Crestline 6th grade performs ‘Beauty and the Beast, Jr.’

Recently more than 120 Crestline Elementary sixth-graders hit the stage to perform Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast, Jr.” musical. They prepared for the production for three months under the direction of music teachers Laura Butler and Janet Nelson. The process was a collaborative effort with music teachers, classroom teachers, parents and students working together to bring the fictional world of Belle to life. 

Students played a variety of roles to make the production a success. In addition to singing, dancing and acting on stage, sixth-graders were in charge of running tech and working backstage during the show. Large group numbers included “Be Our Guest,” complete with dancing plates, napkins and flatware, and “Gaston” with villagers and Silly Girls encouraging Gaston after Belle refused his marriage proposal. Mrs. Potts (Chloe Hontzas and Jane Morgan Sauls) sang the classic song, “Beauty and the Beast,” while the Beast (Will Monroe) danced his way into the heart of Belle (Elise Andrews and Caroline Hellums). Cogsworth (Caroline Bates) and Lumiere (Crawford McDuffie) delighted the audience with humor and dramatic expertise throughout the show.

After seeing the musical with her kindergarten class, Jayne Euwer said her students were spellbound and that “teamwork and focus were evident during the entire performance.” Sixth-grade parent Susan Guilsher noted, “It was so much more than a play. They were taught life lessons as well: to work together and to be supportive, respectful and encouraging to one another.” 

To view performance video clips, visit Crestline’s music web page at the following web address: mtnbrook.k12.al.us/Page/12722. 

Submitted by Trish Hand.