Fourth, fifth graders to stage “Beauty and the Beast”

     It’s a tale as old as time, and this spring an all student cast will tell the story of a beauty and a beast.
    The story, based on Disney’s Academy Award winning animated feature, will play out on the Coal City Performing Arts Center stage as fourth and fifth graders from Coal City Intermediate School present “Beauty and the Beast, Jr.”
    Zachary Terry has been cast as the prince who is turned into a beast under a spell cast by an enchantress to be played by Bridgette Feeney.
    The beauty in this story is an independent girl named Belle, a role that will be played by Mae Connor.
    Belle encounters the Beast at his castle when she goes out in search of her missing father, an inventor named Maurice to be played by Dylan Young.
    As a result of the spell the enchantress has cast over the castle, the staff has been transformed into objects including a candelabra, tea pot, duster, dresser and clock.
    The cast of enchanted objects include Logan Hausman as Lumiere, the castle valet turned candelabra; Kylie Kennell in the role of Cogsworth, a butler who is now a mantel clock; Bella Byers as Mrs. Pots, a cook transformed into a tea pot; Madison Wilson as Babette, the chamber maid turned duster, and D’Arcy Ness as Madame de la Grande Bouche, an opera singer turned wardrobe.  Mason Natyshok will appear as Chip, the son of Mrs. Potts, who is now a tea cup.  
    Back in the village the town brute, Gaston, played by Julian Micetich, proposes to Belle. And, despite her disinterest he continues to pursue her with assistance from his friend, Lefou, a role that will be played by Vince Mugnolo.
    Belle, having located her father, returns him to the village where Gaston has arranged for Maurice to be taken to the asylum run by Monsieur D’Arque, a role to be played by Korbyn Crist.
    Helping to tell the story are narrators Kenzie Greenan, Corinna Barkley and Dane Noffsinger.
    The intermediate school cast also includes six silly girls played by Calleigh Vandewerken, Keirsten Ragland, Eliana Chernesky, Lexi Ragland, Addy Ely and Sydney Larson.
    Appearing as castle servants are Laura Christopher, Ava Garrelts, Evelyn Wills, Cambree Davidson, Sydney Hughes, Destiny Medina, Jori Gray and Sierra Anderson.
    Also, Aubrey Grunwald, Naomi Stoudt, Bailee Green, Aylie Castle, Madi Peterson, Chloe Pluger, Calleigh Hamilton and Fianna Gregory.
    Additionally, appearing as villagers are Trace Wilson, Savannah Berrong, Brooke Mueller, Ava Kenney, Mackenzie Lovell, Dakota Clubb, Elliana Allen, Tyson Sample, Aiden Kenney, Mason Hamilton, Mason Garner, Colin Schimandle and Melody Kinder who is a featured vocalist in the show.
    The musical, presented by the intermediate school student council and directed by Jennifer Ness, will take place Thursday, March 22 with shows at 9 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Performances are open to the public and admission is $2 per adult, children see the show for free.
    The Coal City Performing Arts Center is located inside Coal City High School.