Lancer Productions is rolling out the red carpet and invites the North Scott community to “Be Our Guest” for a production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” this weekend and next in the North Scott Fine Arts Auditorium.
“I don’t want to toot our own horn, but it’s really an amazing show,” said Thomas McCarthy, who plays The Beast. “We’ve been working so hard. We have amazing directors, like I’ve said many times. I’m just excited for (the audience) to see all the hard work we’ve put in every single day. We’ve worked so hard, and I think it’s going to show out there on that stage.
“There’s a lot of new faces to Lancer Productions this year, too, so I’m excited for people to see them, if they haven’t seen them act, for the first time. I’m really excited for them.”
“I am so excited for the audience to see it,” added Hannah Noonan (Belle). “Honestly, we have such a great cast, especially with the enchanted objects – Maddux Lamb, Riley McCoy, Amber Bauswell, Ryenne Lacher, Anna Harris. Their characters are amazing. They completely understood what they needed to do. Their character voices are insane. Wait till you hear Maddux’s French accent. It’s crazy. I can’t help it, I just smile.
“And then you have Caleb Strom, who has been doing this all four years,” she continued. “And him as LeFou is the best.”
Many of the actors are excited to show off the group numbers, including “Be Our Guest,” “Human Again,” and the tavern scene in “Gaston,” which prominently features Strom. “My favorite part has been getting to lead a big number,” he said. “I haven’t gotten to do that before. It’s cool to do.”
Amber Bauswell, who plays Mrs. Potts, said her favorite part of the experience has been “making friends, and becoming closer with everyone.”
“Becoming friends with people you didn’t expect to be friends with,” added Anna Harris, who plays the enchanted feather duster, Babette.
“I like how I’ve gotten to connect with Lumiere,” said Riley McCoy (Cogsworth). “We obviously have a bond in the show, almost like a frenemies kind of bond. Getting to work with him – he’s a good friend of mine – and all the time we’ve spent, and getting to work with him to create a really strong character bond has been really fun. And I think it’s going to work out really well for the show, and I’m excited.”
“A lot of the scene work with Cogsworth is really fun,” said Maddux Lamb (Lumiere). “All the castle scenes are just really entertaining, and all the stuff with me making fun of him and making puns and he hates me. I really like that sort of stuff.”
There’s another aspect of the show the actors are also excited about.
“All the costumes,” said Ryenne Lacher, who plays the enchanted wardrobe, Madame. “The vibe. I think the costumes are going to be exciting.”
“The costumes, man. I love dressing up,” said Lamb. “I don’t know what it is about it, but it makes me feel a lot more in character when I’ve got the costumes on. Walking out here the first time we ever ran stuff with costumes, it feels great, it feels a lot better.
“I love the costumes. That’s probably my favorite part of this show.”
And among the costumes Noonan is most excited for the audience to see is Belle’s ballgown.
“We have worked so much on it to make sure it fits and that I can dance in it and everything. It’s … oh my goodness. It’s so gorgeous.”
“Beauty and the Beast” is directed by Ashley Becher, assisted by Maddie Harbour. Musical director is Bobby Becher, and choreography is by Bethany Sanders. Stacie Kintigh is the producer, and marketing is by Emily Hintze.
Technical director is Josh Tipsword, assisted by Justin Walker. Scenic design is by Tipsword and Walker. The stage manager is Madi Brus, assisted by Taylor Crain and Hannah Nelson.
Costume lead is Brooke Rich, and the properties manager is Haidyn Koberg. Hair and makeup lead is Gabby Andersen, and the hair and makeup crew includes Marissa Carlton, Nora Glover, Madilynn Hillman, Anna Hodge, Riley Johnson, Eva Lubben, Charlotte Madden, Keegan Panther and Natalie Sierk.
Lighting designer/operator is Hope Harrison. Assistant lighting designer/video tech is Aiden Kelsey. The spotlight operator is Kyle Kundel. Student house manager/video tech is Ryan Stickler. Sound designer/operator is Kaitlyn Knepper. Sound board operator/designer is Abby Harrison. The set crew includes Aidan Chizek, Taylor Crain, Carter Dorr, Nate Kramer, Hannah Nelson, and Cole Wessel.
The pit orchestra is directed by Carl Collins. Musicians include: Kallie Scheckel (Reed 1, piccolo, flute); Zoe Wilson (Reed 1, flute); Mady Doucette (Reed 2, oboe, English horn); Brady Herington (Reed 3, clarinet, bass clarinet); Blake Migiel (Trumpet 1, piccolo trumpet); Gustavo Perez-Espina (Trumpet 2, piccolo trumpet); Al Guss (Horn 1); Jennie McKenna (Horn 1 – April 28); Robert Palmer (Horn 2); Scott Benhart (Horn 3); Zach McMann (trombone, bass trombone, tuba); Deb Swift (Keyboard 1); Marcia Renaud (Keyboard 2); Randin Letendre (Keyboard 2 – April 21); Audra Bailey (Keyboard 3); Monike Hill (drums); Kraig Leahy (percussion); Ava Duncan (Violin 1); Molly Hill (Violin 2); Alex Wohlers (cello); Peyton Pike (acoustic bass).
Soda Pop’ers, who will perform and assist with Dinner Theatre, include: Charli Conner, Madilynn Hillmann, Madelynn LaPlante, Abigail LaPlante, Charlotte Madden, Sophia Nelson, Katelyn Peck, Callie Poinsett, Brayden Serrano, Natalie Sierk, Allana Sosnowski, Taylar Vondal, and Addyson Yanke. Servers include: Hayley Burkle, Aurora Dolan, Arabella Miller, Taylor Murphy, and Bella Riley.
Performances are Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20, at 7 p.m., Sunday, April 21 at 2 p.m., Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 28, at 2 p.m. in the North Scott Fine Arts Auditorium.
Dinner theatre performances will be April 26 and April 27, and reservations must be made in advance by purchasing tickets at tix.nshslp.com. Doors for dinner open at 5:15 p.m., with seating at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens, and are available at the door or at tix.nshslp.com.