Beauty and the Beast comes to life on the Taft School stage for three evening performances October 27, 28 and 29. All shows begin at 8 p.m. in Bingham Auditorium.
A timeless fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast was first published in France in 1740. Since then, there have been dozens of print, stage and film adaptations of the classic tale. Taft theatre and film teacher Rick Doyle directs the current version, based on the stage adaptation of the Disney film.
“Everyone knows and loves the story of the beauty and the beast. If you look beneath the skin, the characters are rich and complex. The story of universal acceptance is one that resonates for everyone,” notes Doyle. “It is a great musical – certainly Disney’s best.”
Beauty and the Beast is the story of Belle, a beautiful and kind-hearted young girl living in a small French village with her inventor father. Prince Adam lives a in a lavish castle, cursed to beast form by an enchantress who saw no love in his heart. Belle dreams of finding a prince; Adam dreams of finding the true love that will release the curse. When Belle's father takes a wrong turn in the forest he unwittingly sets events in motion that will make both of their dreams come true.
“I thoroughly enjoy playing Belle,” said Jillian Wipfler '13. “Not only is she a princess, but she is a passionate and intelligent girl with a fire in her. Although it’s challenging, I’m working to create my own Belle, while keeping her the princess we all know and love.”
Jillian has been performing in regional and community theater throughout Connecticut since elementary school. At Taft, she has been featured in Peter Pan, Ragtime, and Lend Me a Tenor.
Jacob Goldstein '15 plays Prince Adam, the Beast. Jacob’s formal training includes Italian opera; he is currently in the Collegium at Taft.
“Preparing for Beauty and the Beast is a combination of hard work and great fun. I get to become this character who is completely different from myself and with it I take on all of his problems and all of his goals,” explained Jacob.
Musical Adapted from the Disney Film by LINDA WOOVERTON AND ALAN MENKEN
Lyrics by HOWARD ASHMAN AND TIM RICE
Music by ALAN MENKEN