The new school year means the start of rehearsals for Kutztown Area School District’s annual musical production, which features student performers from the district’s elementary, middle and high schools.
This year, the district will present Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, featuring a live orchestra, full costuming and a custom-built set. Seniors Krystal Nolte and Colton Cutlip play the roles of Beauty and the Beast, respectively. In total, 57 students perform in the production, while an additional 15 volunteer for stage crew, pit orchestra and sound and lights. Parents and community members also volunteer in a variety of roles, including ticket sellers, ushers, costume design, set painting and prop gatherers.
“This is a full-scale production,” said Bryan Hartman, director and high school music teacher. “We’re fortunate to have the support of the students, the school, the parents and the community. We always welcome additional volunteers.”
Rehearsals began on the first day of school. Since then, students have been practicing the show’s most famous songs, including “Belle,” and “Beauty and the Beast.” The stage production also includes music not seen in the movie version, including a song called “Human Again.”
Many of the scenes in Beauty and the Beast include sophisticated dance numbers. Students are working under the direction of choreographer Megan Laudenslager to master those routines.
Performances are Friday, Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 22 at 2:00 p.m. in the Kutztown High School auditorium.
Advance tickets are available every Tuesday and Wednesday evening in the Kutztown High School auditorium lobby from 6 to 7:30 p.m. starting Oct. 6. Seats can also be reserved by calling 610-683-9945.
“It’s always good to come to the lobby to reserve your seats if at all possible,” Hartman said. “You can pick the exact seats you want from a diagram of the auditorium and have them in hand on the day of the show so you don’t have to wait in line.”
