Drama Geeks' Beauty and the Beast comes to SCCC this weekend

By Laurie Gordon
NEWTON — Breathe in the magic of Beauty and the Beast at the Sussex County Community College auditorium from Dec. 1 through Dec. 17. There will be Friday and Saturday performances at 8 pm and Saturday and Sunday 2 pm matinees.
With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice and the book by Linda Woolverton, Drama Geek Studios' production is directed by Joshua Reed with choreography by Lori Tomlin. Step into the enchanted world of one of Broadway's modern classic. The story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his castle will be doomed for all eternity.
The performances features two casts. The adult cast will perform on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 pm and young cast performers and understudies will be featured in the Saturday and Sunday matinees.
“At Drama Geek Studios, one of our missions is to foster a creative space where the developing actors have an opportunity to learn, build confidence and perform,” said Reed, who is also the artistic director at the studio. “Giving the young actors the opportunity to perform on stage in front of a live audience is essential and they are doing an amazing job.”
One of those young actors is Clayton Doyle, a sixth-grader at McKeown Elementary School. He's playing the role of Chip in the musical.
“I decided to audition because acting looked like so much fun and I like singing and I ras really surprised and excited that I got the part,” Doyle said. “I think the part of Chip is really awesome because he's a really cute character who is sure he'll be human again. It's a fun role because I have to act with only my face.” He added, “Rehearsals are late, so I have to b sure my homework is done before rehearsal and sometimes I have to miss other activities. My favorite thing about being Chip is talking in a a cute voice the whole show.”
In addition to acting, Doyle is an accomplished baseball player and runner.
Reed said, “Being that this show is known the world over we have taken this production very seriously. We have had rehearsal four times a week going back to September 23. Two of those rehearsals each week were music and the other two focused on the other aspects of the show. Everyone involved has worked extremely hard on this production and I feel that will be evident once people see the finished product.”
“We are also trying to raise money for a scholarship in memory of our dear friend, Sam Frank Smetana, who passed away this past July,” He added. “The money raised over the three weekends will go towards college tuition for her youngest daughter who is a senior at Pope John.”
The cast includes: The Beast (Matt Arnold), Belle (Laura Bolt), Maurice (Dan Reed), Gaston (Mike Barthel), LeFou (Chrissy Fulmer), Lumiere (David Colberg), Cogsworth (Phil Cocilovo), Wardrobe (Jodi Halteman), Mrs. Potts (Nancy Brennan), Chip ()Clayton Doyle and Robby Matkiwsky), Babette (Meg Callan), Enchantress/Baker (Lori Tomlin), Mosnieur D'Arque (Josh Reed), Young Prince/Ensemble (Henry Silberstein) Cronie/Ensemble (Alex McCully), Caryatid/Ebnsemble (Emma Kimble) Silly Girls (Sarah Decker, Tessa Gori, Grace DeBeus, Genevive Pilat), Eggman/Ensemble (Gavin Bermingham), Aristo Lady/Ensemble (Noelle Vallario), Candle Man/Ensemble (Emma McNamara), Hat Seller/Ensemble (Owen Welsh), Lady with Baby/Ensemble (Kelly Pulkstenis), Fish Man/Ensembe (Skyler Tomlin), Milkmaid (Eliza Halteman).
Tickets are $15 for students and seniors and $20 for adults if reserved or purchased prior to the show. All tickets are $25 at the door. To reserve or purchase tickets, contact 973-512-8251 or visit dramageekstudios.com. The Performing Arts Center at Sussex Community College is located at 1 College Hill Road, Newton, NJ.
Drama Geek Studios is the official community theater at the Performing Arts Center at Sussex County Community College. It is a non-profit, community theater located in Newton and a fun, interactive learning environment centered around the performing arts. Drama Geek Studios firmly believes that by developing creativity, fostering individuality and allowing inspiration to be pursued, we become more productive people. The studio offers an opportunity for people young and old to come to the studio, take a class or two, have some fun and “get geeky.” Drama Geek Studios also has a community theater where anybody with an interest in live theater can audition and participate without a participation fee. Drama Geek Studios holds theater classes located at 13 Washington Street in Newton. For further information about classes and upcoming performances and auditions, visit dramageekstudios.com or call 973-512-8251.