vibrato and downcast pacing. The group number "Gaston" was the peak for the entire cast; Gaston lead the zestful song with manly muscle flexes and verve to spare. The Silly Girls added fullness to the scene, acting with hot-blooded energy out of the spotlight.

The lighting throughout the show appropriately paralleled the tone of the number. Slower songs were given somber blues and darker purples while feisty group numbers were cast yellows and oranges. While sound issues plagued a few on-stage moments, the cast and crew worked quickly and effectively to dismiss the slight technical issues.

Hayfield's performance was fun and hearty proving that some things don't go out of style.

Zoe Ades
Albert Einstein High School
Submitted for publication to Alexandria Times

Every little kid grows up with the Disney classics, and when they see their favorite animated characters come to life on stage, it is a magical experience. Hayfield Secondary School's production of Beauty and the Beast brought out the child in us all as the audience hummed along to their favorite numbers in this tale as old as time.

Based on a classic French fairy tale and beloved Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast premiered on Broadway in 1994. Praised as one of the most successful screen-to-stage adaptations of all time, the musical flourished in New York earning nine Tony nominations and has gone on to play in London and around the world. The story, familiar to any Disney fan, follows Belle, a young girl, fed up with her dreary town and unwanted advances from the local stud, longs for the adventures she reads about in her favorite books. When her father, a bumbling inventor, is taken by a ferocious beast, she selfless offers to take his place in his castle. However, she quickly learns this is a castle like no other. Under the same curse that transformed a prince into the Beast, the castle's inhabitants are enchanted objects that wish for nothing more than to break the curse.

Leading the cast was Taegan Chirinos as Belle. Chirinos brought a youthful energy to the role and her sincere, emotional performance brought out her inner Disney princess. In one of the stand out performances of the night, Chad Vann complimented Chirinos with his rich vocals and nuanced acting. As Vann's face was mostly covered with prosthetic makeup that, while impressive, hindered his ability to use facial expressions to convey emotion, Vann relied primarily on his vocal tone to express emotion which he used excellently. The Beast's character development was displayed effortlessly. Chirinos and Vann's on stage chemistry was gentle and allowed for many sweet moments.

As one of the audience's favorites, Hank Von Kolnitz dominated the stage as Gaston. With excellent presence, comedic timing, and strong vocal techniques, Von Kolnitz anchored the show. His presence on stage seemed to inject energy into the ensemble and his stability in his vocals held the cast together during some of the tricky vocal sections. Gaston's big number, aptly named "Gaston," would not have been the success it was without Von Kolnitz's energy. Gaston and Lefou's (Jackson Miller) relationship was dynamic and their stage chemistry was irrefutably funny. Miller and Kolnitz seemed to feed off of each other and their comic bits were well executed.

The ensemble of Enchanted Objects, lead by Lumiere (Nathan Tepe) and Cogsworth (Shannon Flack) was endearing and fun to watch. Tepe and Flack played off each other well and Tepe brought great energy to the famous "Be Our Guest" number. Isa Lee as Mrs. Potts and Arianna Parenti as Madame Bouche also stood out in tricky roles that they executed admirably.

The set, while simple, was cleanly executed and the effect of the rose sitting ever present on the stage was both iconic and visually appealing.

Putting on this "tale as old as time" couldn't have been easy, but the cast and crew of Beauty and the Beast made every audience member feel like their guest during this enjoyable performance.

Jordan Hill
Albert Einstein High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

The magic of love that stems from generosity, kindness, and friendship engulfs the story of Beauty and the Beast and Hayfield Secondary School's transformative production of the popular Disney musical.

Beauty and the Beast was originally based off of a French fairytale where a prince is transformed into a terribly ugly beast due to his selfish and rude ways by a sorceress. Then a young woman, named Belle, becomes his prisoner in his castle and in order to break the spell and become human again, the beast must fall in love with Belle. The staged production was based on the hit Disney movie and it opened on Broadway in 1994 with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and a book by Linda Woolverton.

Hayfield's production was led by the youthful and energetic Taegan Chirinos who played the title role of Belle. Chirinos had great stage presence and was very consistent throughout the entire show. Chirinos was also very consistent with having a lot of energy whether she was in a dramatic and emotional scene or a fun dance number like "Be Our Guest." Opposite Chirinos was the magnificent Chad Vann in the role of the Beast. Vann showed complete dedication to character and through his luscious voice he strongly conveyed his emotions even through the intense and transforming Beast makeup.

Stealing the show, in an amazing way, was Hank Von Kolnitz as Gaston. Von Kolnitz was absolute perfection as Gaston with a gorgeous voice that complemented every acting choice he made. Von Kolnitz truly embodied his evil and annoying character but with such beautiful execution that it made the audience absolutely love to hate him. Assisting Von Kolnitz in the hysterical antics was Jackson Miller in the role of Lefou. Miller had great comedic timing and amazing chemistry with Von Kolnitz which made the audience automatically get excited when they were both onstage together.

Without the help of the ensemble of performers that wonderfully portrayed the exciting and fun featured characters, the leads of the show would have had nothing to build upon, but thankfully that was not the case. Nathan Tepe, who portrayed Lumiere, and Shannon Flack, who played Cogsworth, had wonderful dedication to character and they beautifully worked together to have great comedic timing during all of their scenes together. Beauty and the Beast is very dependent on a strong and energetic ensemble and the Silly Girls ensemble brought just what was needed to the show. Tripping and bawling while running after Gaston, the Silly Girls ensemble helped bring the energy back up and provide some hysterical, over the top moments onstage.

Based on the fact that Beauty and the Beast is truly a beast of musical with so many intricacies with the different aspects of the show that have to seamlessly come together, Hayfield Secondary School did an extraordinary job putting on the show.

Craig Allison
South County High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

In a provincial town of France lives a beauty by the name of Belle who feels like a stranger in this foreign setting known as "home", reading the day away while unwillingly being chased down by the town stud, Gaston. But destiny has other plans in store. Her father is suddenly kidnapped while traveling in the forest and Belle is the only one that will save him! What she discovers on her journey is that the forest holds an ancient castle with a history of dark magic, dancing and singing antiques and silverware, and a Beast that rules overall. What she soon uncovers is that there is more than meets the eye when it comes to this island of misfits where once lived a beautiful prince.

"Beauty and the Beast" can be traced back to its original fairy tale author, Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont who wrote the book in 1756 and later went through many different periods and variations. It really became famous in the 1991 film of the same name, and since then it has become a Broadway phenomenon. After it debuted, it has since had over 5,000 performances and is Broadway's 9th longest running show.

Among the cast what really stole the show away was the comedic duo of Hank Von Kolnitz as Gaston and Jackson Miller as Lefou. As they pranced about on stage, the audience couldn't contain themselves when it came to the chemistry and flamboyancy that was displayed. Kolnitz especially dominated when it came to executing his songs vocally as he did many solo and group numbers. Both Von Kolnitz and Miller showed off their dancing abilities in the song, "Gaston" as they tap-danced their way across the stage. The "Silly Girls" ensemble also brought many laughs as they chased and worshipped Von Kolnitz's character as a teenage heartthrob.

Another actor who deserves praise was Chad Vann as Beast. Although his costume and makeup completely covered him from using facial expressions and much movement, Vann portrayed his character's emotions well through attitude in his voice, making the tortured soul of the long lost prince come to life. He executed powerful baritone notes that demanded your attention.

Technical aspects of the show included a gigantic yet simple set for the castle that made up for the bland town setting seen through out the production. Sound for the show was faulty where actors' voices would be cut off or static from time to time. Props were also occasionally falling apart during the performance along with a faulty curtain that was problematic in covering parts of the set and unveiling scenes. The use of a selfie stick was also clearly out of time period.

Media for the show went above and beyond the typical show poster and playbill. The production was very resourceful when it came to social media using Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube for Gaston's "VLOGS". The cast also participated in a local Halloween Parade as well as the school's homecoming parade. Shout outs for the show were also put through the radio on 99.5!

It's not everyday that such a well known musical with themes of love and beauty on the inside will have everyone laughing their heads off, but in this case, Hayfield's "Beauty and the Beast" manages to do just that.