Students to stage “Beauty and the Beast, Jr.”

     It’s a tale as old as time, and this week an all student cast will tell the story of a beauty and a beast.
    The story, based on Disney’s Academy Award winning animated feature, will play out on the Coal City Performing Arts Center stage as fourth and fifth graders from Coal City Intermediate School present “Beauty and the Beast, Jr.” on Thursday, March 22.
    Zachary Terry will appear as the prince who is turned into a beast under a spell cast by an enchantress to be played by Bridgette Feeney.  The beauty in this story is an independent girl named Belle, a role that will be played by Mae Connor.
    The cast of enchanted objects include Logan Hausman as Lumiere, the castle valet turned candelabra; Kylie Kennell in the role of Cogsworth, a butler who is now a mantel clock; Bella Byers as Mrs. Pots, a cook transformed into a tea pot; Madison Wilson as Babette, the chamber maid turned duster, and D’Arcy Ness as Madame de la Grande Bouche, an opera singer turned wardrobe. Mason Natyshok will appear as Chip, the son of Mrs. Potts who is now a tea cup.  
    The town brute, Gaston, is played by Julian Micetich and taking the stage as his friend, Lefou, is  Vince Mugnolo. Dylan Young plays Maurie, Belle’s father.
    In all, 52 fourth and fifth graders will take the stage for the production sponsored by the intermediate school student council.
    Shows will take place at10:30 a.m.,  1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Performances are open to the public and admission is $2 per adult, children see the show for fee.
    The Coal City Performing Arts Center is located inside Coal City High School. Audience members should park in the west lot and enter through the events entry.