MRHS's Beauty & The Beast - A Stunning Show Of Song & Skill
DescriptionAn article reviewing MRHS's recent rendition of Beauty & The Beast.
Message"Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme."
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DisneyIntroductionOn Tuesday, March 12th, I saw the MRHS Theatre Company's rendition of Beauty & The Beast. Personally, that is one of my favorite musical movies of all time. The stakes were high, to say the least. And they exceeded them in every way.
Just like 9 To 5 last year, the students at MRHS blew me away with their phenomenal talent. There is an indescribable feeling when watching your own peers sing and act and dance and spill their hearts out into a production of such a famous piece, and let me tell you, that feeling is expanded tenfold when those few moments of near-expert theatrics come through. I thought I knew what to expect, and I didn't.
So join me in overviewing this remarkable experience, and, if you haven't already, GO SEE IT FOR YOURSELF! There are shows on the 14th and 15th at 7 pm, and two on Saturday the 16th, with a matinee at 2 pm and a night show at 7 pm. But if you need a little more convincing, keep reading. By then, you'll understand why it's a must-watch.
The Story/MusicWe all know the story of Beauty & The Beast. If not, here are the basics:Belle, a young, book-loving girl in a French village, becomes imprisoned by a cursed prince who is the titular "Beast." Together, the two fall in love, albeit with slight bumps along the way, seeing through his gruesome form to find the beauty within him. This is all countered by Gaston, who has some unrequited love for Belle and seeks to marry her in any way possible, leading to both her parent being nearly locked up in an asylum and a ferocious fight with the Beast at his castle. In the end, Gaston almost kills the Beast, but falls off the edge of a balcony before hitting the final blow, leaving Belle and her grisly lover with what seem to be their final moments together. But with three words—"I love you!"—the Beast becomes a prince once more, converting not only him, but all of his castle helpers, back into human form, letting them live happily ever after.
When it comes down to the "music" part of this musical, all of the key ones were hit, including the one and only Beauty & The Beast (one of my legitimate favorite songs of all time). The tracklist also includes performances of Belle, Gaston, Be Our Guest, If I Can't Love Her, Human Again, and so many more. Each was sung so wonderfully by either individual cast members or the ensemble, and truly, some just shocked me with their voices (mind you I go to every MRHS concert and theatrical outing, yet they still had new tricks up their sleeves).
The PerformancesThere was so much to unpack from the performances put on last night, and everyone did great with their roles, but let's get specific. My main mentions have to go to senior Alexis Arruda and sophomore Faye Viprino, who played Belle and the Beast respectively. Arruda, closing out her time as co-president of the drama program, gave one of her best, improving upon her fantastic vocal range from 9 To 5 to play a Belle that will be remembered. Viprino also came through with a powerful performance as the feared monster in a castle, embracing the deepest and most commanding of parts with a subtly you would never expect from a high school production. Both lead with such fervor, and I wish Alexis the best of luck with her future career and can't way to see Faye in what's next!
Besides our two co-stars, one of the biggest performances came from Ben McGrath, who played Gaston in a way only he could. There is so much energy, so much natural stage presence, behind his every word and move, making him the only man for the job. At his side was always Boden Mabile, playing an ecstatic and elastic Lefou. Together, as they bounced around and fake arm-wrestled and pretend fought, they really made quite the duo, their natural chemistry bringing us a near-natural performance of a macho man and his sidekick.
Then there are the sentient housewares. Connor Francis as Cogsworth, Welly Holmes as Lumiere, Emory Hines as Babette, Chloe Thompson as Mrs. Potts, Dante Rossetti as Chip, and Leyla Holmes as Madame de la Grande Bouche, simply carried this show to excellence. Together as a group: amazing. Alone: amazing. Cogsworth and Lumiere bickering: genuinely amazing. And with Welly's wonderfully donned French accent, he definitely makes his mark throughout, especially with Be Our Guest. Thompson effortlessly and excellently sang the iconic namesake song, her part as Potts giving her one of the biggest and most vocally demanding roles I've seen her do yet. Just a round of applause to them all.
The ShoutoutsFirstly, bravo to the pit band. You all played for two(ish) hours straight BEHIND THE SCENES just to ensure we had the best experience. Insanity. Everyone from that band should be proud, and thank you for making the show truly feel magical.
Let's also give the crew some appreciation. Between lights done by Kayandra Watson and Charlotte Mahoney, sound and design board operations by Quill Adamsons, and co-stage managers Tim Gray and Charlotte Skinner, there was such an atmosphere and sense of quality to the production in the entrancing MRHS Auditorium. And the stage crew? Yeah, I didn't forget you. Absolutely iconic work my friends. Every one of you in the crew made this a reality.
I would lastly like to mention Rachel Barnes, Rosemarie Richard, and Aaron Bolton for their work as director, musical director, and technical director of this version of Beauty & The Beast, coming together with these students and so many others to immerse the audience not only visually, but sonically as well.
All the actors and crew did phenomenal jobs, regardless of a shout-out. It's a team effort; it cannot work unless all are one. And with this show, that is beyond true. Congrats on a great opening night, and I know each one from here will just be better and better!
ConclusionGO SEE THIS SHOW! These kids, from all walks of life, from all levels of high school, from all places in their theatrical journey, have come together to make four nights of a lifetime, putting on a show that can only be called stunning. The story and songs and pure skill it takes to do it all just prove both the magic of the arts, and of students at MRHS. They have something special, and they deserve to know it. And YOU? You deserve to experience it. Like said before, there are shows on the 14th and 15th at 7 pm, and two on Saturday the 16th, with a matinee at 2 pm and a night show at 7 pm. Enjoy!
Buy tickets here: msbtickets.com/monomoyregionalhighschool/schoolevents
Just like 9 To 5 last year, the students at MRHS blew me away with their phenomenal talent. There is an indescribable feeling when watching your own peers sing and act and dance and spill their hearts out into a production of such a famous piece, and let me tell you, that feeling is expanded tenfold when those few moments of near-expert theatrics come through. I thought I knew what to expect, and I didn't.
So join me in overviewing this remarkable experience, and, if you haven't already, GO SEE IT FOR YOURSELF! There are shows on the 14th and 15th at 7 pm, and two on Saturday the 16th, with a matinee at 2 pm and a night show at 7 pm. But if you need a little more convincing, keep reading. By then, you'll understand why it's a must-watch.
The Story/MusicWe all know the story of Beauty & The Beast. If not, here are the basics:Belle, a young, book-loving girl in a French village, becomes imprisoned by a cursed prince who is the titular "Beast." Together, the two fall in love, albeit with slight bumps along the way, seeing through his gruesome form to find the beauty within him. This is all countered by Gaston, who has some unrequited love for Belle and seeks to marry her in any way possible, leading to both her parent being nearly locked up in an asylum and a ferocious fight with the Beast at his castle. In the end, Gaston almost kills the Beast, but falls off the edge of a balcony before hitting the final blow, leaving Belle and her grisly lover with what seem to be their final moments together. But with three words—"I love you!"—the Beast becomes a prince once more, converting not only him, but all of his castle helpers, back into human form, letting them live happily ever after.
When it comes down to the "music" part of this musical, all of the key ones were hit, including the one and only Beauty & The Beast (one of my legitimate favorite songs of all time). The tracklist also includes performances of Belle, Gaston, Be Our Guest, If I Can't Love Her, Human Again, and so many more. Each was sung so wonderfully by either individual cast members or the ensemble, and truly, some just shocked me with their voices (mind you I go to every MRHS concert and theatrical outing, yet they still had new tricks up their sleeves).
The PerformancesThere was so much to unpack from the performances put on last night, and everyone did great with their roles, but let's get specific. My main mentions have to go to senior Alexis Arruda and sophomore Faye Viprino, who played Belle and the Beast respectively. Arruda, closing out her time as co-president of the drama program, gave one of her best, improving upon her fantastic vocal range from 9 To 5 to play a Belle that will be remembered. Viprino also came through with a powerful performance as the feared monster in a castle, embracing the deepest and most commanding of parts with a subtly you would never expect from a high school production. Both lead with such fervor, and I wish Alexis the best of luck with her future career and can't way to see Faye in what's next!
Besides our two co-stars, one of the biggest performances came from Ben McGrath, who played Gaston in a way only he could. There is so much energy, so much natural stage presence, behind his every word and move, making him the only man for the job. At his side was always Boden Mabile, playing an ecstatic and elastic Lefou. Together, as they bounced around and fake arm-wrestled and pretend fought, they really made quite the duo, their natural chemistry bringing us a near-natural performance of a macho man and his sidekick.
Then there are the sentient housewares. Connor Francis as Cogsworth, Welly Holmes as Lumiere, Emory Hines as Babette, Chloe Thompson as Mrs. Potts, Dante Rossetti as Chip, and Leyla Holmes as Madame de la Grande Bouche, simply carried this show to excellence. Together as a group: amazing. Alone: amazing. Cogsworth and Lumiere bickering: genuinely amazing. And with Welly's wonderfully donned French accent, he definitely makes his mark throughout, especially with Be Our Guest. Thompson effortlessly and excellently sang the iconic namesake song, her part as Potts giving her one of the biggest and most vocally demanding roles I've seen her do yet. Just a round of applause to them all.
The ShoutoutsFirstly, bravo to the pit band. You all played for two(ish) hours straight BEHIND THE SCENES just to ensure we had the best experience. Insanity. Everyone from that band should be proud, and thank you for making the show truly feel magical.
Let's also give the crew some appreciation. Between lights done by Kayandra Watson and Charlotte Mahoney, sound and design board operations by Quill Adamsons, and co-stage managers Tim Gray and Charlotte Skinner, there was such an atmosphere and sense of quality to the production in the entrancing MRHS Auditorium. And the stage crew? Yeah, I didn't forget you. Absolutely iconic work my friends. Every one of you in the crew made this a reality.
I would lastly like to mention Rachel Barnes, Rosemarie Richard, and Aaron Bolton for their work as director, musical director, and technical director of this version of Beauty & The Beast, coming together with these students and so many others to immerse the audience not only visually, but sonically as well.
All the actors and crew did phenomenal jobs, regardless of a shout-out. It's a team effort; it cannot work unless all are one. And with this show, that is beyond true. Congrats on a great opening night, and I know each one from here will just be better and better!
ConclusionGO SEE THIS SHOW! These kids, from all walks of life, from all levels of high school, from all places in their theatrical journey, have come together to make four nights of a lifetime, putting on a show that can only be called stunning. The story and songs and pure skill it takes to do it all just prove both the magic of the arts, and of students at MRHS. They have something special, and they deserve to know it. And YOU? You deserve to experience it. Like said before, there are shows on the 14th and 15th at 7 pm, and two on Saturday the 16th, with a matinee at 2 pm and a night show at 7 pm. Enjoy!
Buy tickets here: msbtickets.com/monomoyregionalhighschool/schoolevents
