The invitations went out a few weeks ago amid much excitement. Guests were invited to a “royal dinner feast” and advised to “come dressed for the castle: formal, festive, and fun.”
As the news spread, there was a buzz around the kingdom—or, at least, the theater department. The guests of the royal feast were the cast and crew of my daughter’s high school production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. One mom conceived of and planned the “beast feast”, another hosted it, and several others joined in to donate items or help serve.
When I started placing glasses of water and tea at elegant place settings, I was struck by the beauty of each table, covered in several patterns of china, crystal, flatware, silver candelabras, and flowers. The music, which included some songs from the show, provided the background for talking, laughing, and impromptu singing. The students looked wonderful in their festive attire.
As I leaned over my daughter’s shoulder to refill her glass, I said in a quiet, teasing voice, “Do you ever feel as though your mother is breathing down your neck?” She laughed and said yes. (Hopefully she was kidding.)
Other moms and dads brought out several courses of delicious dishes. The menu included cheese soup, green salad, beef ragout, an “enchanted rose” cupcake, and “the grey stuff”, the mysterious dessert mentioned in the song, “Be Our Guest.” Many of the students tried it and agreed: “It’s delicious!”
It was a special evening. The setting, food, and atmosphere made for a marvelous prelude to the Beauty and the Beast show.
And now it’s show week. There’s excitement in the air on campus and at our house. There’s beauty in this story--“tale as old as time”--and on the stage in many forms.
So many gifts go into a stage production: directing, stage-managing, acting, singing, music, dance, design of all kinds (costumes, set, props, lights and sound, the program cover art), and more.
When everyone brings their unique gifts and skills to a production, together they create a piece of art in every performance. They can also create special memories for the audience and themselves. This show has certainly done that for us.
What is your favorite show or musical? Let me know in the comments below.
P.S. Kudos to my daughter, stage manager extraordinaire. Congratulations to her and all of the Wolf Players!
Special thanks to Steve Broyles, the director, and to all the faculty and staff involved.
Special thanks to the Wolf Players’ moms who made the “Beast Feast” happen and to those who provided photos. I was serving and enjoying the event and didn't stop to take any photos (ha!), so I'm very grateful that someone else did.
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