Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
at Heritage High School

Reviewed on May 5, 2018

Diana Witt
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Tie a napkin ‘round your neck, sit back, relax and be whisked away to the fantastical world of "a tale as old as time," where forks belt out familiar tunes and spoons showcase spirited dance moves. With mystical technical elements and heartfelt performances, Heritage High School's delightful production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast captivated the audience until the last petal of the enchanted rose fell.

Based on the 1991 film of the same title, Disney's Beauty and Beast is a musical by Linda Woolverton with music and lyrics by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice. Premiering on Broadway in 1994, the stage production originally received mixed reviews from critics. It ended up becoming Broadway's tenth longest running show, closing after a whopping 5,461 performances.

After a spell left a handsome prince with a grotesque appearance, the Beast is confined to a solitary life in the castle. His servants too were transformed - taking on inhuman forms. To reverse the enduring curse, he must get someone to accept him as he is. When a beautiful and intelligent girl arrives at the castle, he must soften his rough exterior to get her to fall in love with him before it's too late.

Covered in a coat of thick brown fur, the hairy and hideous Beast (Nick Trusty) commanded the stage with his dominating persona. At first a hot-headed, short-tempered monster, Trusty showed a remarkable transformation - exposing a tender humanity beneath his vile and villainous appearance. Softened by love, he learned to assuage his rage and act selflessly. Lyndsay Snider captured the essence of a Disney princess in her portrayal of the bookish, yet gorgeous Belle. Dreaming of escaping from her "poor provincial life," her imaginative spirit is ignited by the adventures in her story books. Snider delicately balanced Belle's sweet charm with her outspoken tenacity. She exhibited a smooth soprano voice in touching solos.

Determined to marry Belle, Austin Richardson gave an admirable performance as the "boorish, brainless" Gaston. Alongside Gaston was his foolish sidekick, LeFou, portrayed with playful wit by Nick Farro. With unwavering wishes to be "human again," the Beast's servants, the enchanted household objects, provided an element of whimsy. As the charismatic maître d', Lumiere, Gökçe Necioglu welcomed Belle to the castle with his vocal prowess and polished dance skill in his toe-tapping musical number "Be Our Guest." Another standout performer was the opera singer turned wardrobe, Madame de la Grande Bouche (Allie Anderson). Displaying impeccable comedic timing, Anderson embodied the bold prim donna. The cast was completed by an energetic ensemble, who performed complicated choreography with animated facial expressions.

Brilliant technical effects emanated a flair of Disney magic. A variety of vibrant set pieces adorned the stage, transporting the audience to different settings. A vivid autumnal backdrop exuded the natural feel of the woods, while twinkling night stars illuminated the grand ballroom. Lights flashed and rolling fog billowed out onto the stage during moments of mystique. Student choreographers Lindsey Griffen and Lyndsay Snider demonstrated a commendable use of stage space with unique formations. They implemented challenging dance techniques, such as a rhythmic tap sequence and amazing acrobatic tricks in sharp and entertaining production numbers.

Granted with their human form again, the inhabitants of the castle gleefully celebrate the broken spell and the newfound romance of Belle and the Prince. Cultivating the magic of love, Heritage High School's talented, committed actors and eye-catching design features were "certain as sun" in their whimsical production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

Marieska Luzada
Dominion High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

With a great bonjour and enchanté comes "something there" in Heritage High School's production of "Beauty and the Beast." With dancing silverware, tumbling townspeople, and singing furniture, Heritage High School's production of the Disney classic is deemed unforgettable.

Based on the 1991 animated film of the same name, "Beauty and the Beast" follows a peculiar and book-loving girl named Belle as she meets a Beast while searching for her inventor father. With a limited amount of time to break the Beast's spell, Belle must combat the provincial life to be with the one she loves. With music composed by Alan Menken and lyrics written by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, the Disney musical ensues romance, tragedy, conflict, and amusement with memorable characters and an unforgettable love story.

Heritage High School made the magic and imagination of "Beauty and the Beast" come to life on its very stage. Energy was sustained throughout the entire show, especially throughout group numbers such as the jaw-dropping, choreography-heavy "Be Our Guest." Each character expressed emotion and rawness into their voices to make themselves relatable and realistic to the audience rather than creating a barrier between reality and fantasy.

Lyndsay Snider, who played everyone's favorite bibliophile Belle, added multiple dimensions to the iconic character by incorporating thoughtful and complex characterization to make herself seem real and credible for her gradual connection with the Beast (played by Nick Trusty). Trusty portrayed heavy emotion under the anger that the Beast stereotypically presents, which makes him more raw and vulnerable to the audience. The chemistry seen between Trusty and Snider was consistent throughout the show to stay true to the romantic atmosphere of the animated movie with the "tale as old as time."

Without its quirky and spontaneous supporting cast members, "Beauty and the Beast" would not be one for the books. Austin Richardson and Nick Farro (who played Gaston and LeFou, respectively) had perfect comedic timing while carrying energy throughout the show as the main antagonists of the plot. Additionally, the ensemble of the household furniture (such as Lumiere played by Gokce Necioglu, Cogsworth played by Alex Eichert, and Mrs. Potts played by Gabi Gray) maintained a duality between humanity and their perception as objects to convey a realness and sense of emotion within them. Subtle movements and gestures also contributed to their accurate portrayals as objects.

The crew of "Beauty and the Beast" did an amazing job bringing the story to life with attention to detail to the makeup, special effects, and sets. The makeup for the Beast and the household furniture was well done so that there is still the element of humanity within all of them. Effects such as the flashing lights and the fog machines contributed to the magic incorporated into the show in setting the eerie yet mystifying mood of the story. Transitions between each scene were very smooth and each background stayed true to the Disney classic with complex set designs and subtle details on props such as the Enchanted Mirror.

Overall, Heritage High School's production of "Beauty and the Beast" brought joy to the eyes of both young and old with their reminiscence of the classic film while introducing new concepts to make the timeless story more enjoyable than ever before. Almost anyone who came to their production loved being their guest.

Nick Tortora
Loudoun Valley High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Be Heritage High School's guest as they pull off this tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme with ease and professionalism: Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

Opening on Broadway in 2005, Disney's Beauty and the Beast follows the classic story of Belle, a provincial girl who longs for adventure. However, she winds up held captive by a prince-turned-beast in a castle, cursed by an enchantress due to the prince's selfish ways. The Beast will remain monstrous in appearance unless he learns to love before the last petal of a rose falls; luckily, with the help of some enchanted objects, Belle begins to see the splendor inside the Beast, slowly falling in love.

Belle (Lyndsay Snider) transformed over time from a fluffy princess to an understanding companion of the Beast, and often surprised the audience with her dynamically sassy undertones as she dealt with her captivity. The Beast (Nick Trusty) showed similar development throughout the show, as he noticeably softened into a more vulnerable creature capable of love, his hardened shell having been stripped away. Between the two of them, their development took their relationship to a believable level, creating the perfect dynamic between the two characters.

Lumiere (Gökçe Necioglu) captivated audiences with his stage presence and flashy dancing, building more excitement with each kick of his leg. Madame de la Grande Bouche (Allie Anderson), a wardrobe, left the audience in stitches with her ability to find the humor in little moments and her precision in the delivery of those moments. Overall, the enchanted objects did an excellent job of maintaining the human inside of them while still taking on the stage movements of their objects, creating hypnotic tension between the their two sides.

The high energy Gaston (Austin Richardson) and his bumbling sidekick LeFou (Nick Farro) worked hard to capture Belle and force her to marry Gaston, but to no avail. In his efforts to cheer Gaston up in the song "Gaston," Farro showcased his excellent character voice, vocal talent, and dancing, helping "Gaston" to be one of the most energetic moments of the performance. Conspiring with them was Monsieur D'Arque (Jack Price), whose commitment to his sinister and grotesque mannerisms made him an immediate stand out to the audience.

This energy, of course, was backed by an invested ensemble, with each kick and each leap higher and larger than the last. In the two biggest, longest numbers of the show, "Gaston " and "Be Our Guest," the ensemble managed not only to maintain energy, but also to build and swell it as the song progressed. Additionally, choral parts would have a round, full, warm sound, all thanks to the polished vocals of the ensemble.

A versatile yet detailed set allowed for several locations to be indicated without lengthy, distracting set changes; for instance, the ballroom simply folded out from the main interior of the castle with ease. Adding to the intricate simplicity of well-integrated tech was the lighting, which was able to denote setting changes without the actual movement of any set pieces, such as transitions from the town to the forest simply by lowering levels and bringing in green, foreboding hues.

Ever a surprise, Heritage High School kept its audience entranced in its production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. With exciting performances and imaginative designs, this is a production you "certain as the sun" do not want to miss.

Kristen Waagner
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Now

Fog fills the stage and instantly recognizable chords play as a beautiful enchantress curses a selfish prince, dooming him to remain a hideous beast until he learns to love. As the years pass, he begins to despair, for who could ever learn to love a beast? Heritage High School's production of "Beauty and the Beast" encapsulated all the magic of the beloved family classic, proving once and for all that true beauty is found within.

The tale of "Beauty and the Beast" was made wildly popular by the 1991 animated Disney film, and enjoyed a resurgence in popularity with a 2017 live-action version starring Emma Watson. The Broadway adaptation, conceived in 1994, includes music by the legendary trio of Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice; both classics like "Be Our Guest" and new favorites like "Home" find a place in the musical. The heartwarming love story follows Belle, the book-loving town outcast who just wants to find adventure in the great wide somewhere. Her wish for adventure is granted when she becomes the prisoner of a Beast, who hopes that she will be the one to teach him to love and break the curse upon his castle.

As the titular Beauty, Lyndsay Snider embodied Belle's headstrong, yet caring nature with nuanced choices that complemented her pleasant soprano vocals, best showcased in "A Change In Me." Her relationship with the Beast (Nick Trusty) evolved over the course of the show, from a charming friendship in "Something There" to a passionate chemistry after his transformation. Trusty's dynamic portrayal of the Beast allowed him to inhabit a wide spectrum of emotion, from red-hot fury to tender vulnerability.

Gokce Necioglu as the suave candelabra Lumiere was a true standout, thanks to incredible versatility in voice and movement. His stunning dance skills made "Be Our Guest," which also highlighted the prodigious ensemble, a spectacle, as he performed toe-touches, axel turns, and tap steps with apparent ease. Swaggering narcissist Gaston (Austin Richardson) and his incompetent, but spirited sidekick Lefou (Nick Farro) were highlighted in the highly enjoyable villain's number "Gaston," which featured Farro's hilarious character voice and the acrobatic skills of exceptional dancer Avery Kasper. The choreography awed the audience when Richardson, in a show of Gaston's amazing strength, lifted Kasper over his head to cheers from the cast.

The technical elements of "Beauty and the Beast" solidified the magical atmosphere of the Beast's castle and the peacefulness of Belle's quaint provincial village. Many aspects of the set, props, and special effects included a rose motif, notably in a beautiful stained-glass panel in the castle, which made evident a collective attention to detail by the technical crews. Creative lighting design established effective tableaus, and could take the scene from charming to sinister with just a few changes. Fog, shadows, and a versatile set also augmented enchanted moments, especially the Beast's transformation from man to animal and back again.

Complete with far-off places, magic spells, and a prince in disguise, Heritage High School has brought new life to a tale as old as time through "Beauty and the Beast."

Nadia Leiby
Loudoun Valley High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Times-Mirror

It may be a tale as old as time, but at Heritage High School's "Beauty and the Beast", prepare to fall under the spell of a truly unique production.

"Beauty and the Beast" is a musical by Alan Menken with book by Linda Woolverton. The musical is an adaptation of the 1991 Disney film, which itself is an adaption of the French fairytale by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont. This classic and harrowing tale tells of a young woman named Belle, whose world is secluded to a small town with no happiness but books and her father while being pursued by a nasty meathead named Gaston. One day trouble leads her to an enchanted castle where she discovers a terrifying beast - or so it seems. With the help of Belle, the Beast learns what it means to love once again.

At Heritage High School, Belle (Lyndsay Snider) brought a fresh breath to her character, playing a typically doe-eyed princess as nuanced and subtle. Snider's voice sounded very "Disney", which really brought the audience into the show. Every interaction between Belle and her father, Maurice (Jarrod Bock), who played to his character's age stunningly, was truly touching. The Beast (Nick Trusty) was a phenomenal singer and physical actor. Every song and monologue was three-dimensional, letting in on the inner torment between his half-human, half-animal persona. A true standout was Lumiere, played by Gökçe Necioglu. His dancing and vocals were impeccable, and his overall character work had the audience spellbound. The chemistry between Lumiere and Babette (Taylor Marshall) was the perfect amount of naughty and nice. Madame de la Grande Bouche (Allie Anderson), better known as the wardrobe, had great comedic timing. And no one could forget the loyal LeFou (Nick Farro), who not only lit up the stage with his energy and comedy, but with his wonderful voice. The ensemble shone through in songs like "Be Our Guest" and "Gaston", delivering high energy and lots of fun.

The tech in "Beauty and the Beast" was impressive. Makeup, done by Isabelle Jensen, encompassed the half-human qualities of everyone in the castle. The Beast, especially, still held some human features, which was wonderful to see during his emotional songs. Special effects (Makenna Buhler) were impressive, including large foggers and confetti cannons that shot rose petals to continue the rose-centered motif. The run crew, dressed in black morph suits to reduce visibility, were swift and efficient, making frequent and difficult set changes brief. The set itself (Shahid Salama, Paolo Mancini, Ava Driscoll) was impressive, complete with rotating sections and fall-away railings. A stained-glass window with a rose design at the top of the castle also lent a beautiful element to the stage.

If you're looking for a night of enchantment and curiosity, look no further than Heritage High School's "Beauty and the Beast". Come see it before the last petal falls… you never know what may happen.