The cast of Disney's Beauty & The Beast Jr. perform a scene during an afternoon school matinee. (Submitted Photo/Cara Stelmaschuk)

By Derek Craddock

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Local students bring classic story to the stage this weekend

Dec 2, 2022 | 6:00 PM

It’s a tale as old as time and dozens of young students want you to be their guest for this timeless classic.

The Broadway North Youth Company program will be presenting Disney’s Beauty & The Beast Jr. this weekend at the EA Rawlinson Centre after months of rehearsals and preparations.

“It’s a full education program that also happens to culminate with the full musical production in the end,” said Cara Stelmaschuk with the EA Rawlinson Centre.

“We have 80 cast members and two technicians that are all students of the Broadway North Youth Company program. They come together, they meet every Saturday, all day. They put this show together plus they learn a lot about musical theatre over and above the actual production of this show.”

The students have been meeting since May and in that time, they’ve balanced their studies with putting together the production. In total, they will have six school matinees and four public performances with the first running Friday night.

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The students and staff include the cast members, technicians, and those behind the scenes with set design and costumes, students in the program range in age from seven to 18.

For some, the program adds to their busy lifestyle in the arts while for others it’s their only outlet.

“Some take voice lessons, some take music lessons, some are enrolled in a dance school, and some this is what they do, this is their foray into performing arts,” said Stelmaschuk. “We’ve got a wide range of experience levels and talents and they all just come together and it’s a great team effort to put these shows on.”

Stelmaschuk noted tickets are in high demand for this show and with only four public performances scheduled, she encourages people to book their tickets right away.

“If anyone’s on the fence, bring the kids. It’s a one-hour show it starts at seven. You’re out of here just after eight. It’s a show that’s been cut down specifically for young audiences,” she said. “It’s made for the littles to come and have that experience of live theatre.”

The performances run on Dec. 2, 3, 9, and 10.

More information and tickets can be found on the EA Rawlinson website.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock