Belle and the Beast coming to a stage in Maple Ridge

It’s a tale as old as time and Thomas Haney Secondary will be putting it on for all to enjoy.

Rehearsals started in October for the musical, Beauty and the Beast, based on the 1756 book and 1946 film by the same name. Walt Disney Pictures also came out with an animated version in 1991.

More than 65 students from Grades 8 to 12 will be putting on the show making up the members of both cast and crew.

Beauty and the Beast is the story about a country girl named Belle who dreams of adventure. But when she has to save her father from a castle dungeon, she encounters a beast, who agrees to free her father, only if she agrees to take his place.

The beast is really a prince who was transformed after refusing a beggar woman – who was really an enchantress – refuge from a storm. He will only turn back to a prince if he learns to love another and be loved in return before the last petal drops on an enchanted rose.

Grade 12 student Tiara Cross, is playing the role of Belle.

Cross said this is her second time performing the show, she said there are so many scenes that are re-imagined in the Thomas Haney version of the story, and there is so much attention to detail.

“I think for a new audience watching this It’s very interesting to see how much detail and how unique the show can be,” said the 17-year-old, crediting student director Annie Di Giovanni for adding different characters that add to the musical, like along with the main characters for the song Be Our Guest, there are dancing knives, forks, and even a menu.

Playing Belle is an added challenge for Cross, as in the past she has gravitated toward more of the funny, quirky roles in productions. But this role is more serious and, she said, has taken her out of her comfort zone.

And, she said, Belle is unique as a Disney princess as she is less like the damsel in distress, and more like an “actual full, rounded character”.

Playing the role of Lumiere is Grade 12 student Abby Turenne. For Turenne, it is the opposite, she has played more serious roles in the past. It is the first time she has taken on a comedic role.

RELATED: Schools come together for 2nd annual music fest in Maple Ridge

And, she said the French accent is also a challenge – along with having candlesticks as hands.

“I actually have to have both my hands up in like a candlestick structure,” she said.

Meishell Honuisett-Diroux, Grade 12, is playing the part of Cogsworth, praised the makeup and costume crew.

For her costume the team added cardboard to to make it stick out and added a moving clock pendulum to it.

Honuisett-Diroux said her favourite part of the production is bonding with the whole team.

“I think we have just a really great team this year,” she said.

Gavin Making, 17, is playing the Beast and said every movement he makes with his body performing this role is very different than how he would normally present himself.

The Grade 11 student said it is a role that is also vocally hard because he is always yelling on stage and then he has to sing songs.

All the songs from the movie are in the production along with more songs from the musical.

Making’s favourite song is If I Can’t Love Her, which he sings as the Beast, the final song in Act One.

ALSO: Budget surplus to address growing needs of SD42

“It’s probably what I’m proudest of from this whole experience because I’ve been working so much on singing it and acting it and it’s been really rewarding to get to perform it for everybody on our set with all the music and everything over the last couple of weeks,” he said.

Another great aspect to the musical is the two-level set.

“It’s a really big set and people have been working overtime to get it done,” said Cross. “And it looks incredible.

The Thomas Haney production will be hitting the stage on Thursday, April 27, at Sightlines Theatre, 23000 116th Ave., Maple Ridge.

Tickets can be purchased at TCBY Yogurt, unit 102, 22308 Lougheed Highway or by emailing: thsssightlinetheatre@gmail.com.

The show runs April 27 and 28 at 7 p.m. and on April 29 at 2 p.m..

And at 7 p.m. May 3, 4, and 5.

Doors open a half hour before show time.

Tickets are $15 per adult and $10 per student or senior.

For more information go to: thsssightlinetheat.wixsite.com/thsssightlinetheatre.