Join KMC Onstage for this classic story in an action-packed all-youth performance this holiday season.

Directed by Julie Phillips and LT Rafael Medina, the KMC Onstage performance of “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr.” whisks the audience to an enchanted world full of comedy, drama, action and romance. With delightful characters and familiar music, the production embraces the underlining message that being different isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

After a brief narrated prologue, the musical quickly opens with a much-needed dose of town gossip. Through song and dialogue, the townsfolk detect that Belle (Emma Seifer) is “peculiar” as she walks around “with her nose stuck in a book.”

Unlike the Les Filles (Brianna Alent, Zoe Olsen, Nora Seifert) in her provincial town, Belle is unimpressed by the good looks of the local celebrity, Gaston (Michelle Wilson). Instead, she dreams of leaving her humdrum routine to find adventures like the ones recorded in her beloved books. Her father, Maurice (Audrey Peters), shows up with an impressively made mechanical invention adding a bit of whimsy and insight into how Belle’s upbringing must have influenced her quirky nature.

This family-friendly musical is full of fun comedic nuggets, including some hysterical moments during the tavern scene. As the ever-so arrogant Gaston reveals his chest while singing the line, “and every part of me is covered in hair” the audience roars with laughter. The comedic timing is truly spot on.

The studio space on Daenner Kaserne allows for an immersive experience—one where audience members can view the action from three different vantage points. Rather than risking being blocked by taller guests, kids can even sit on the floor in their very own “splash zone.”

Throughout the performance, the backstage crew carefully rotates walls positioned behind the raised stage, which transports the setting from Belle’s French provincial town to the mysterious castle in an instant. The actors also utilize the floor space as an extension of the stage. This gives much-needed room for the large cast during high energy song and dance numbers.

As her “tale as old as time” unfolds, Belle finds herself locked inside an enchanted castle by the infamous Beast (Dorian Schwarz). There Belle meets a host of friendly animated objects—Lumiere (Audrey Phillips), Babette (Avery Smith), Cogsworth (Maggie Kirkpatrick), Madame (Sakari Mayer), Mrs. Potts (Kiera Hogans) and Chip (Sadie Phillips) — who mitigate an understanding between her and her captor.

Lumière, along with the other castle residents, pull out all the stops to impress their honored dinner guest. During the showstopper, they dance and sing their way through “Be Our Guest” with full energy. Before ending in a finale of streamers, the excitement builds as more and more characters enter the stage, including a chorus line of dancing silverware and china. 

All the characters are easy to pick out as each have costumes unique to their personality and function. Cleverly, several performers are even decked out in faux foliage-covered masks and shirts to represent the forest. This provides the perfect setting for the wolves’ dance and fight scenes.

The enchanted rose is perhaps the most iconic prop and an important symbol in this tale. Residing in a dome in the west wing of the castle, the rose serves as a constant reminder of the Beast’s looming deadline.

At the musical’s most pivotal and romantic moment, Belle and the Beast admit “there may be something there that wasn’t there before,” which gives onlookers hope that the curse may soon be broken. On cue, and as cute as a button, Chip wonders, “What is there, mamma?” “Shh,” she quickly replies, “I’ll tell you later when you’re older.”

The all-youth cast of 29 includes 14 cast members new to KMC Onstage, and they all bring an incredible array of musical, acting and dancing talent. The choreography is well rehearsed, and the hard work is evident time and time again, particularly when the large ensemble joins the stage as in the tavern where performers clink their steins in rhythm, attempting to cheer up their favorite celebrity—Gaston.

With most happily-ever-after stories, there’s usually a lesson to be learned. Likewise, this musical delivers a clear message of acceptance and kindness. By the end, we learn that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Instead, we should turn the page and read on.

Be sure to stop by the refreshment table to find an assortment of baked goods and beverages, as well as Beauty and the Beast themed souvenirs. Because the seats aren’t assigned, it’s best to arrive early for more seating choices. The house generally opens 30 minutes prior to showtime.

• Dec. 6, 2024 at 7 p.m.

• Dec 7, 2024 at 2 p.m.

• Dec. 7, 2024 at 7 p.m.

• Dec. 8, 2024 at 2 p.m.

• Dec. 13, 2024 at 7 p.m.

• Dec 14, 2024 at 2 p.m.

• Dec. 14, 2024 at 7 p.m.

• Dec. 15, 2024 at 2 p.m.

Reserve tickets ahead on WEBTRAC or by calling the KMC Onstage box office at 0611-143-541-9129 or DSN 541-9129.

This story was edited by Kat Nickola

Community Theaters

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