Disney's Beauty and the Beast
at Tuscarora High School

Reviewed on May 7, 2022

Diana Altenhof
Stone Bridge High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

If it's ten years you've been rusting, needing so much more than dusting, then come on and lift your glass! You've won your own free pass to be Tuscarora High School's guest for their delightful rendition of "Beauty and the Beast."

"Beauty and the Beast" is a musical adapted from the animated Disney film of the same name, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. It debuted to critical acclaim in 1994 and went on to become Broadway's tenth longest-running show of all time. The story finds inspiration from the classic French fairy tale, "La Belle et la Bête."

The vain Prince Adam (Patrick Hensley) is cursed to transform into the titular hideous Beast for his cruelty and lives his life secluded in his castle in the forest. His poor castle attendants are left to become magical household objects and yearn to be human again. When the Beast imprisons Belle's father (DJ Strigel), Belle (Claudia Hunn) takes his place, providing a chance to break the curse.

Claudia Hunn as Belle gave the beloved princess her own spin with assertiveness and an admirable delivery of the story through song. Hunn incorporated a heartful touch into every interaction with her outcast father and displayed a true transformation of her own as she navigated befriending and loving Patrick Hensley's brutish Beast. Hunn and Hensley's clean, engaging chemistry made their dynamic joyful to watch.

Prince Adam's castle, off the map and lost to time, was still alive with laughter, warmth, and dynamic personalities. The enchanted ensemble boasted magical objects of all sorts, from the suave, tap-dancing candelabra Lumiere (Tyler Steeprow), to the endearing, dove-voiced Mrs. Potts (Dillan Vanzego), and even dancing cutlery and rose petals. The quirky collection gave a welcoming charm to the cursed castle.

Amanda Anthony as LeFou, right-hand man to the bombastic Gaston (Ryan De Angioletti), used their impeccable energy and physical articulations to make a rollicking time in the French countryside. Anthony's deliberate character choices made comedic magic, whether thrown over De Angioletti's shoulder like a sack of provincial grain, leading an energetic mob's hunt through the aisles, or knocking steins in the tavern.

Across the delightful and spellbound world of "Beauty and the Beast," Claudia Hunn's costuming team decked each fairytale player in impressive handmade pieces and executed over sixty quick costume changes to keep the magic moving. Ryan De Angioletti's set team constructed the entirety of the provincial village of Villeneuve, as well as Prince Adam's stately palace, complete with massive, hand-painted stained glass windows. As Jordan Ayoub and Elise Bradin's lighting designs misted the country mornings and gleamed on elegant dinners, the windows mimicked real translucency.

Tuscarora High School's "Beauty and the Beast" spun a classic story on its head to give songs as old as rhyme a fresh perspective from a new day. No one's gloomy or complaining while the flatware's entertaining, so go on -- be their guest!

Aidan McNerney
Bishop Ireton High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Tuscarora High School delivered an enchanted performance of Beauty and the Beast.

This show, based on the classic Disney animated film, features music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. It tells the story of a brilliant and brave young woman who takes her father's spot as prisoner in the castle of a prince who had been cursed to become a beast. Before the curse becomes permanent, the other inhabitants, cursed to become various household objects, attempt to make the two fall in love despite their differences.

This performance featured strong ensembles for both the villagers and the enchanted objects. It both provided compelling background acting and a variety of choreography in songs such as "Gaston" and "Be Our Guest." The ensemble of "Les Filles De La Ville" (Zoe Benton, Dakota Glaesser, Emma Marfia, and Ava Peach) was particularly notable, as each member was consistently entertaining to watch. Each group was overall highly energetic, and "The Mob Song" was especially engaging.

As Belle, Claudia Hunn led the production with gorgeous vocals and an enthralling emotional range, particularly shining in songs such as "Home" and "A Change in Me." Patrick Hensley complemented her well as Prince Adam, the Beast, with strong vocals and impressive character development throughout the show. Mrs. Potts (Dillan Vanzego) was also a particular standout for her stunning voice, especially in the titular number of "Beauty and the Beast." Vanzego also served as choreographer.

Tyler Steeprow was thoroughly entertaining as Lumiere, and he displayed excellent chemistry with both Cogsworth (MacArthur Maryn) and Babette (Queen Kincaide), who also showcased excellent dancing. Gaston (Ryan De Angioletti) and LeFou (Amanda Anthony) had an engaging dynamic and were quite amusing, although Gaston became genuinely scary by the end of the show. De Angioletti was also notable for his role as the show's technical director. Chip (Jaidan Braddock) brought an infectious sense of joy, especially when surrounded by their siblings, an adorable group of elementary schoolers.

The show boasted an impressive number of elegant set pieces, including an elaborately constructed castle with staircases and beautiful stained-glass windows. The set was highly detailed and several pieces were able to be used for multiple purposes. Despite the potential challenges of including so many pieces, the space was utilized so that the audience often had action to focus on even during transitions. The costumes were memorable, particularly for those of the enchanted objects, which had fun elements such as lights for Lumiere, drawers for Madame De La Grande Bouche (a dresser), and pieces that fell off from Cogsworth's clock. The actors also deserve special commendations for managing to move around so easily in such costumes. The Beast's mask and costume were also quite convincing. The show also had an excellent lighting design, using a variety of colors to reflect tonal shifts and unique effects to provide a beautiful atmosphere.

Belle reminds us that "home should be where the heart is," and the members of Tuscarora High School's production truly put their hearts into this show.

Mary Hitchcock
St. Paul VI Catholic High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

It may be a "tale as old as time," but the cast and crew at Tuscarora High School proved there's a reason why Beauty and the Beast is a "tune as old as song."

A beloved classic, Beauty and the Beast is a 1993 musical by Linda Woolverton. Originating as an 18th century French fairytale and followed more recently by the 1991 animated Disney film, Beauty and the Beast remains one of the most treasured stories. It details the harrowing, exciting, and romantic chronicle of a prince, who must learn to love before he remains in the body of a beast forever. When he stumbles upon Belle, however, everything changes as she introduces a much needed spirit of hope, empathy, and even sass to the gloomy enchanted castle. Along the way, Belle teaches the Prince a few things about manners and humanity.

Leading the cast as the girl destined to break the spell was Claudia Hunn as the confident Belle. Hunn's charming strength shone most especially through her rendition of "Home." Acting and dancing hand in hand was Patrick Hensley as Prince Adam/the Beast. Hensley reflected the character's physical and emotional changes brilliantly, especially in his ballad, "If I Can't Love Her." The two were paired brilliantly, from establishing their initial relationship, to showing the beginning of a friendship together, to finally establishing that there was "something there" between them.

Enchanting the castle and leading the magical objects were Tyler Steeprow and MacArthur Maryn as Lumiere and Cogsworth, respectively. With Steeprow's easy-going nature and Maryn's need to follow the rules, the two acted as the perfect companions for Belle. With them all the way was Dillan Vanzego as Mrs. Potts. Vanzego's smooth charm and motherly nature was endearing and delightful especially through her delightful performance of "Beauty and the Beast".

The village ensemble was nothing short of energetic as they set the tone for the performance as they sang and danced their way through "Belle." Notably, Ryan De Angioletti as Gaston and Amanda Anthony as LeFou radiated vitality in "Gaston" and "The Mob Song."

Costumes by Claudia Hunn, Eliza Noyd, and Lukas Sandoval were dazzling. They navigated dozens of intricate costumes and quick changes, while maintaining the integrity of the original Disney movie costumes. Notably, the castle objects each had a thoughtful design, and there was a colorful assortment of clothes in the town. The lights by Jordan Ayoub illuminated the stage wonderfully, and added another dimension to the performance when there were spotlights to the side or around the audience. Choreography by Dillan Vanzego was masterfully created, as each song included thoughtful and engaging dances.

Course by course and one by one, Tuscarora High School transported the audience from a "provincial town" to an enchanted castle majestically. Exciting for children and adults alike, they perfectly encapsulated the innocent wonder of such a magical show!

Hayley Asai
Quince Orchard High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Now

Just under thirty years have passed since Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" first fascinated theatergoers with its fantastical interpretation of the classic fairytale. But Tuscarora High School's production presents like a well-worn but beloved book, bursting with familiar joys while still enthralling the viewer with a refreshing take.

It's heartfelt and hilarious, glamorous and reminiscent of the dazzling original production, masterfully executed and ravishing visually. Beauty and the Beast is the pinnacle of what theatre can provide: an honest chuckle, a genuinely good time, and one of Disney's most beloved musicals stunningly executed -- and refined -- to reflect the humanity at the core of the show.

The impassioned bookworm facing her adventure of a lifetime? Played with captivating skill by Claudia Hunn. She's down-to-earth and adventurous, rather than an ingenue, as first written. Hunn's Belle had an organic emotional depth that grounded the show and appealed to the raw emotion the story is capable of. Her Belle was a compassionate yet logical protagonist, mirroring the Beast's rage right back at him and soaring gracefully through the score -- all while simply caring for her father.

Meanwhile, Patrick Hensley's astonishingly fiery portrayal of Prince Adam (the Beast), at first stubborn and a temperamental man-child, skillfully manipulated his acting to smartly transform the character into a gentle and caring love interest while simultaneously executing the difficult score.

The rest of the beloved castle objects? They're just as whimsical as the original, like the Candelabra, Lumiere, (played by Tyler Steeprow) who tap danced his way through the showstopping number ‘Be Our Guest'. Likewise, when Mrs. Potts, played by Victoria Ezumah, started in with the gentle first notes of the time-honored song "Beauty and the Beast," there was a fascinating refinement to it that flirted with perfection.

Gaston's incompetent right-hand-man Lefou, played by Amanda Anthony, swaggered around onstage and remarked idiotically, deftly reminding the audience why the character's name means ‘the fool.' Anthony was so humorous and so confident in the role, viewing their performance was a privilege unto itself. Likewise, Babette, aptly portrayed by Queen Kincaide, delivered just the right amount of flirt and sass. Kincaid and Steeprow's chemistry crackled with electricity as they chased each other across the stage and quipped back and forth as long-time partners would.


The towering set created by Rachael Giessmann was imaginative, grand, and whimsical in visual surprise, a stunning gothic edifice with brilliant stained glass. The castle and quaint village transported audiences into the marvelous world of 18th century France. Similarly, the refined and dazzling costumes, designed by Claudia Hunn, Eliza Noyd, and Lukas Sandoval were a spectacle to behold. The team's work featured stunning gowns for Belle, an impressive array of cutlery for the castle objects, and historically-inspired details on all of the pieces.

The production beautifully spotlighted Menken's lush score, with its orchestra situated in the aisle in front of the stage. Chris Claudio-Segovia played the flute and piccolo with an arresting delicacy and fragility. Percussionist Jayden Bruce also played alongside the rest of the orchestra with masterful talent that elevated the entire sound of the production.

"Beauty and the Beast" has always been at the heart of what it means to prioritize compassion and kindness. But rarely has our need for hope and empathy seemed as crucial and pressing as it does right now. Like any classic, "Beauty and the Beast" should provide the ever-insightful reminder to the audience that patience and understanding can always be spared. And Tuscarora's impeccable production of "Beauty and the Beast" does exactly that.

Hayden Polsky
Quince Orchard High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Times-Mirror

There are a million ways to say it - love is blind, beauty comes from within, beauty is in the eye of the beholder - at some point in life, everyone has heard one of these expressions. But what do they actually mean? Tuscarora High School answers that question with their new production of Beauty and the Beast, showcasing the message that love blossoms from a true understanding of the character of your partner.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast is based on the 1740 French fairytale "La Belle et la Bete," written by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve. It was adapted in 1991 by the Walt Disney Company as a feature film musical animation, instantly becoming a classic of the era. After its success at the box office, Disney partnered with Alan Menken and Tim Rice, and recreated it as a Broadway musical starring Susan Egan and Terrence Mann. It went on to become the 10th longest-running Broadway show in history with a popular high school version.

The musical follows Belle (the lovely Claudia Hunn), a bright and charming young woman living in France with her father Maurice (the wonderfully expressive DJ Strigel). When Maurice finds himself captured by a ferocious spellbound beast (the terrifying yet warm Patrick Hensley), Belle takes his place as the Beast's prisoner. The castle's other occupants, a group of sentient enchanted objects, encourage the two to fall in love in hopes of finally breaking the spell that condemned them all to life as candlesticks, clocks, and beastly figures.

The wonderful thing about Tuscarora's production of this classic musical was the way the cast worked together to tell the story. Hunn and Hensley perfectly captured the complex and nuanced chemistry between Belle and the Beast, sharing everything from believable intimate moments to incredibly convincing screaming matches. Tyler Steeprow and MacArthur Maryn as Lumiere and Cogsworth, respectively, showcased their "best-friends" energy through their hilarious banter as the Beast's wingmen in his pursuit to woo Belle. The two also worked well with the charming Dillan Vanzego as Mrs. Potts in her role as Belle's guardian in the castle. Additionally, Vanzego's beautiful singing voice made iconic numbers such as "Beauty and the Beast" and "Human Again" soar, bringing her unconventional but brilliant take on the character to life.

No production is complete without a talented crew working behind the scenes to make the production shine. Lighting designer Jordan Ayoub worked seamlessly with scenic artist Rachael Giessmann to bring the world of the musical to the stage. Giessmann's set design, with the help of student dramaturg Joelle Aheto, reflected the architecture and artistic styles of the time, and Ayoub's use of color to depict the emotion of a particular scene allowed the audience to fully understand the journey of the characters.

Also important in any musical is, well, the music. Tuscarora's pit orchestra impressed from the first note of the overture to the button of the finale, perfectly playing every note in Menken's complex score. Particularly of note were flautists Chris Claudio-Segovia, Abby Cochran, and Katelyn Hudack, impressively pulling off a particularly difficult role in the music.

Tuscarora's production of Beauty and the Beast accomplished exactly what it set out to do - tell a classic story in a new, exciting way that allowed the audience to fully understand the moral of the story: true love comes from an appreciation of a person's character, and not their external appearance. By relying on the strength of the company as a whole, instead of any one person, the audience was enthralled by the sense of community presented in this production.

Kayla Katounas
Centreville High School
Submitted for publication to Blue Ridge Leader

The story of Belle and the Beast is a tale as old as time, but Tuscarora High School's Disney's Beauty and the Beast made it new again.

Beauty and the Beast is a classic fairy tale, made iconic by the 1991 animated Disney film. Debuting on Broadway in 1994, it became one of the longest running shows, eventually closing in 2007. The story follows Belle, who takes the place of her kidnapped father in the castle of a prince cursed to be a beast. The prince hopes to fall in love to break the curse set on him and others in the castle.

Each aspect of the production was more magical than the last, with so many intricate technical elements enhancing already strong performances from each actor. Each set, costume, and lighting decision made the stage feel straight out of a storybook. This set the stage for the actors to come in with beautiful vocals and emotional performances. In a show packed with romance and affection between characters, the chemistry between every actor was what really tied the production together.

At the center of the show was Belle, played by Claudia Hunn, whose vocals shined immediately upon entering from the audience during "Belle." Belle is a character who undergoes a range of emotions, from anger to despair to love, and Hunn navigated this very well. Patrick Hensley's Prince Adam, also known as the beast, also stood out, particularly while singing "If I Can't Love Her," an emotional ballad and a great way to close the first act.

The supporting cast also shined very brightly, with Dillan Vanzego's Mrs. Potts appearing as a reassuring figure and effortlessly commanding attention while singing the show's title song. The show's villains, Gaston and sidekick LeFou, played by Ryan De Angioletti and Amanda Anthony, respectively, provided strong comic relief, especially in one of the strongest songs of the whole performance - "Gaston." Cogsworth (MacArthur Maryn), Lumiere (Tyler Steeprow), and Babette (Queen Kincaide) also performed extremely well, especially as they showcased the romance between Babette and Lumiere.

The technical skill and attention to detail in the production is something that Tuscarora should be extremely proud of. The set design (by Ryan De Angioletti, Rachael Giessmann, Will Anderson), featured multifunctional moving pieces, a tall staircase structure used when the characters were within the castle, and a breakaway window that made Gaston's death surprising even to those who knew it was coming. The costuming (by Claudia Hunn, Eliza Noyd, Lukas Sandoval, Emma Marfia) was also very strong, with every character fitting into the time period, with the help of student dramaturg Joelle Aheto. The lighting (by Jordan Ayoub, Elise Bradin) was also very noticeable with the use of several colors to fit the mood. The lights were red during the intense mob song, and blue during the sad and cold time when the beast transformed into a monster. The entire tech department went above and beyond and it showed.

In a magical production straight out of a fairy tale, Tuscarora High School created a production that placed the audience in the world of a Disney classic, if only for a few hours.

Lauren Allen
Bishop Ireton High School
Submitted for publication to The Pack

Bringing a story as classic and well-known as Disney's Beauty and the Beast to the stage can be a daunting task for any high school. However, the drama students at Tuscarora High School were able to put their own unique spin on this "tale as old as time."

Disney's Beauty and the Beast, based on the French fairytale of the same name, opened on Broadway in 1994. The story, featuring Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice's classic songs, tells the tale of Belle, a young woman longing for more adventure in her life, and Prince Adam, who has been cursed to live for all eternity as a hideous Beast if he cannot learn to love and be loved in return.

The production featured a large ensemble cast of villagers, wolves, and enchanted objects. Despite its size, each member of the cast was able to establish themselves and their relationship with the other characters. The choreography, created by Dillan Vanzego, was also one of the strong points of the show and played to the strengths of each actor onstage.

One of the most important elements in Beauty and the Beast is the relationship between the titular characters. Claudia Hunn and Patrick Hensley (as Belle and Prince Adam, respectively) were able to establish a believable relationship and show a strong contrast between the stubbornness both characters showed in the first act, and the gentle, tenderness in the second act. Both had very strong vocal performances throughout.

Some of the most memorable performances in the show were from the enchanted objects in Prince Adam's castle, featured heavily in songs such as "Be Our Guest," and "Human Again." One of the standouts was Tyler Steeprow as Lumiere, an enchanted candelabra. Steeprow managed to balance the lighthearted humor of the character while also having serious moments with MacArthur Maryn's Cogsworth. Another highlight of the show was Lumiere's relationship with Babette, played by Queen Kincaide. Though the two did not get a lot of stage time together, they were able to make an impact on the audience and stole every scene they were in.

The production's main set was an impressively large castle, featuring stained glass windows made by the students, designed by Ryan De Angioletti, Rachael Giessmann, and Will Anderson. There were also many smaller, multipurpose set pieces used to further enhance the story. Each set had a clear purpose and attention to detail that drew the audience into the story and allowed them to escape into the fairytale world.

There are many challenges when presenting a "tale as old as time" like Beauty and the Beast. Tuscarora High School's students were able to rise above these challenges and provide their own, fresh take on this classic for the ages.

Sabrina Robles
Woodbridge Senior High School
Submitted for publication to The Pack

It is not easy to put on a production of a well known show, but Tuscarora rose to the occasion. Everyone was awed and inspired by Tuscarora High School's production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast and it's not very hard to see why.

The musical Disney's Beauty and the Beast was written by Linda Woolverton, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. It was adapted from the Walt Disney 1991 animated film by the same name. Disney's Beauty and the Beast is one of the longest running Broadway musicals of all time. It premiered on Broadway on April 18, 1994 and ran for 13 years. The film and musical are based off of a French fairy tale by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont. It tells the story of a prince who gets cursed into an ugly beast as punishment for his selfish ways. He imprisons a beautiful lady from the village in his castle. In order to reverse the curse, he must get the lady to fall in love with him before it is too late.

Tuscarora had the audience drawn in from the moment the curtain opened, all thanks to Ryan De Angioletti, Rachael Giessmann, and Will Anderson. The set was astonishing, especially the castle. The design of varying stairway and platform types was beautiful, not to mention the stained glass windows. The construction and design of such a set, done completely by students, was exceptional. The set completed the immersion into the world of 18th century France and had the audience awed from the get go.

Similarly, the audience was awed by Amanda Anthony who portrayed LeFou. The energy that Anthony brought to the stage was unparalleled. LeFou never had the audience bored. The body language Anthony used perfectly showcased LeFou's little quirks and personality, especially how much he looked up to Gaston. All of Anthony's movements, from the way LeFou walked to slight gestures of the arm, were big and filled the entire space. Also memorable were LeFou's vocal traits. Anthony perfectly picked different tones and inflections, not only further displaying to the audience the character LeFou was, but also giving the audience many laughs.

In addition to Anthony's portrayal of LeFou, their chemistry with Ryan De Angioletti was exemplary. De Angioletti, portraying Gaston, had an incredible dynamic with Anthony. The two perfectly bounced off of each other and truly seemed like they had been old friends for years, with LeFou obviously idolizing Gaston. Another dynamic that was superb was the chemistry between Babette and Lumiere. Lumiere, played by Tyler Steeprow, and Babette, played by Queen Kincaide, flawlessly executed the couple that the audience knows and loves. They constantly matched each other's energy and built off of each other, making the audience fall more in love with them with every interaction.

Furthermore, the beauty and the beast themselves had the audience on the edge of their seats, of course. Belle, played by Claudia Hunn, and Prince Adam (the Beast), played by Patrick Hensley, had the audience filled with emotion as they watched them go from hating each other to falling in love. The tenderness that grew from their original hatred and the portrayal of that was a major testimony to their chemistry with each other.

Surprisingly, many of the actors in this production also had hefty technical positions and roles. The versatility of the students at Tuscarora was something to envy. Altogether, Tuscarora captured the true essence of Beauty and the Beast, and it is certainly not something to be missed.