AFTER COUNTLESS HOURS of rehearsing lines, practicing songs and learning choreography, the classic fairy tale of “far-off places, sword fights, magic spells and a prince in disguise” was brought to life on the stage.
St. Junipero Serra Catholic School debuted its spring musical, Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast Jr.,” on March 27 to a full house in its St. Serra Theatre. The Rancho Santa Margarita school put on the classic tale with a cast and crew of 116 students from first grade up to eighth.
“I think the kids did their best and they really had a great time performing,” said theater director Janess Sifers, who also serves as student services coordinator and choir director. “They worked together as a team to get the job done.”
The show featured the same beloved characters as the animated classic, like the Beast (Dashel Plazak), Belle (Rowan Graham), Gaston (Bryson Plazak), Lefou (Brody Gilmore), Lumiere (Jayme Lawrence), Cogsworth (Jaclyn Medeiros) and Mrs. Potts (Sabrina Campo). The chance to play the iconic Disney princess was a lot of pressure to live up to, but also a chance to fulfill a childhood dream, Graham said.
“It’s like a dream come true, because this is like my mini-self’s dream come true,” the 13-year-old said.
The seventh grader said she auditioned for the part of Belle, as well as other parts, but was really hoping for the Disney princess role. She said she was shocked and surprised when she got the role.
Graham, who takes voice and dance lessons, in addition to acting in the spring musicals, said she loves to perform “It’s a surreal experience,” she added.
“You get to be a different person, and you also know what you are doing. A lot of the time in real life, I just don’t know what I am doing, so I like that I know what to do on stage.”
Dashel Plazak, 14, who plays the Beast, said playing such a well-known character takes a lot of responsibility. He took pride in his part, feeling it was also important for him to be a positive role model for the many younger students in the cast and crew. Having been in the spring musical since first grade, Dashel said he has been in their shoes.
“I would just help them out because I’ve been there before, I’ve done that,” he added. “So, if they are not in the right position, if they are not saying the right line, I would nudge them, let them know what they need to do and be an example of what they should be doing.”
Sifers said she loves watching the students across grade levels become friends. She chose “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” for its ensemble numbers that allow all the students to be showcased and have an important role in the show.
“I think theater for young students helps build friendships, gain responsibilities and give them a different kind of experience,” she said. “Whether it be onstage or backstage, I think they learn how to work as a team to accomplish a goal. If they can find happiness in that for themselves, it’s very rewarding for all.”
For the eighth graders, this was their final spring musical before graduation and leaving for high school. Dashel Plazal said he isn’t ready to go yet.
“It is going to be emotional; it is going to be sad,” he said, “but I am going to try to live it as much as I can right now and just have as much fun as I can right now.”