CVHS theater to perform ‘Beauty and the Beast’

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The Chippewa Valley High School theater program invites you to come be their guest as they perform “Beauty and the Beast” this November.

Last performed by the student players in December 2011, the version of the classic French story will be the Broadway musical adapted from Disney’s 1991 animated film.

“This came out on Broadway shortly after (the movie) and ran on Broadway for a number of years, and now it has been touring around community theaters, high school theaters (and) civic groups,” said Nick Marinello, a Chippewa Valley High School teacher and the director of the show. “They make slight alterations from Broadway to touring to what the schools have access to, but by and large, it is the same show that, if you saw it on Broadway, this would be basically the same show.”

Those who saw an original Broadway or touring performance of the show may find themselves feeling some déjà vu at Chippewa Valley’s performance. After all, the school is renting an original, touring-used set for the production.

“(Renting sets) is not something new to us necessarily, but we are renting one of the Broadway touring sets,” Marinello said. “It will be the same set that, if you were to go see this in a professional house, you would see. This is a Broadway touring-level set, which means it is more advanced than we have had previously.”

Though most shows have sets made by the Chippewa Valley technical crew and are usually ready much sooner than rented sets, Marinello says “Beauty and the Beast” is a production special enough to warrant such a high-caliber set.

“I think (it is) the iconic nature of it, because it is so well known,” Marinello said. “The movie was so big and the musical is popular, and now second and third generations are starting to discover ‘Beauty and the Beast’ again. On top of that, it’s a popular story, and so I think it is something that there is no question in the community about what the show is.”

The well-known quality of the show sets it apart from some of the other productions Chippewa Valley has done, such as a production of the “Big Fish,” adapted from the 2003 Tim Burton film.

Since the Chippewa Valley theater program does not cut actors, the program selects shows that allow for large or even multiple casts. This leads to some roles being double casted — such as Belle, who is played by Courtney Serra and Holly Zamojski — and means there can be several interpretations of the characters.

“For Holly, (Belle is) always really bright and smiley,” Ella Schulte — who plays Mary, the Baker’s Wife — said. “As soon as she gets on stage, I feel the energy from her. And … from Courtney’s perspective, I still get the same feeling, but it’s way more minute. I feel like I get more of an intelligent feel for the books and stuff.”

The cast and crew have been focused on the show almost as long as school has been in session, and they are excited for performances to begin.

“It will blow the crowd’s socks off,” Nathan Davey, who plays Gaston, said.

“Beauty and the Beast’’ will be performed on Nov. 11, Nov. 12, Nov. 17, Nov. 18 and Nov. 19 at 7 p.m., with a 1 p.m. matinee on Nov. 19, as well. Tickets can be purchased through cvhsmusicals.org and audience members are asked to bring new or gently used books for donation to the Clinton-Macomb Public Library.