‘Beauty & the Beast’ challenges students

CINDY WOOD/independent feature writer

Happily ever after? It’s the stuff fairy tales are made of, and cast and crewmembers of Van Wert High School’s upcoming production of Beauty and the Beast are preparing to play out that fairy tale cliché.

Backstage at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center, table saws and hammers could be heard as production staff finishes up last-minute adjustments on elaborate set designs. Elsewhere, cast members are trying on costumes and readying props prepared by a number of volunteers who are assisting in bringing the musical to the NPAC stage.

For Danielle Slagle and Daniel Bashore, the performance is bittersweet as both seniors are capping off long-running high-school drama careers.

“I’m sad of course, because I’ve been doing drama since the eighth-grade,” Slagle said. “But this is such a great show and we hope everyone comes out to support us because we’ve worked very hard.”

Slagle has taken on many different roles during high school, but when the opportunity to play “Belle” presented itself, she didn’t hesitate in trying out for the lead role. “I can’t tell you how many times my mom and I have watched this show,” she said. “We would just play it over and over. If I ever had a dream role, this would be it.”

Slagle’s theatrical career will not end with this performance, as she will be attending college in Dayton to major in theatre education. “I just love it,” she said, adding that her drama experience at Van Wert High School will serve her well in college.

Taking on the role of the Beast will be Daniel Bashore, another VWHS drama veteran who has also been performing since the eighth grade. Bashore is well known on the stage for not only his acting ability, but his vocal talents as well. “I’ve been singing since I can remember,” he said. “I think I’ve been singing with my dad since I was 3 years old; it’s just something I enjoy doing.”

Bashore added that this particular production is more technically elaborate than many of the shows he’s performed in. “There is just so much going on, tech-wise,” Bashore said. “I think technically, this is probably the most difficult production I’ve been a part of.”

Director Michelle Stoller is looking forward to bringing the show to life, and said the technical aspects of the show have given drama students a chance to learn new back-stage skills. Lighting transformations, sound effects and elaborate costumes will all go into giving audience members a show they will remember.

The NPAC stage provides the perfect backdrop for the production and Bashore said he feels fortunate to have had the opportunities he’s been awarded while at VWHS. “There are a lot of colleges that don’t have facilities as nice as we do,” he said. “So we’ve all been very fortunate to have had the opportunities we have had here. And this is such a great story, and I hope everyone who comes out will enjoy all the hard work the cast and crew has put into this production.”

The story of Beauty and the Beast begins when an old beggar woman offers a young prince a rose. The prince refuses the rose and the beggar, who is actually an enchantress, casts a spell on the prince and transforms him into a hideous beast. The enchantress tells the beast he must find true love before all the petals on the rose have fallen off, or he will remain a beast forever.

Fast forward years later, and the audience is introduced to Belle, a beautiful young woman who captures the attention of her entire village. A local hunter named Gaston pursues her, but through a series of ironic events, she finds herself involved in a fast friendship with the Beast. “I don’t want to give anything away, but there’s definitely an awesome climax in the play,” Slagle said.

Cast members and crew gave young fans a preview of what’s to come at a character tea held over the weekend. Youngsters were given the opportunity to dance with cast members, and chat with them about the upcoming play.

Performances will be held Thursday, April 19, through Saturday, April 21, beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale at the box office and cost $8 for adults, $6 for students and $4 for children ages 5 and under. Tickets are also available at the door.