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The halls of Glen Ellyn’s Hadley Junior High School echoed with song this week as students and staff held last-minute rehearsals for their musical performance of “Beauty and the Beast.”
More than 100 Hadley students will participate in the play, based on the Disney movie, that debuts Friday night.
“This would be a perfect play to see because I think this product has turned out so well,” said sixth-grader Maddie Giffin, 12, who is one of two students portraying the role of Belle. “We all worked so hard.”
The musical tells the story of a young prince who is turned into a beast after he dismisses an enchantress disguised as a beggar who offered a rose in exchange for a night’s shelter. To break the spell, he must love and be loved in return before all the rose’s petals have fallen off or he will remain a beast forever. Hope to break the spell is almost lost until a young woman, Belle, offers to take her father’s place as a prisoner at the Beast’s castle.
“I think it’s a fun, family show,” said Lisa Schmela, the show’s director of acting. “The reason why I like this show is because it’s not what’s on the outside but it’s what’s on the inside that counts, and I think that’s a really good message for kids.”
Belle’s selflessness is what distinguishes her from other Disney princesses, said seventh-grader Molly Hernandez, 13, who also plays Belle at some of the performances.
“All the other princesses are greedy at times, but Belle is just really humble,” Molly said.
Maddie agreed Belle is different from other princesses.
“She doesn’t want more riches and fame,” Maddie said. “All she wants is a happy life.”
Hadley sixth-grade teacher Julia Lederhouse said working as assistant director of the play has been the highlight of her first year of teaching at the school. She said it was a pleasure working with students outside of a classroom setting on a play, which she claims helps with their overall growth and development.
“At this age, it’s great (for them) to be able to have another outlet where they are able to explore another person’s story, and be able to express themselves,” Lederhouse said.
The halls of Glen Ellyn’s Hadley Junior High School echoed with song this week as students and staff held last-minute rehearsals for their musical performance of “Beauty and the Beast.”
More than 100 Hadley students will participate in the play, based on the Disney movie, that debuts Friday night.
“This would be a perfect play to see because I think this product has turned out so well,” said sixth-grader Maddie Giffin, 12, who is one of two students portraying the role of Belle. “We all worked so hard.”
The musical tells the story of a young prince who is turned into a beast after he dismisses an enchantress disguised as a beggar who offered a rose in exchange for a night’s shelter. To break the spell, he must love and be loved in return before all the rose’s petals have fallen off or he will remain a beast forever. Hope to break the spell is almost lost until a young woman, Belle, offers to take her father’s place as a prisoner at the Beast’s castle.
“I think it’s a fun, family show,” said Lisa Schmela, the show’s director of acting. “The reason why I like this show is because it’s not what’s on the outside but it’s what’s on the inside that counts, and I think that’s a really good message for kids.”
Belle’s selflessness is what distinguishes her from other Disney princesses, said seventh-grader Molly Hernandez, 13, who also plays Belle at some of the performances.
“All the other princesses are greedy at times, but Belle is just really humble,” Molly said.
Maddie agreed Belle is different from other princesses.
“She doesn’t want more riches and fame,” Maddie said. “All she wants is a happy life.”
Hadley sixth-grade teacher Julia Lederhouse said working as assistant director of the play has been the highlight of her first year of teaching at the school. She said it was a pleasure working with students outside of a classroom setting on a play, which she claims helps with their overall growth and development.
“At this age, it’s great (for them) to be able to have another outlet where they are able to explore another person’s story, and be able to express themselves,” Lederhouse said.
