“Gaston” dips a disapproving “Belle” in his arms

Olympia High School will present the musical  Disney’s Beauty and the Beast on Friday, May 10, at 7:00 PM, Saturday, May 11, at 7:00 PM, and Sunday, May 12, at 2:00 PM., in the Esquivel Theatre at the high school.   Tickets can be reserved by calling Wendy Wade at the middle school at (309) 379-5941, ext. 8301.  


The Olympia production is directed by Wendy Wade, with costuming by Heather Schwarting.  Tech is handled by Megan Whitecotton, while Leah Megli and Jimmy Spencer direct the vocal and instrumental music, respectively. The show is being presented through an arrangement with Music Theatre International.


Based on the classic 1991 animated film in which a spoiled young prince (Tristen Rotholtz) rashly turns away an old beggar woman (Savannah Hoeft), disdaining her ugliness. Once she reveals herself to be a beautiful enchantress, she curses the prince to remain a beast (Nolen Yeary)  until he can learn to love another and earn her love in return.  With Julia Collins as Belle, Grayson Rummel as Gaston,  and the enchanted castle inhabited by classic characters Lumiere (Michael Bagby), Cogsworth (Leo Durheim), and Mrs. Potts (Isabelle Stivers), the journey to rescue her father (Noah Wheeler) leads the young heroine on an unexpected adventure to discover that true beauty is found within.