ItB次元官网网址檚 a tale as old as time.
Well not quite, but very few people arenB次元官网网址檛 at least somewhat familiar with Beauty and the Beast and with it being the 25th anniversary of the Disney classic, itB次元官网网址檚 a tale thatB次元官网网址檚 being featured on a number of screens and stages across the region.
But according to director Jaymes D. Goodman, there arenB次元官网网址檛 any shows in town quite like the one Four Seasons Musical Theatre is about to premiere.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very costume heavy B次元官网网址� weB次元官网网址檙e doing a bit more steam punk,B次元官网网址� Goodman said in the midst of a busy rehearsal. B次元官网网址淓very single solitary costume had to be created from scratch.B次元官网网址�
But itB次元官网网址檚 not just the costumes that set this rendition apart. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e done a few things with the characters,B次元官网网址� Goodman noted, referencing Belle as an example. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e made her a little bit stronger, sheB次元官网网址檚 not the typical Disney princess B次元官网网址� She doesnB次元官网网址檛 like being called B次元官网网址榦ddB次元官网网址� and donB次元官网网址檛 mess with her,B次元官网网址� he warned.
With the vision starting to form in his mind back in the fall, the groupB次元官网网址檚 spring performance was pushed back from the typical early May show dates to allow the sets and costumes to really come alive.
The Beast, played by Dwayne Gordon, said B次元官网网址渋tB次元官网网址檚 a process, thereB次元官网网址檚 prosthetics B次元官网网址� (and) itB次元官网网址檚 a lot of hair B次元官网网址� The trick with the Beast is making him look large and intimidating and still be able to move.B次元官网网址�
But itB次元官网网址檚 allowed him to really focus on his movements as an actor, since his face will be covered for the beginning of the production and his facial range will be limited later on.
B次元官网网址淭he thing with the Beast is the physicality of it,B次元官网网址� Gordon explained, and using that to portray emotion.
Goodman added, B次元官网网址渢hese are big costumes B次元官网网址� they take a large portion of the stage.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 an adaptation that requires a lot from the entire crew and cast.
B次元官网网址淭he process has been long B次元官网网址� But it doesnB次元官网网址檛 feel that way,B次元官网网址� Gordon said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great cast, great crew.B次元官网网址�
That process is also reflected in an extended run. B次元官网网址淲hen you ask people to put this amount of time and effort into a show I donB次元官网网址檛 feel itB次元官网网址檚 fair to say youB次元官网网址檙e only doing four performances,B次元官网网址� Goodman explained.
That commitment has spread and a number of cast and crew members also have their children involved in the show.
While the original script technically only calls for one child actor, Goodman has created space for a childrenB次元官网网址檚 choir and more involvement from the groupB次元官网网址檚 younger members.
Gordon noted their youngest member is six and the range is well past the 50-year mark. B次元官网网址淚t truly is a family company,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 no other group in Victoria that really does that.B次元官网网址�
Well at least not for all of their shows Goodman noted.
The role of Belle is played by one of those younger members but at 18 Charmaine Koenig can hold her own on set when sheB次元官网网址檚 belting out her lines.
B次元官网网址淕oing into it I was really nervous, IB次元官网网址檝e never done a performance with Four Seasons,B次元官网网址� she said.
But B次元官网网址渢hroughout the months IB次元官网网址檝e created some great friendships and everyone is super supportive.B次元官网网址�
Her dad is even part of the band. B次元官网网址淭his is the first show weB次元官网网址檝e been in together,B次元官网网址� she added.
And theyB次元官网网址檝e spent plenty of time together lately as producer Samantha Eustace noted, the cast has put in more than 1,800 hours.
Goodman noted theyB次元官网网址檙e putting in 10 hours of rehearsal every week in View Royal and that doesnB次元官网网址檛 include the practice cast members do on their own time.
All of that hard work will pay off on stage. The first week of performances will be at the in Sidney with shows on June 15 to 17 at 7 p.m. as well as at 2 p.m. on June 17 and 18.
During the second week, performances will take place at The Ridge Theatre at Claremont secondary at 7 p.m. on June 22 to 24 with 2 p.m. shows on June 24 and 25. Tickets for those performances are available at or .
