Love blossoms for AOP’s Beast and Belle – The Free Weekly

BECCA MARTIN BROWN

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In Disney’s fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast,” all of the characters’ hopes and dreams are magically embodied by a rose trapped in a glass jar.

In the Arts One Presents production, which premieres on July 18, the magic of the 49 actors is not so easy to contain.

“Iconic characters bring with them iconic audience expectations,” says Kris Isham, who plays the Beast. “I hope the audience recognizes the essence of the character they already know, and maybe also sees a part of themselves in the dual, contradictory nature of the Beast.”

“I wish I could capture the moment when Belle is tending to the Beast’s wounds after the confrontation with the wolves,” says Kenzie Booker of Siloam Springs, who plays the “brave and amazing woman” Belle. “I think that’s really the turning point in their relationship, and from that point on you can see their love blossom like a rose.”

“Working with this cast to make sure every scene felt real and authentic has brought us all so close together, and every time we shoot the scenes together it’s so special,” says Ty Volz, who plays Gaston. “I just feel like all the hard work and dedication that both the cast and crew members put into this is going to pay off.”

“I’m so excited to be playing Mrs Potts. She’s a great character and so much fun to portray,” adds Lynn Manning. “The biggest challenge for me will undoubtedly be figuring out how to move on stage while dressed as a life-sized teapot!”

“Beauty and the Beast is such a beautiful story,” echoes director Na’Tosha De’Von, a University of Arkansas Master of Fine Arts graduate. “When I was asked to direct this production, I was overjoyed to dive into the classic that has such a timeless love theme. Before working on the show, I never paid attention to how much each song relates to the human experience and the need to belong. This music really captured my heart.”

Since De’Von is first and foremost an actress herself, she wanted to cast all the actors who genuinely wanted to be a part of the production.

“We have a cast of 49 people who are all so immersed in the world of the show,” she marvels. “As a director, working with such a large number has been both challenging and rewarding, but I wouldn’t change a thing. … I knew from the beginning that it would be a huge challenge to make each character stand out. However, this has made me use my skills in choreography, which I haven’t been able to explore for a very long time.

“Our rehearsals were a wonderful experience of collaboration and trying new things,” she adds. “I think each artist comes away with new skills that they may not have touched before. The room was filled with laughter and caring.”

According to music director Cheri Headrick, while having “actors ranging in age from 10 to over 60” is a challenge, it is also “a sign of a thriving and successful community theater program. This show has something for everyone and it’s wonderful to see everyone come together with the common goal of creating art on stage.”

Isham, who understudyed the role of Sweeney Todd for AOP last summer, says, “The hardest part for me was finding a way to portray the beast in a way that was unique but also familiar.”

“There are a handful of small decisions and elements that I think set this production apart from all other productions, and I would proudly display each and every one of them permanently in a glass dome,” he says.

Belle is Booker’s first role where she has to both sing and speak, and “I have to do so much more than just express emotion through singing,” she says. “It was hard, but it was worth it!”

Booker says she’s battling her lingering stage fright, while Volz is in the gym challenging himself to play Gaston, the last of his three dream roles – along with Donkey in “Shrek” and Pharaoh in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

“I think audiences continue to appreciate stories like Beauty and the Beast because they give us hope,” says De’Von. “That you have the ability to grow and improve is such a universal message.”

“The cast has put so much love and effort into this production and I hope every single audience member can feel that,” adds Booker.

“This cast is incredibly talented and every rehearsal brings us closer to perfecting a great show,” says Manning.

“In the final weeks before the show, when the costumes are finished and the lights start to come on on stage, we all realize what we have created,” says Headrick. “Then when the singers perform with the orchestra, everything becomes magical. Then we have our show.”

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FAQ

“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast”

WHEN — 7pm July 18-20; 3pm July 21; 7pm July 25-27; 3pm July 28

WHERE — Don Tyson School of Innovation, 2667 Hylton Road in Springdale

COST — $10–45

INFO — artsonepresents.org