Be our guest at Houlton High School’s annual play

By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    Each year during the third week of November, students at SAD 29 make the stage come to life with their annual musical production. This year will be no different, as they present “Beauty and the Beast.”
    The play has four performances over three days, Friday night at 7 p.m., along with a Saturday afternoon matinee at 2 p.m. and evening performance at 7 p.m., finishing on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m.
    Before the Saturday matinee, children in grade 3 or younger, with adult supervision, can participate in “Belle’s Tea Party,” starting at 1 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.
Houlton Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
TEA FOR THREE? — Sophie Lorom enjoys her imaginary tea party with Dakota Jenkins, who will portray Belle, and Elyjah Crockett, who plays Gaston, in this weekend’s Houlton High School play “Beauty and the Beast.” A new swing to the play is children who purchase a ticket for the 2 p.m. matinee show on Saturday will be able to participate in “Belle’s Tea Party” from 1 to 1:40 p.m.
    “I thought it would be terrific to give the kids in the community who are coming to the matinee show, which we have tailored the performance to small children, an extra experience beyond sitting in the seat and just witnessing the performance,” said Jason Anderson, Houlton High School choral director.
    The 40 minute activity will feature a costume parade, tea party and crafts.
    “We have a canvas painted of a castle and the main characters will be in costume and ready to go so any child who wants to have a photograph with a favorite cast member to take home can have it,” Anderson added. “We will have the photographs ready either at the end of the show or at intermission for pick up.”
    Also during the children’s activity, gift baskets with the Beauty and the Beast-themed items will be given away.
    “Every child who comes to the activity prior to the show will be entered into the raffles,” Anderson explained. “We will have some kids walking away with some really terrific items.”
    “Beauty and the Beast” stage version contains at least seven songs not included in the movie.
    “Some of the scenes are set differently,” said Anderson. “ As I did last year with “Grease,” I wanted to present a show slightly different than what the audience is used to because it gives them a new perspective.”
    What Anderson and company hope to project is a chance for more individuals on stage to develop a depth of a character so the audience can really engage, he added.
    The “Beauty and the Beast” cast is made up largely of freshmen, with few upperclassmen than usual.
    “They are predominantly on the young side,” explained Anderson. “But, the cast has been incredibly motivated. They have been incredibly professional, hardworking, showing up early and leaving late. They are going to make this a really fantastic experience.”
    Along the way, as the audience gets captivated, Anderson noted that Becky Day and her whole team of makeup, hair and costume designers will reveal “incredible” imagery.
    “It’s a family-friendly show,” said Anderson. “It’s going to be magical. We have moveable set pieces as we are trying to make it as enchanted as possible.”
    Tickets are for reserved seating — cost $8 for adults and $5 for students/children and senior citizens — and may be purchased by calling Houlton High School at 532-6551.