'A tale as old as time': Saxony to perform 'Beauty and the Beast' next week

It's a tale as old as time, told fresh by Saxony Lutheran High School's theater program beginning next Friday, March 31.

Director Tammy Petzoldt said the cast and crew are deep into rehearsals for "Beauty and the Beast," and everyone is working hard to bring the show about.

"At Saxony, these kids are so multitasking," Petzoldt said. "We have very few, if any, who are only in drama."

She said between different sports and scholar bowl, there are so many practices to work around, cast members have to rehearse in shifts.

"I won't be one of those people who says you have to be here all the time," she said. "We do what we can."

Tabitha Petzoldt, as Belle, rehearses a scene from "Beauty and the Beast" with Adam Lichtenegger, right, as Gaston, and Micah Mirly, as LeFou, on Wednesday at Perry Park Center in Perryville, Missouri.Fred Lynch

The musical's story is familiar to anyone who has seen Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" films.

Belle, a young Frenchwoman who yearns for life outside her simple village, rescues her father from a beast's dungeon by offering herself in his place. The beast, whose entire household including himself is cursed, forms a relationship with Belle with the help of his servants, all of whom are formed into living objects.

Big song and dance numbers, elaborate costumes and a compelling story combine in this production.

In Saxony's production, the Beast is portrayed by senior Corie Williams, and Belle is played by junior Tabitha Petzoldt.

Butler-turned-clock Cogsworth is portrayed by senior Josh Varnon, Mrs. Potts by senior Emily Weber and Belle's father, Maurice, by freshman Sam Varnon.

"We have lots of other characters. It's a big cast," Tammy Petzoldt said.

Sophomore Matthew Babcock, who plays candelabra Lumiere, said he based his French accent on the movie.

"I think that's why people think it's good," he said.

Babcock said his costume is a bit heavy, but he thinks it adds to the experience.

"The hard part is keeping my hands up," he said, demonstrating his "hands," made to look like candles.

Saxony art teacher Christy Moore added color and wax texture to make them more realistic, Babcock said.

Senior Abby Emmons, who plays man-crushing wardrobe Madame de la Grande Bouche, said the role is bigger in the musical than in the films.

"She's an opera diva, more flamboyant," Emmons said, describing her costume as "very Marie Antoinette," with the big hair and dress.

Emmons is also the costume crew's head student, working with a couple of parents and other students to organize and create costumes and costume elements.

"There was some research," she said, and planning including figuring out how to take the characters from people to objects instead of the other way around.

Cogsworth often will wear a tri-corner pirate hat in productions, Emmons said, but the crew decided a butler wasn't likely to wear a pirate hat, so they instead styled his hair to resemble scrollwork on a mantel clock.

Tammy Petzoldt, whose degree is in secondary education with an emphasis in drama, works on a volunteer basis, as do the parents and alumni who come together to make the program work.

"I think you have to love theater or you wouldn't put in the time, and it does take time," she said.

"These kids work really hard," she added.

Show times are 7 p.m. Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1, at the Perry Park Center, 800 City Park Lane in Perryville, Missouri.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for students, and are available for purchase from the Saxony High School office or a cast or crew member. Tammy Petzoldt said some tickets will be available at the door if they don't sell out before the day of the show.

mniederkorn@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address:

2004 Saxony Drive, Jackson, Mo.

800 City Park Lane, Perryville, Mo.