High School musical a real “Beauty”

Newark Charter High School presented the classic fairy tale “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” to four sold out audiences, totaling over 1,600 seats in all. The audience size was not the only large part of this show. Including a cast of 70 students, student-led lighting and sound operations, an all-student stage crew, and student orchestra members, nearly 100 seventh through eleventh graders were part of this year’s production.    The production involved elaborate costumes and make up, consultations with a professional magician, a stage combat expert and the construction of a large, complicated set. “This was the biggest, most challenging show we’ve ever done,” remarked director Mrs. Annie Slease. “It certainly was a team effort. The best part, though, is always seeing the students beaming with pride as they take their final bows. That makes all the hard work worth it,” she said.Eleventh grader Annie Greene, who played the part of Cogsworth, said she values her time in the NCS musicals.  She has participated since fifth grade.  “It’s a chance to spend time doing something I love with people I love,” she said.  “You can really see the growth in the students participating, from the first practice to the final show.  Getting to be a part of that growth is amazing,” she said.