Notre Dame production of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is a winner

For years now, the Notre Dame High School Drama Club has produced some outstanding theater, and this year’s “The Enchantment of Beauty and the Beast,” which will be performed next weekend at the Grand Opera House, is no exception.
The musical tells the story of a mean, self-centered prince who, after denying an old woman shelter in his castle, gets turned into a beast to reflect his personality. Years later, when a widow is chased into the castle by a wolf, Beast, as he is known, allows her to stay overnight.
While there, she is tricked into plucking a forbidden rose to take home to one of her three daughters, Beauty. Her sentence for the misdeed is death, but the widow begs Beast to spare her life and, while doing so, tells him of her three daughters. After seeing them in his magic looking glass, Beast allows the widow to return home one last time to say good-bye, with the promise that she will return to be killed.
When Beauty learns of her mother’s fate, as well as the fact that Beast is interested in her, she insists upon returning to the castle in her mother’s place. Taken with her beauty and goodness, Beast agrees not to kill her, but commands her to remain in the castle for the rest of her life.
Like he did with her mother, though, he allows her to go home to say good-bye. While she is there, her two brothers-in-law go to the castle to steal from Beast, but are sent home defeated and empty-handed. Upset by the incident, Beauty uses Beast’s magic looking glass to check on him, only to find that because he is convinced she will not return, he is dying of heartbreak.
Realizing that she loves Beast, she rushes back to the castle.
Will Beauty make it back in time? Will her love lift the old woman’s curse? One has to see the play to find out.
This show has a strong cast that can be expected to perform well. Not only are the cast members good actors, they are good vocalists as well. It is always amazing to hear the voices of these students, which are so unexpectedly excellent given their youth.
Another neat thing about high school theater is that many of the students return as actors year after year, and theater-goers get to see them mature and build on past skills. In this case, we get to see a number of strong return players, including Abram and Grant Broussard and Sidney Gilder.
Abram Broussard does a great job in his role as the prince, the first character the audience meets. He is quite convincing in his insolence and is a wonderful crooner.
Broussard does double duty, playing the part of the wolf, which he also does quite handily.
Perhaps the most outstanding actor is Grant Broussard as Beast. His on-stage presence is commanding, and his bearing is perfect for the role. His roaring and outbursts of temper are so convincing that even the audience can be taken off guard.
Occasionally even a lead actor will fall flat, but Elizabeth Kibodeaux, who plays Beauty, lives up to her Beast and demonstrates her goodness and virtue without being nauseatingly sweet, a definite danger.
Abigail Kilgore, who also appears in Acadia Players’ productions from time to time, is an impressive old widow. Particularly notable is that she winds up on the floor an awful lot, and how she does this without flinching or breaking something is a good question.
Last, but not least, Sidney Gilder should be recognized for her portrayal of Beauty’s sister Marguerite. Like Kilgore, Gilder is also active in the Acadia Players and was even good enough to make the cut for last year’s Bayou Broadway production of “Into the Woods.” Although hers is a “just” a supporting role, her talent shines through.
This is a well-done, family-friendly play that everyone can enjoy. Those looking for good entertainment or to support the arts in Crowley should definitely plan to attend.
Other cast members include Cole Zaunbrecher, Bethany Leonards, Corinne Doucet, Skyler Broussard, Chloe Sibley, Alyssa Williams, Samantha Leger, Luke Dupre, Seth Harson, Michaela Jabusch, Jacquelyn Richey, Sarah Sarver, Madeline Fulton, Evan Hebert, Casey Benoit and Brookelynn Herr.
The play is directed, of course, by Notre Dame teacher Steve Fontenot, who promises that the costumes will be impressive. According to Fontenot, they decided to go all out this year, even branching into prosthetics.
Student director for the production is Sabrina Hanks.
Live music for the performances will be provided by the very talented Susan Comeaux.
Stage Managers are Sarah Wright and Madison Gray.
Heading up the various support crews are hair, Amber Devillier; costumes, Caroline Skelton and Morgan Oliver; makeup, Brian Gary and Catherine Castille; prosthetics, Abby Simon; sound, Anna Gossen; and lights, Nicholas Moore.
“The Enchantment of Beauty and the Beast,” which is approximately one hour and 45 minutes long, will be performed at the Grand Opera House, 505 N. Parkerson Ave. in Crowley, at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 11, and Saturday, March 12, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 13.
Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for students, and tickets are available at www.thegrandoperahouse.org.
The musical, written by Vera Morris, with music and lyrics by Bill Francouer, is being produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Services, Inc., Englewood, Colorado.