This is Act 2 of the Butler Dance Club's Fall 2024 ballet: Beauty and the Beast
Act 1:
An arrogant young prince and his castle's servants fall under the spell of a wicked enchantress, who turns him into the hideous Beast to be ruled by the Rose’s timeline until he learns to love and be loved in return. The spirited and headstrong village girl Belle enters the Beast's castle after he imprisons her father Maurice, led by his frightened steed Philippa. Belle offers herself in exchange for her father’s freedom, becoming the Beast’s prisoner until her demise. While in the village, Gaston wallows in self-pity after his failed marriage proposal to Belle, and Le Fou reaffirms his masculinity. The lively castle staff - including a bubbly Lumiere, stubborn Cogsworth, pleasant Plumette, matronly Mrs. Potts, curious Chip, loyal Otta, and operatic Armoire - help Belle feel at home in the castle.
Act 2:
As the days go on, the Rose loses more and more petals - soon to doom the Beast and his castle staff to remain trapped under the curse for all of time. Despite Lumiere and Cogsworth’s pleas, Belle explores the castle more and stumbles upon the Rose in the Beast’s wing. Just as she is about to reach for the Rose, the Beast finds her and scares her away. Belle runs to the forest where she meets a pack of ravenous wolves - the Beast saves her though he does not leave unscathed. Winter comes and the Staff watches as Belle begins to draw some warmth out of the Beast’s cold heart. Realizing he is in love, the Beast releases Belle to be with her father who has been hospitalized by Gaston and the villagers. She shows Gaston the Beast in an attempt to prove her father’s sanity. Gaston locks her up too and gathers a mob to kill the Beast. Chip rescues Belle and Maurice and returns to the castle to defend their home. Belle finds the Beast in his demise and confesses her love for him, breaking the curse and living happily ever after.
Director: Anna Gritzenbach
Choreographers: Kat Freeman and Anna Gritzenbach
Assistant Director: Tessa Specchio
Cast:
Sarah Stavnes as Belle
Robert Bowen as Beast
Ainsley Glenn as Gaston
Kendall Johnson as Lumiere
Tessa Specchio as Cogsworth
Oli Barnett as Maurice
Annie Weaver as Mrs. Potts
Ella Wheeler as Plumette
Bella VanMeter as Le Fou
Lauren Offenbacker as Chip
Kaitlyn Schroeder as The Rose
Maddie Hurst as Sorceress
Kat Freeman as Armoire
Kimberly Phelps as Asylum Keeper
Christina Whisman as Otta
Cate Pugliese as Philippa
Racha Wakim as Claudette
Jillian Norris as Laurette
Caitlin Ryan as Paulette
Olivia Nowowiejska as Lead Wolf
Marlaina Jack as Lead Rose Petal
Marissa Hugget as Lead Rose Petal
Corps de Ballet: Addie Dobry, Bella Meier, Emily Simon, Emma Lammert, Hannah Bokal, Lauren Fischer, Seven Gulotta, and Tessa Hamilton
Stage Manager: Anna Gritzenbach
Backstage Hands: Carleigh Olive, Skylar Ashcraft, Tricia Conway, Kaylee Walker, Fernando Ortiz, Ali Trueblood, and Riley Cleveland
Photographer: Chelsea Copeland
Videographer: Jonathan Wang
Special Thanks to the Crew of Shelton Auditorium