Addison Trail to present its winter musical, ‘Beauty and the Beast’
The magic of Disney will fill the stage at Addison Trail when the school presents its winter musical, “Beauty and the Beast,” on Feb. 5, 6 and 7.
The classic tale tells the story of Belle, a young woman who seeks adventure, and her encounter with Beast, a prince transformed into a beast by an enchantress as punishment for his arrogance. The two start out full of resentment and anger toward each other, but they slowly begin to see the other’s true beauty.
Director Anna Jakubka said she’s excited to present a Disney show at Addison Trail.
“One of the many reasons I wanted to do ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is I actually worked on this show 10 years ago – it was my first high school production,” she said. “It’s a magical story about someone who doesn’t fit in finding love, and who doesn’t want that reassurance?”
Jakubka added the performers know there’s a lot of work involved to get ready for the musical.
“This is a massive show,” she said. “The costumes are unique, the set is large and the characters are known by everyone, so we have expectations to live up to!”
But junior Cab Callaway, who plays Gaston (a vain hunter who vies for Belle’s hand in marriage), said the actors are putting in the effort to ensure it will be a great show.
“The most rewarding aspect is seeing all that hard work pay off and watching the rehearsals go from the very beginning to the finished product,” Callaway said.
Callaway is a newcomer to the stage at Addison Trail, and he was thrilled to get a lead role in the winter musical. This also will be the first Addison Trail Theatre performance for senior Julia Dziabis, who plays Belle.
“I’ve learned so much from joining theatre,” Dziabis said. “It has been a great experience.”
She added she hopes the audience enjoys the show and takes away the lesson of the musical.
“From Belle’s perspective, she learns that if you view the world with an open mind, you can see the beauty in any situation,” she said.
Portraying the character of Beast is senior Jerold Macaya, who said he loves the challenge of playing a “flawed” character who learns a valuable lesson through life experiences.
“I love the journey that goes along with the process of putting a show together,” Macaya said of why he participates in theatre. “This musical is a Disney show, so I hope the audience members have a good time and leave with the main theme of the story – that love comes from the inside.”
“Beauty and the Beast”
When: 7 p.m. Feb. 5, 6 and 7 (also a 2 p.m. performance on Feb. 7)
Where: Addison Trail, 213 N. Lombard Road in Addison
Tickets: Tickets cost $7 for adults, $5 for students and children ages 3 to 12, $3 with an Activity Pass and are free with a District 88 Senior Gold Card. To buy tickets, call 630-628-3365, or e-mail at.theatre88@gmail.com.
Special events: The characters of “Beauty and Beast” invite you to be their guest from 9 to 11 a.m. on Jan. 31. Tickets cost $5 (children 2 years old and younger are free) and can be bought at http://tinyurl.com/kr75fxs. Tickets cost $7 at the door.
You also are invited to attend the Teacher-Parent Organization (TPO) Spaghetti Dinner from 4 to 6:15 p.m. on Feb. 7. Tickets cost $6 for adults and students, $3 for senior citizens and children ages 3 to 10, and children younger than 3 years old are free. Raffle tickets also will be sold to win prizes. Proceeds will benefit Addison Trail students.