Students from IHA, St. Joseph Regional High School, Bergen Catholic High School, Bergen County Academies, Don Bosco Prep High School, and Pascack Valley High School made up the talented cast and skillful crew of this year’s memorable production. Student-actors brilliantly told the classic love story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a prince trapped under an enchantress’ spell.
Beauty and the Beast was produced by Ms. Maureen McNulty, English teacher and coordinator of the performing arts; directed by Jodi Capeless P’22; musically directed by Ed Ginter; and choreographed by Kimberly Galberaith P’22. Thank you to our talented set designer, Patt Tanner; lighting designer, TJ Essig and Polaris Lighting; sound designer, Matt Morgan and Concert Audio; costume designer, Nancy Reynolds P’09; props designer, Frank Riccobono; and makeup designer, Dee Spencer Bush. Special thanks to Miss Kerry Carroll’04, social studies teacher, for being this year’s dedicated faculty musical liaison.
This year’s musical featured a large cast of principal characters and supporting cast members, all of whom impressed audiences with their outstanding performances. Jenna Clover’20 shined as Belle and Zach Mackiewicz (SJR’20) played a captivating Beast. Nora-Lisa Hamre’21 played a wonderful Narrator and Bookseller, Azriela Quiles’22 was a mesmerizing Enchantress, and Ralph Ignacio (SJR’20) played a loveable Maurice. Sean Moran (SJR’19) was outstanding as cocky Gaston, and Alex Costabile (BC’21) was a hysterical Lefou. Matthew Ranagan (SJR’19) was the Baker, Mia Grossman’21 was the Aristocratic Lady, Kyle Towey (PV’21) played the Fish Man and the wonderfully creepy Monsieur D’Arque, and Aimee Mockler’20 was the Sausage Curl Girl. Congratulations to Owen Mitsinikos (SJR’19) for acting as a great Hat Seller; Samantha Gonnello’19 for playing the Milkmaid wonderfully; and Caroline Dyson’21, Isabella Haines’19, and Olivia DeMartini’21 for being the funniest Silly Girls. Quinn Burns (SJR’21) was fabulous as Cogsworth, Colton Maurer (BCA’21) shined as Lumière, Grace Capeless’22 played a brilliant Babette, Emily Ash’19 was the perfect Mrs. Potts, Amanda Potenza’21 played an adorable Chip, and Allison Sandt’20 dazzled as the wardrobe, Madame De La Grande Bouche.
This year’s show would not have been possible without the steadfast crew and production team including Myra Chaudhry’19, stage manager, and Mary Farlese’20 and Amanda Molloy’20, assistant stage managers. Thank you to our props mistress, Kerri Woolley’20; sound director, Regina Garvey’19; and lighting director, Lauren Plastina’22. Thank you to the many committed students who made up our backstage, props, and wardrobe crews, in addition to everyone who helped with lobby design and set painting and construction. We’d like to give a special shout out to Sydney Taylor’19 for designing this year’s beautiful Playbill cover! And we are especially grateful to the many parent, faculty, staff, and student volunteers who dedicated their time and services to make Beauty and the Beast yet another spectacular musical production. You brilliantly told this “Tale as Old as Time,” and it will be remembered for years to come.
Click here to view the full Beauty and the Beast photo album, courtesy of Mike Hamlett Photography.
Click here to view the 2008 Beauty and the Beast Alumni Reunion photo album.