Tonight is opening night for Abington High School Drama Club’s production of Beauty and the Beast. The club is putting on three performances: Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m., and Saturday at 2 p.m.
Abington News talked to Drama Society Advisor Megan Tomlin this week as the troupe was putting on the final touches.
AN: What inspired the choice of this show?
MT: I picked Beauty and the Beast because we had the right group of kids for this kind of show. This was also the first show I ever did as a drama kid at AHS.
I think Beauty and the Beast really is a tale as old as time. The themes of feeling like you don’t fit in, or beating yourself up for your mistakes are really represented through the Beast and Belle. I think it’s always a good reminder to get to know someone before you judge them and not just make assumptions based on what you think you may know. Things in the world are tense right now and I think it is good to be able to go to the theatre and see a show with a positive message and a fun production. A lot of people have nostalgic feelings towards this show and it’s nice for the theatre to sometimes just make you happy.
AN: Has this been a challenging show to produce?
MT: Beauty and the Beast is a huge show to tackle. It requires an 11-piece orchestra, a grand set, very specific costumes, multiple special effects, dynamic lighting (designed by Aidan Guilderson), and lots and LOTS of dancing (choreographed by AHS alum/AMS teacher Susan Mullen). Thankfully, we have a fantastic production team and a talented cast who have made the process smooth.
AN: Who’s been instrumental in helping pull everything together, both on-stage and behind the curtain?
We are lucky to have a cast of talented and dedicated students. All of them have put in the hard work to make this show happen. Dakota Burke (Belle) is a freshman and just turned 15 at the start of our tech week. Belle is a heavy lift for any actress, so for her to come in at her age and tackle the role is very impressive. We have 10 actors graduating this year, many of whom have been with the program for a long time. For instance, our Lumiere, Colin McDermott, starred as Oliver (the first ever show in the new auditorium) when he was in 6th grade, and he is now graduating from the program.
Our adult production staff have been instrumental in getting this show off the ground. We are so grateful that they have been mentoring our students in all facets of stage production. My co-director/costumer, Presley Mahanna, has a costume apprentice (Lainey Hogan-sophomore) and make up apprentice (Chloe Holland-junior) who are true artists. Henry Beckvold, the Technical Director, has been mentoring our stage crew, including seniors Jack Regan (stage manager) and Jill Groom (deck captain) on the ins and outs of the behind the scenes work that goes into a show. Senior Natalie Van Luling has been doing props for us for a few years and really was put to the test for this production with how many specific pieces are needed.
The show literally does not go on without junior Molly Joyce, who stage manages and calls every cue in the show. Her job is stressful even for an adult and the fact that she has been doing it since she was a sophomore is incredibly impressive. [Past advisor] Steve Shannon has graciously returned to AHS Drama to conduct our orchestra and has been mentoring me on the best way to run the theatre program at the school. That has been a nice full circle experience for me as a former student of his.
Finally, we need to thank the Drama parents (including all the dads/brothers who spent HOURS putting together our rented set) and the Abington community for donating their time, money, and talents to ensure that our students can have the best show possible. This truly has been a community effort that is reflective of the “small town, big family” that Abington is known for.
Tickets, which are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. can be purchased ahead of time here. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.
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