River Dell Drama Club is proud to present its Fall 2024 production of Beauty and the Beast, which will take place on November 22,23, and 24. Every year, the River Dell Drama Club presents two productions, one in the fall and one in the spring. Previous shows, such as the spring 2024 Mean Girls, was a huge hit throughout the River Dell Community.
Mr. Wilson, the head of the Drama Club, had picked Beauty and the Beast due to the national tour the musical is taking in the spring, and the musical rights will not be available once the tour commences, leading to Mr. Wilson taking full advantage of the opportunity.
The 2024 Beauty and the Beast leads are Gianna Pantano as Belle and Robert (Bobby) Cook as the Beast. Other cast members include Tim Hwang as Gatson, Jerin Yoo as Mrs. Potts, Ben Weinberg as Lumiere, Christian Yarar as Cogsworth, Caroline Koenig as Babette, and several other cast members involved in the musical.
Drama Club president, Jerin Yoo, expressed how grateful and honored she feels to have the opportunity to oversee such a hardworking club, “It’s really rewarding,” said Yoo. “Sometimes it can kind of get overwhelming since I have to keep track of a lot of stuff and plan everything. Wilson is kind of turning me into an assistant director which is fun. I enjoy it and I’m grateful for the position, and I love the club.”
Gianna Pantano, who will be playing Belle later this fall, is very excited to be involved in this year’s musical. The musical this year has not been divided into two casts, like it used to previously. “Rehearsals have been great! It’s our first single cast show we’ve done in three years. I’m the only Belle so I have to be at almost every rehearsal, but it has been really fun!”
Christian Yarar who is playing Cogsworth explained that, “Rehearsals have been going good. With a little bit of time and work, I promise you we are going to put on an amazing show.”
Zoe Ortiz, a cast member, seconded how positive the rehearsals have been. “So far everything has been good. We’ve just been going over music, choreography, and blocking.” Zoe spoke about how hardworking the cast has been, and how it can be a little stressful for cast members to juggle everything at once. “Sometimes we can be a little stressed out because we have a lot to do, so it’s just a lot on our minds.”
Siyona Rejin, a senior crew member, defined what being a part of construction is like during the times of a musical. Along with the other crew members Siyona helps build the sets and put those crucial elements together. “It goes by pretty fast actually, it’s just the painting that adds on a lot. It takes about two sessions to get a good build going on.”
Rejin explained that the most stressful part of the actual production for a crew member is the changing of the sets, “We typically only have around 30 seconds to change between sets, which is why tech week can be stressful.”
Elliana Topchishvili and William Santiago, seniors at River Dell High School, shared their excitement for the upcoming musical.
Elliana expressed her excitement to go and see the show, “I am actually really excited. Beauty and the Beast is an iconic story and doing that as the winter play, that’s a big step up. I’m going to see Zoe Ortiz for sure, and more of my other friends.”
William Santiago is extremely excited for the fall production, “I can wear out my fancy clothes to the musical and see my friends. I’m expecting a lot from the drama club!”
The River Dell community is expected to be in attendance on November 22, 23, and 24. The drama club will continue to work hard to deliver a great performance each night. There is excitement, high hopes, and eagerness among River Dell students for the upcoming musical, Beauty and the Beast.
