Thomas Connolly

Musical Director

 

What attributes do you think someone needs to be successful during the musical?

“I would say they have to be committed to the show, have a positive attitude; since we have lots  of rehearsals, and it takes up a lot of your time and patience, and willingness to put themselves out there and not be afraid to take chances.”

 

What was the hardest thing for you to teach?

“Sometimes it's difficult to try and teach or help young actors experience emotions they may not have experienced and translate that to the stage.”

 

Were there any problems putting the musical together?

“Oh, there are always problems putting the musical together! It's always like trying put out a house that's on fire from inside the house; you're always trying to figure out and fix things. This is natural; it's part of putting the process together. It's not a function of the cast or of this certain show. As much as you prepare, you can’t prepare for everything. So, eventually, you just got to be ready to adapt, change, and be willing to do what you can to make the show the best it can be.”

 

What song do you think will have the most hits?

“Well, there are the two songs that everybody knows: 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Be Our Guest.'  People notice it from when they were very little. So, I expect to look across the audience and see people singing along and just really enjoying those two numbers in particular.”

 

Why should people come see the show?

“Because it's freaking awesome with a stupendous cast! It's a fun show to enjoy, and plus it's lots of nostalgia for people to remember back to when they first saw the movie or saw it on Broadway. So, it will spark some of those old memories, bringing them all back to life. [The cast] is awesome and you should appreciate the talent we have in Newington”

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Eric Venables

The Beast

Junior

 

What attributes do you think someone needs to be successful during the musical?

“I think you need to come to rehearsal and genuinely want to be here because when people don't want to be here, it shows. You can see when they're dancing [that] they're watching other people, but you should be the one that people watch. Not only dancing but also with singing.”

 

Are you nervous for opening night?

“I am very nervous! I feel like you should be nervous in a good and a bad way. This year, I feel, based off of snow days, we fell a little behind, and I hope that everyone has the motivation to get us to where we need to be for opening night. But, either way, you should be nervous whether you are ahead or behind [the stage], and it's a good thing and a bad thing.”

 

What was the hardest thing for you to learn?

“Well, I still have to learn how to dance. I'm a terrible dancer, so maybe that's yet to come. But, so far, I think the hardest thing has been moving around like a beast. Mr. Connolly wants me to have a certain stride and sort of crawl around like a beast, and it's been hard to do that sometimes.”

 

What song do you think will have the most hits?

“I know 'Be Our Guest' is a real crowd pleaser, and I don't mean this in a bad way or to inflate my ego; but the song that the Beast sings at the end of act one ('If I Can’t Love Her'), that one always gets a lot of applause as well because it closes out the first act, and it's very emotional.”

 

Why should people come see the show?

“People should come see the show because it's a story that everyone knows and loves. It's a lot of fun for the cast but also for the audience. When you have a show that no one knows, it's fun to learn the story; but, there's only so much you can learn in three hours, you know? When you know the story and the characters so well, it's really fun to see our take on things. It's going to be a lot of fun for us and the people watching as well.”

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Diana Coleman

Mrs. Potts

Senior

 

What attributes do you think someone needs to be successful during the musical?

“They have to be very hardworking, and they have to take what they learn at rehearsal and bring it home to rehearse it in their own way, so [that] they come back knowing their parts and so we can make progress.”

 

Are you nervous for opening night?

“I am; I really am! It's my first lead [role], but it's my fourth show, so I am nervous, yet prepared.”

 

What was the hardest thing for you to learn?

“My lines! I've never had to learn lines ever in my life except for Tech Week (A Chamber Choir Production), but I had easy lines. It hasn't been too bad, but it's the first time I've had to take that challenge.”

 

What song do you think will have the most hits?

“Honestly, 'Human Again' is my favorite because it's just so fun and has a good beat and tune to it!”

 

Why should people come see the show?

“Because we've worked so hard, and the cast is amazing. I feel like it's a good show, since everyone knows it; everyone knows the plot line and characters. So, it's gonna be good.”

 

Do you think any of aspects of the show or performing in general will help you later in life?

“Yes! Definitely time management is something I've learned a lot of. Having a really busy schedule has helped me learn to deal with that, and it will help me in my future a lot.”

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Matthew Plourd

Lumiere, the Candlestick

Junior

 

What attributes does someone have to have to be successful in the musical?

“Time management and ability to make sure you can’t get overwhelmed over small things.”

 

Are you nervous for opening night?

“A little bit, but I always tend to get nervous right as I go on stage. I rarely usually feel that beforehand. “

 

What was the hardest thing for you to learn?

“The hardest thing for me to learn was the accent. 100%. It has taken a few rehearsals.”

 

What song do you think will have the most hits?

“I think as much as I love to say 'Be Our Guest,' I think 'If I can’t love her' will be the one that people really like because it’s so personal and so emotional.”

 

Why should people come see the show?

“Because it’s a good time and a lot of fun, and there’s a lot of work that goes into it, and it’s always the best it can possibly be.  It's not only something to do; it’s something you’ll enjoy when you come. “

 

Do you think any of aspects of the show or performing in general will help you later in life?

“Of course, yeah I think that in order for me to understand how to interact with people, I need to go through this every year, in order to understand different people because if you’re just doing something you know, you can be in one cast, and you can be [something else] with a whole host of different people. And the next cast with a whole host of other different people, you'll need to learn how to interact with them as well. You learn how to work with people with different mindsets than you and how to work together to create something we are all proud of. “

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Michelle Gofman
Madame de la Grande Bouche, wardrobe
Junior

What attributes do you think someone needs to be in the musical?
I think the most important part is that you participate and that you practice and try your best to get the showmusical

get  to wear it’s supposed to be like you want to have fun at the same time but you want to be focused.”to

into

 

Have you ever had a lead before?

“No, this is my first”

“Uhm A
Are you nervous for opening night?littlebituhm since this is my first time being a lead but I have done the musicals before. I think opening night is the most important and the most like nervousness but it’s so fun when you get into that room and you do your cheer and you get all hype and then you get on stage”

 

What was the hardest thing for you to learn?

“Hardest thing for me would be the lines because you have to memorize and the more you practice the more easier it gets”

 

What song do you think will have the most hits?

“I think between human and guest because its the biggest number of the show and has the most people on the stage with dance and music”

 

Why should people come see the show

“I think people should come because it’s fun and it’s an amazing show, it’s a Disney show, everyone knows Disney. The more people that come to the show the greater it’s going to be”

 

Do you think what you are learning will help in future?

“Definitely because like for example if you want to go to college if you do the musical it helps set you up and gets your experience to a higher level. Even if you go to regular college they look for electives you’ve done. It prepares you if you want to go to broadway.”
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Kimberly Larson

Choreographer

 

What attributes does someone need to have to be successful during the musical?

“Good listening skills… just the want to be a part of the show.”

 

Are you nervous for opening night?

“I am.  I always get nervous for opening night, and I always cry when the first song comes on."

 

What was the hardest thing for you to teach?

“I think the hardest routine for us to learn and teach was [the number] 'Gaston'… I think 'Gaston' because it’s so detailed - there's so many intricate little parts, and it's the major guy number, so those always take a little more time.”

 

What song will have the most hits?

“Hmm...I think it's gonna be 'Be Our Guest,' but part of me thinks 'Gaston' because it's the guy number.”

 

Do you like to put more of your own choreography or use more of the original choreography?

“I love to look up what people have already done and see how they did it so I can find a different…a different way to do it and to change it to keep it new and fresh for us.”

 

Why should people come see the musical?

“Because it is amazing, and everyone worked really hard, and it's going to be a hit.”

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Caroline Lynch

Belle

Sophomore

 

What attributes does someone need to have to be successful during the musical?

“Umm… Honestly, you just have to have a lot of passion for it. You got to really love what you're doing.”

 

Is this your first big lead and are you nervous for opening night?

“It is. I am very nervous for opening night.”

 

What was the hardest thing for you to learn/teach?

“Honestly, it's just blocking.  It’s hard for me to get my entrances straight.  I don't know - that's always been a struggle for me.”

 

What song do you think will have the most hits?

“I love 'A Change in Me' so much.  I feel like people are gonna love it.  It's a beautiful song.”

 

Why should people come see the show?

“Everyone worked so hard on it, and the cast is so talented, and I know I really enjoyed working on it.  So, I think everyone's gonna love it.”

 

How does it feel to have your first high school lead?

“It's really awesome, but I'm kinda terrified.  It's a lot of pressure because there are so many people, and if I don't do well, it's gonna be bad.”

 

Do you think any of the things you're learning will help you in the future?

“I do because you need a lot of dedication and responsibility, and I feel like those kinds of skills are really gonna help when I'm an adult…time management too.”

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Mary Ancona
Belle (cast)

Junior

What attributes does someone need to be in the musical?
“The ability to accept criticism maybe not criticism but feedback.”

 

Is this your first big show?
“Yes, besides 'The Addams Family' which we did last year.”

Are you nervous for opening night?
“Yes! Extremely.“

 

What do you think was the hardest thing for you to learn?
“I don’t know… Probably how to like portray emotions well.”

What song do you think will have the most hits?
“I feel like people will like the opener 'Belle' and 'Be Our Guest' the most because they are just so fun!”

Why should people come see the show?
“Because it's fantastic, and it's a good deal! It's a good price for a fantastic show, and it's good music, and it's just a fun time, and you’ll enjoy yourself!”

Do you think any of the things you are learning in the show will help you later in life?
“Yes, I think the ability to work with other people and feed off their ideas and figuring things out together will be applicable.”

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Jack Digerolamo

Gaston

Junior

 

What attributes does someone need to be successful during the musical?

“They have to be outgoing and really be a sociable person and be able to work with other people and have good scheduling skills about where you need to be and how you will get there.”

 

Is this your first show?

“Yes, this is my first real show.”

 

Are you nervous for opening night?

“I’m terrified. I’ve done solo singing before, and it’s gonna be different. It’ll be fun.”

 

What was the hardest thing to learn?

“Dancing because it’s not something I’m good at.”

 

What song do you think will have the most hits?

“ 'Maison de Lunes' just because it’s interesting.”

 

Why should people come see the show?

“A lot of great music and everyone that is involved is so talented, and it’s a Disney show so the songs are gonna be great.”

 

Do you think this show will help you in the future in any way?

“Yeah, the planning skills because I’ve had to work around a lot with baseball and soccer this winter, and it’s been a process getting used to having so much going on.”

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Joshua Mains

Cogsworth

Senior

 

What attributes does someone need to be successful during the musical?

“They need to be patient because we are very busy.  There’s a lot of time out into this, and we need to sacrifice.  You definitely need to be very generous because it’s a big cast and work similar to a ‘family’ - you only get what you put out.“

 

Are you nervous for opening night?

“A little bit - not too much.“

 

What was the hardest thing for you to learn?

“How to do my accent without hurting my vocal cords because it’s old and British but deep.”

 

What song will have the most hits?

“ 'Be Our Guest.' ”

 

Why should people come see the show?

“Because it’s Beauty and the Beast, and it’s very good cast and going to be great.”

 

Do you think what you're learning in the show will help you later in life?

“Oh, yeah, oh definitely - all the acting. The acting in general because you’re gonna get a job you hate, and you’ll be able to act like you like it.”

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Nicholas Fittz

Lefou

Junior

 

What attributes do you need to be successful?

“They need to be dedicated, know your part, and, most importantly, have fun with your part, and the more you have fun the more you want to be at rehearsals.”

 

Are you nervous about open night?

“Yes and no because I’m a lot less stressed about it because it’s definitely a smaller part.”

 

What was the hardest thing to learn?

“I’d say probably his (Lefou's) personality when he’s with Gaston because you kinda have to learn how to interact with Gaston and shadow him.”

 

What song will have the most hits?

“ 'Gaston.' “

 

Why should people come see the show?

“It is hilarious!  It is definitely not the normal Beauty and the Beast. There’s a lot of talent all together, dancing is gonna be phenomenal.”

 

Do you think being in this show will help you later in life?

"It teaches people to grow up as leaders - 'teamwork,' definitely."