LHS players take on a contemporary classic
Mar. 19—Lockport High School's rendition of "Beauty and the Beast," the heartwarming tale that many parents may remember seeing on the big screen when they were children, is being performed Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
From the pit musicians, to the set makers, to the actors and actresses, singers and dancers, this one is much anticipated by veterans of the LHS theater program.
Brian Wilson, school counselor, co-producer and none too shabby on the horn, gives accolades to both leads, Janiah Bennefield and Chase Diviak, as well as the rest of the cast.
"We really felt strongly that we had the cast this year," he said. "The kids really put forth their best effort and the job of casting this year was super difficult because they're all so talented."
Wilson said the students have been put in front of conductors three nights a week since January and they are "knocking it out of the park."
Set designers put in a lot of time, too. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday since January, they have been working on the sets.
The choreographer is Madison Long, a special education teacher at Aaron Mossell Junior High.
"She's actually doing four musical shows this season, so she's pretty ready for a break," Wilson said.
Belle is portrayed by Bennefield, who has been cast in a musical every year of her high school career. Belle is her first full lead role.
"She has to be not only phenomenal acting and singing, but she has to be a leader for the cast, too, and she's really stepped into that role," Wilson said.
During a recent dress rehearsal, the Beast, Diviak, could be seen wandering the hallways testing his vocals. The band student and football player has had roles in three LHS musicals.
Diviak "has to practice a lot to get that beast voice and character voice down," Wilson said. "One of the songs he sings is a love song and he's really done a fantastic job practicing how to be a beast and also be tender."
Other characters in costume earlier this week were Alex West, playing LaFou, Gaston's sidekick, and Olivia O'Sheehan, who plays one of the "silly girls" who fawns over Gaston.
"I had a really nice music teacher in fifth grade who said, 'we need more boys in the theater program!' so I joined," West said. "My first show was James and the Giant Peach Jr. as a secret agent or something. It meant a lot to me and I've been doing it ever since."
O'Sheehan has been participating in school theater since her third-grade debut in Seussical the Musical.
"I was a talk show host and had one little line. I performed the heck out of it! I got really into it," she said.
Show times for Beauty and the Beast are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at https://www.lockportschools.org/VPA or by calling 716-478-4600.
