April 1st, 2nd, and 3rd were the official performance dates this year for the Chestermere High School’s annual musical. Hard work has been poured into this program since it began back in September, and with large audience support, it seems that it has all paid off.
Directed by Chestermere High School teacher Courtney Dawes, the play followed the story of Beauty and The Beast, played by senior students Caitlyn Isley and Jaydon Kutryk respectively.
Cast members displayed a high level of enthusiasm and love for their individual roles, and the tech members could be seen hard at work to make set changes quick and seamless. The pit band played the musical numbers over the course of the play, including well-known tunes such as, ‘Belle’, ‘Gaston’, and ‘Be Our Guest’. Members even performed what they called the, ‘Cup Song’, in which they used the clanging of metal cups to create a song.
The authenticity of the play was enhanced through the use of props and costumes. Belle’s dress, Cogsworth, Lumiere, Mrs. Potts, Chip, Babette, and the Wardrobe were all compliments of a Beauty and The Beast play that occurred in Calgary a while ago.
The crowd roared with laughter at many parts in the play and was overall very intrigued and interactive. By the first intermission, buzzing erupted from the crowd with how amazing they thought the show was. With the conclusion of the play, every member involved received a standing ovation. The senior students presented the directors, Courtney Dawes, Lael Johnston, Paul Beseau, Kristina Wasyleczko, Byron Sieben, and Sara Douglas with their own personal metal cup so that they, “Won’t forget about us,” joked McKenna Prather, who played Cogsworth. The magic that hung in the air that night wasn’t the only thing that people found amazing. It was suspected that the Musical Theatre program sold 50 more seats than their last big audience turn out, making the sold out show a night to remember. Caitlyn Isley was speechless after the show, “I’m going to cry,” Isley half-jokes at the thought of this being her final year, “that was so amazing.”
The Musical Theatre program director Courtney Dawes had nothing but good things to say about the group, “It was a pleasure as always to work alongside these kids,” she says, “I think it was the best show that all of them have put on all year.” A spectator of the show, Madyson Schmidt, was ecstatic after the performance. “All of my best friends are in this play,” she laughs, “I’m so proud of all of the hard work they have put in to it, and judging by the response and turnout they had tonight, I’m guessing everyone else thinks so too!”
