North students bring out the ‘Beauty’ and humor of a classic fairytale

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — Grosse Pointe North High School students are bringing their vocal and acting talents to a classic Disney musical.

The school is staging “Beauty and the Beast” in North’s Performing Arts Auditorium at 7 p.m. Nov. 17, 18 and 19, and at 2 p.m. Nov. 19.

The show stars senior Ryan Lutes, 17, of Grosse Pointe Woods, as the Beast, and junior Avani Davis, 16, of Grosse Pointe Woods, as Belle, a bright and spirited young woman who challenges the Beast. Lutes plays a young prince trapped in the Beast’s body by an enchantress’s spell; he must learn how to love and be loved to save himself and the members of his household.

Lutes has done other musicals at North, including “The Sound of Music” and “Fiddler on the Roof,” but he said he’s “thrilled” to be playing a lead this time. In addition to the public shows, Lutes said the cast will also be performing for elementary and middle school audiences during the school day.

“It really is a show where a kid can sit down and be enthralled or an adult can sit down and be enthralled, as well, by the witty humor,” Lutes said.

For Davis, this is her first show since she was in seventh grade. North Theater Director Michael A. Gravame was wowed by her audition, saying Davis “captured the innocence” of Belle while also bringing out the character’s spunk.

“So far, I’m having so much fun,” Davis said. “If I can do this as a career, I would love it.”

Ornate, detailed costumes are expected to dazzle audiences, along with performances from a solid cast.

This show is a memorable sendoff for several seniors.

“I’ve been involved with music and theater and performing the majority of my life,” said Naima Wright, 17, a senior from Grosse Pointe Woods who plays Mrs. Potts. “The whole atmosphere on stage is really positive and uplifting. I’m glad I can do it with people I love.”

Senior Gavin DeFillippo, 17, of Grosse Pointe Woods, plays Cogsworth.

“I’m mostly in it for the audience,” DeFillippo said. “I love feeling I can make people laugh. It’s really rewarding.”

Wright and DeFillippo both said they’d like to study musical theater in college, possibly as a minor.

Junior Mac Graham, 17, of Grosse Pointe Woods, plays Maurice. Although he plans to study finance in college, he said his acting experience will help him with video editing.

“It’s a lot of fun, getting to connect with everyone,” Graham said. “Ninety percent of my friendships have been made through this program.”

Graham’s friend, senior Jake Sachs, 17, of Grosse Pointe Shores, plays Gaston.

“I have always loved theater,” said Sachs, who hopes to continue to perform as a hobby in adulthood. “I have been waiting for my senior show. I’m grateful it’s been so much fun and such a positive experience.”

The cast also includes two 12-year-old Parcells Middle School seventh graders: Tennyson Fiske, who plays Chip, and Andrew Glynn, who plays Salt Shaker. Both are from Grosse Pointe Woods.

“It feels kind of weird, because I’m not supposed to be here but I’m supposed to be here,” said Fiske of being at North and performing in a high school production.

Glynn agreed and said he felt honored to be part of the cast.

“It’s really cool to be performing at this level,” Glynn said.

Both of the them are looking forward to their own days at North.

“I think theater is a way to express yourself,” Glynn said.

With iconic songs like “Be Our Guest” and the title track, “Beauty and the Beast” is a fairytale that appeals to all ages. Gravame said it’s also a “female empowerment story” centered by the courageous Belle.

“People are going to love it, no matter who they are, no matter how old they are,” DeFillippo said. “It’s just a great show.”

Gravame, who has directed this show twice before at other venues, said audiences love “the music (and) the over-the-top silliness of the (supporting) characters,” but there’s more than that to the story.

“(There’s) also the message that beauty is found from within,” Gravame said.

Grosse Pointe North High School is located at 707 Vernier Road in Grosse Pointe Woods. For advance tickets, visit search.seatyourself.biz/webstore/accounts/gpndramaclub/buy-tix?landingMessageSeen=true&priceCode=.