Beauty and The Beast
at Woodgrove High School

Reviewed on April 29, 2017

Molly Klemm
Tuscarora High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

The adage states that beauty is found on the inside. What better way to portray that message than through a fairytale of adventure, magic, and love? Woodgrove High School must have agreed with this, as they took on the challenge of Beauty and the Beast. This commendable interpretation of the classic French fairytale had "Something There" for every audience member to enjoy.

The story follows Belle, a young woman trapped by the limits of her village, dreaming of a life like the ones she finds in books. When her father is taken captive by a hideous beast, she must sacrifice her own freedom for his and give up the possibility of a future outside the castle walls. Inside the castle, however, is a fairytale world that sweeps Belle into its magic. She must face becoming the heroine of her own story and discover the beauty inside before it's too late.

Lauren Bogle brought a unique defiance to the demure character of Belle. This allowed her to match Jonathan Heinze's loud and dominating Gaston. Heinze threw himself into the role, with a humorous character voice and "biceps to spare!" The Beast (Jonathan Wilkerson) was another standout, compensating for the limited expression possible in a mask by adjusting his vocal inflection based on the situation. He went from a gruff growl in Act I to a softer, gentler tone by Act II. This brought across his character arc clearly, despite a masked face. He also created a relationship with Belle that continued even after his transformation into the handsome Prince (Kevin Crandall).

The leading enchanted servants were all excellent, adding a lighthearted energy to the show. Lumiere (Lukas D'Errico) and his outrageous accent carried even the slowest of numbers while the Wardrobe (Georgia Peake) brought down the house with her beautiful voice. The ensemble shone in high energy scenes, such as the final battle, and their pretty vocals were a lovely addition to the performance.

The costume team made many costumes themselves, adding a whimsical feel to the show. The thought that went into the costume design was clear, particularly in separating the rough, simple villagers from the magic of the Beast's castle. Matte fabrics such as cotton and linen appeared in the "provincial" village, while Belle's sparkling ball gown was the epitome of the elegance found in the magical world she discovered. This attention to detail was also found in the set. The storefronts featured in the opening scene paid homage to the original Disney cartoon, featuring the same shops as the opening number in the movie. Other detailed pieces included the hand-painted books in the library and the consistency of pallet wood used in the village set pieces.

Beauty and the Beast is a spectacular story of magic and romance, and Woodgrove HS's interpretation of the classic "tale as old as time" was one to be remembered.

Kelsey Loesch
Paul VI Catholic High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Beauty and the Beast is a tale as old as time. Woodgrove High School brings the classic Disney story to the stage in their production of Beauty and the Beast.

Beauty and the Beast is a musical based on the Disney movie of the same name and features music and lyrics by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice. It premiered on Broadway in 1994 and ran until 2007, making it the tenth longest running Broadway production. Beauty and the Beast is based on the French fairy tale by Jeanne-Marie LePrince de Beaumont. The story is one many know. A cruel prince is transformed into a hideous beast, cursed to remain that way until he can win the love of a woman whom he has imprisoned in his castle.

Lauren Bogle had a unique interpretation of the classic character, Belle. Her spunky attitude created a particularly memorable character. Bogle's vocals had that "princess" quality especially in "Is This Home?" Jonathan Wilkerson, as the Beast, used emotional vocals to compensate for lack of facial movement, as he was wearing a full mask. He and Bogle created a realistic relationship that evolved through the production culminating in the Act 2 duet, "Something There."

Gaston, played by Jonathan Heinze, was committed to his cocky character and never dropped his intense nature, especially in the high energy "Mob Song." LeFou, Gaston's bumbling sidekick, was played by the hilarious Sarah Rector. Rector was a delight to watch throughout the show as she was constantly engaged and always a bundle of goofy energy. She had a strong presence on the stage and impressive comedic timing, making her a highlight of the evening.

Lukas D'Errico was a "de-light" as Lumiere, the candlestick. His impeccable French accent and over-the-top antics had the audience in stitches. D'Errico also showcased impressive vocals in the fun "Be Our Guest." Overall D'Errico made the "flame-buoyant" character unforgettable. Other notable characters were Mrs. Potts played by Caroline Roden and the Wardrobe played by Georgia Peake. Roden was perfectly maternal as mother to the adorable Chip (Miranda Huffer). She also lent her beautiful voice to the title number, "Beauty and the Beast." Peake's gorgeous soprano and lovable Diva attitude made the smaller character of Wardrobe a standout.

Student constructed costumes by Lauren Bogle and Ellie Dillon were especially commendable. The garments were tailored well and creatively designed. The student orchestra, led by Senior director Caden Vandervort, was fantastic. The students performed the iconic numbers expertly and never overpowered the actors.

Woodgrove High School's production of Beauty and the Beast is full of heart and classic Disney charm, all while giving a tale as old as time new life on the high school stage.

Emily Lachow
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Far off places. Magic spells. A prince in disguise. A beautiful young woman with the power to set him free. And, of course, an enchanting love story that dances its way into our hearts. Woodgrove High School's Beauty and the Beast was a charming rendition of the delightful Disney classic, captivating its audience with each cascade of a rose petal.

This tale as old as time first sang its way into popular culture in 1991 as an animated Disney film, with a soundtrack by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. The movie was a box office hit upon its release, and also garnered widespread critical acclaim. After Beauty and the Beast's positive audience reception, it was adapted for Broadway in 1994. The Broadway rendition included several new songs such as "No Matter What" and "Home," and won a Tony Award for Best Costume Design. Additionally, Disney recently released a live action version of Beauty and the Beast, which grossed over one billion dollars. This beloved tale follows Belle, a young maiden desperate to leave the confines of her provincial life. Her life certainly becomes more adventurous when she finds her father imprisoned in a cursed castle and offers to take his place. However, the enchanted castle contains a secret: not only are the servants now household objects, and the prince a beast, but if Belle cannot learn to love the Beast, the palace will be doomed to remain enchanted for the rest of time.

Lauren Bogle's lead performance was a unique interpretation of Belle. She infused her character's traditionally demure demeanor with an unexpected level of spunk, creating an overall strong female presence. However, Boyle did soften into a sweeter Belle upon falling in love with the Beast. As the Beast himself, Jon Wilkerson had the difficult task of emoting behind a large mask, but he was certainly up to the challenge. He conveyed the Beast's emotional journey through vocal dexterity, beginning the show with formidable growls and, as his character's antagonism melted away, sounding more human to reveal the Beast's vulnerability. Bogle and Wilkerson together portrayed a heartwarming love story.

The household objects were an enjoyable ensemble. Performing with energy and a believable French accent was Lumiere (Lukas D'Errico), whose dynamic scenes with Babette (Molly Warndorf) were a hilarious highlight of the production. Caroline Roden's Mrs. Potts grounded the enchanted objects with her maternal presence. Gaston's (Jonathan Heinze) stage presence was consistently high-energy. He led the ensemble with spirit, most notably during the "Mob Song."

A notable aspect of this production was the wolf chases, which were approached with crisp contemporary choreography. A standout dancer was Logan Voegele, whose laudable skill was evident through flips and tricks.

The technical elements of this production brought the enchanted world of Beauty and the Beast to life. The set design was noticeably intricate, with a detailed library set and shops that resembled those of the animated film. The sound rendered the actors consistently audible, an impressive feat considering the proximity of the orchestra to the audience. The orchestra, which was impressively conducted by student Caden Vandervort, played the music in-tune and cohesively.

Woodgrove High School's production of Beauty and the Beast brought a beloved fairy tale to life with heartwarming performances and enchanting technical aspects. These students proved that this tale as old as time still has the power to inspire us all.

Sophie Stapleton
Loudoun Valley High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Now

It's a tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme; it's Beauty and the Beast. Most people, upon hearing those popular lyrics from the title song, picture a looming castle, a hideous beast, or a sparkling golden dress – some of the symbols associated with the story that is near and dear to millions of captivated souls. Though Woodgrove High School's production of Beauty and the Beast stayed true to the original story, the talented cast and crew took us on a journey we had never experienced before.

Beauty and the Beast is a fairy tale that was originally written in French and published as a novel in 1740. Over the years, it has been adapted into many versions in various forms of entertainment – literature, film, television, and theatre. The popular animated film, which was released in 1991, is well known for its musical and visual aesthetics. Among many other adaptations, the magical tale was transformed into a live production that premiered on Broadway in 1994. Most recently, a live-action film was released in March 2017, starring Emma Watson as Belle.

The beloved narrative tells of a girl, Belle, who is adventurous but dissatisfied in her pastoral French village. Through circumstances involving her kooky father and a hungry pack of wolves, Belle finds herself sacrificing her freedom to guarantee her father's. With a great amount of courage, she chooses to stay locked away in an enchanted castle – forever – with a horrific beast as her host.

The Beast (Jonathan Wilkerson) was furry and rough on the outside, though delightfully fluffy and soft on the inside. Through dynamic vocal changes between Act 1 and Act 2, Wilkerson developed the character smoothly. Though Belle (Lauren Bogle) was not portrayed traditionally, her vocal and acting choices brought a fresh, sassy twist to the normally sweet character.

In the enchanted castle, Lumiere (Lukas D'Errico) ignited flames in everyone's hearts with his suave French accent and silky voice. To rev up even more energy within the castle walls, Wardrobe (Georgia Peake) put on a show worthy of a king's approval by stealing the spotlight with her beautifully placed operatic descants.

Gaston (Jonathan Heinze) displayed fierce commitment and energy as he supported the ensemble with his rather large muscles. Gaston's goofy sidekick LeFou (Sarah Rector) created palpable energy, filling the room with her quirky mannerisms and vocal inflections.

Four dark figures prance through the dimly lit stage and begin to contort their bodies, leaping and jumping with sharp, punctuated movements. Buddies in a tavern clink glasses and sing a hearty song. By showcasing individual talents and the ability to work together as an ensemble, student Carolina Kirkpatrick's choreography was innovative and elegant.

The orchestra, directed by student Caden Vandervort, executed an extremely challenging score with grace. The creativity of the students at Woodgrove High School was clearly on display, shining for all to see.

A cozy shelf filled with books and knick-knacks; a single rose petal slowly drifting to the bottom of its glass case; such attention to detail on the set enthralled the audience and connected them to the story in an authentic way.

Truly capturing the imaginative, magical nature of the fairy tale, Woodgrove High School utilized proficient actors, ingenious students, and great attention to detail to cultivate a tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme: Beauty and the Beast.

Vanessa Bliss
Paul VI Catholic High School
Submitted for publication to Woodgrove Outlander

Beauty and the Beast is one of Disney's most beloved movies, and it's easy to see why. It has the perfect blend of magic, romance, and all-around fun. In Woodgrove High School's performance of the stage adaption of the "Tale as Old as Time," audiences are reminded of all the enchantment the movie brought them, and find new reasons to love the story as well.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast originally opened on Broadway at the Palace Theatre in 1994. It has a book by Linda Woolverton, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. It tells of a selfish prince who is transformed into a beast by an enchantress until he can learn to love and be loved in return. When a beautiful young woman comes to his castle to look for her imprisoned father, she agrees to take her father's place as a prisoner, giving hope to the Beast's servants, who have been turned into enchanted objects, that she may be the girl to break the spell.

A plethora of delightful performances from the cast carried the show. Lumiere, played by Lukas D'Errico, truly lived up to his character's name by illuminating the stage each time he was on it with his presence and comedic timing. It was especially fun to watch him and Cogsworth (Eric DeBerry) bicker, and he and the flirtatiously fun Babette (Molly Warndorf) made a perfect pair. Georgia Peake, playing the wardrobe Madame de la Grande Bouche, always wowed the audience with her vocal ability. She got into character perfectly by having a singing-like quality to her lines and dazzled each time she sang a high, operatic note.

The show had some incredibly strong dancers, and they were aptly showcased as both wolves in the woods and castle objects in "Be Our Guest". The costumes that were student-made were movie accurate and had some pleasing details, such as the Silly Girls having more brightly colored skirts than the rest of the women in the town. One of the most creative elements in the production was the pit orchestra. It was beautifully directed by senior Caden Vandervort and viola player Somerset Peede even transposed her own music because it was originally written for a violin.

Woodgrove put together a enjoyable fairy tale that wonderfully showcased the students' unique talents. They managed to transport each audience member into a lovely "adventure in the great wide somewhere".

Rebecca Goodhart
Dominion High School
Submitted for publication to Woodgrove Outlander

Princesses need not always be the damsels in distress. Helpless princes can just as easily find themselves in need of saving by a formidable woman. Woodgrove High School's production of Beauty and the Beast demonstrates that the conviction and devotion of a single girl can bring about a world of change.

Beauty and the Beast is based on the beloved 1991 Disney animated film of the same name, which was adapted from a French fairy tale. While the original fairy tale was used to prepare young girls for the idea of arranged marriages, the Disney movie and musical are known for their charming characters and catchy compositions. The musical adaption retains the basic idea of the stories before it; a selfish prince brings a curse onto his household that can only be broken by the magic of love.

In order to bring the sense of fairy tale magic into the production, actors were garbed in impressive costumes that were reminiscent of the show's Disney roots. The enchanted servants' attire as household objects was clearly carefully crafted, and the bulkiness of some of the outfits did not seem to hinder the actors' participation in the show's more intensely choreographed numbers.

Filling the "beauty" part of the musical's title was Lauren Bogle as Belle, whose resonant voice easily carried her solo numbers. Bogle's transition from a sassy captive to a sweet princess added new flavor to Belle that supported her character's development throughout the production. Jonathan Wilkerson as The Beast demonstrated a similar development as he went from guttural roars to hesitant conversation, and his growth evoked some of the show's Disney charm. The evolution of the leads' interactions from hostile arguing to honest affection added a feeling of genuine emotion to the production.

Many individual members of the ensemble brought stand-out performances to the show, Eric DeBerry as Lumiere being chief among them. DeBerry's comical line delivery and lively stage presence brought vigor to taxing numbers such as "Be Our Guest." LeFou (Sarah Rector) only needed to be present onstage in order to add vivacity to the scene with her overly dramatic persona as a worshipful lapdog. While many of the characters sported French accents, Georgia Peake as the Wardrobe was particularly commendable for maintaining a clear accent while repeatedly nailing the highest notes in the show.

Complementing the spirited work of the actors was the clever use of back lighting that changed color to reflect the mood of the characters. The back of the stage also sported a raised platform that provided more levels to ensemble numbers and doubled as the castle's staircase. Another memorable set piece was a wheeled platform with only two walls that faced the audience as a library or provided a backdrop to the beast's iconic lair in the west wing.

Creating a unique retelling of a story made iconic by Disney can be a daunting task, but Woodgrove Theatre rose to the occasion with a memorable rendition of a fairy tale classic.