Beauty and the Beast comes to life on stage

LeFou, Steven Kopp, raises the arm of Gaston, played by Joe Peck, to remind him how masculine he is. (Jered Engelking photo)

by Jered Engelking

Roses, love, and enchantments filled the heads of Montezuma Junior High students as they performed the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast for their fall play on Friday, Nov. 12.

Luke Goodman as the Beast, Sidney Ehret as Belle, and Joe Peck as Gaston filled the lead roles. Vocal Music Director Carol Behounek was pleased with the casting. “The students brought out the best of all characters,” said Behounek.

 Throughout the play, the audience experienced a roller coaster of emotions and was entertained the whole night.

Peck played Gaston, the hunter, who continually showed his strength by flexing his biceps to fight off the silly girls while trying to woo Belle. 

When Belle sang about wanting to fit in, Ehret’s strong and heartfelt voice drew upon the melancholy spirit of her loneliness. 

Goodman demonstrated a character in evolution as he changed from the Prince with a bad attitude to the Beast and back to the prince after his love for Belle broke the curse.

Narrators were Brady Cameron, Katie Maschmann, Alisha Arendt, Siara Broadston, Ceirah Catron, Fernanda Lopez, Caitlin Hicks, Megan Baker, Ashley Moore, Taylor Ives, Aliya Pargeon, and Emma Karnes.

The wolves were Skyler Romberg, Brody McKeag, Trent Salsman and Jake Shaver. Steve Kopp and Caleb Talbert were LeFou and Monsieur D’arque. Vanessa Minner, Mackenzie James and Cheyenne Peters were cast as “silly girls.”

Trevor Moyer, Tyler Geiger, Seth Fahlenkamp, Kerri Gregory, Clara Johnson, Travis Lewis and Cassie Farrington were various enchanted items in the castle.  Other villagers included Aliya Pargeon, Emma Karnes, Taylor Ives, Ashley Moore, Jake Shaver, Skyler Romberg, Kaylene Corbin, Trent Salsman, Brody McKeag, Megan Baker, Keira Blanke, Shayla Townsend and Brittany Bender.

The servants were Heaven Lorenz, Laci Brennan, Lexie Smith, Katie Maschmann, Fernanda Lopez, Siara Broadston, Ceirah Catron, Caitlin Hicks, Brady Cameron and Christian Schmitz. The statue guards were Cole Corbin and Frank Gillum.

The play lasted from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Conner Sirovy managed  the sound system while Sidney Roorda and Vincent Bushong operated the spotlights.