Be our guest, be our guest.
Neumann University Players invite you to be their guests for the production of Beauty and the Beast, March 16th. -19th in the Meagher Theatre.
The environment during the rehearsal was laid back and lighthearted. When not on stage, everyone was with their friends joking around, and even when on stage in between scenes there was still banter between the cast, talking about their part in the scene.
From the rehearsal it is clear that not only is the cast fired up for this musical, but they are also playing a big part in how it is being performed.
When it comes to reading lines, there are no changes to the script. However, especially when it comes to the dances and the nonverbal communication of the characters, the acting is completely created by the students. They add subtle actions to their performances to add to their characters’ personalities and make them feel more real.
While rehearsing the scene before the well-known mob song, freshman Catie Sands who is playing Lefou, got the opportunity to test her improv skills as she got to add her own minor detail to Lefou’s character.
When Gaston is describing the Beast, Lafou and the townspeople get scared of his description, so Sands made the decision to jump in the arms of a fellow cast member to show her character's fear. While a very minor action, it adds to the comedic aspect of her character and ultimately gives him a little more personality instead of just being Gaston’s crony.
For one cast member, junior Matthew Glass who is playing the Beast, this show has had a big impact on him before it was even thought of being performed at Neumann.
“The first real musical that I saw that made me want to do theatre was Beauty and the Beast. So, I saw the Beast at my sister’s high school, years and years ago. Immediately I was like I want to do that someday, and this is a role I’ve always wanted to do,” Glass said.
Right away Glass felt a connection with the Beast, “I feel like the Beast is rather introverted and I’m also introverted. But he opens up when the right people come around, and I feel like I open up when I’m around the right people,” he said.
He continues talking about his passion for his role when he comments about how much he loves the Beast. “[I love] Everything so much, in particular though, the song he sings is the biggest similarity. It’s such a powerful song, it’s called ‘If I Can’t Love Her’. I feel so powerful when I sing it, it’s a really sad song. But when I rehearse it, I feel so wow and I feel like I really embody the character.”
Senior, Hayden Brown is another cast member who is really fit for his character, Gaston. They both have loud personalities and a lot of confidence. However, while all of Gaston’s actions throughout the play are purely egotistical, Brown is far from it.
After performing in about eleven shows at Neumann, Beauty and the Beast is Brown’s last musical hurrah before graduating.
When asked what he is going to miss most about performing at Neumann, Brown said, “the people, this is like a second family to me. I have always enjoyed performing here and I’ve always enjoyed making the friends that I have. And I know these people are people I can rely on even after I graduate.” He added, “Just like every family we all get on each other’s nerves, but in the end we’re a tight-knit group and that’s what I’m going to miss the most.”
Illustrating his point that Neumann actors enjoy their theatrical experience is the fact that alumni continue to participate. Ashley Diamond is a 2021 Neumann University graduate who came back specifically to choreograph the upcoming play.
Regarding what made her want to come back and choreograph for the show Diamond said, “I have been choreographing the shows for [Neumann] Players for the past three years, and it was a no brainer for me to come back. I love theatre here; I minored in theatre, and I hope to keep coming back.”
To see this incredible cast perform a tale as old as time, get down to the Meagher Theatre for the play. General admission is $10, seniors and students are $5, and on opening night students can go in for free with their Neumann ID.
Marcella Maughan
