A Grade 10 student turns a beast into a babe in the Walnut Grove Secondary production of Beauty and the Beast.
Mackenzie Sturn didn鈥檛 expect to get the lead in the show by the school鈥檚 musical theatre department, Theatre in the Grove. It鈥檚 not her first time on stage in a school production but playing the butler in last year鈥檚 Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat is a far cry from the lead.
鈥淚 was really excited,鈥� she said about her reaction to getting the lead female role.
She likes the challenge of playing a character who鈥檚 looking for adventure and romance.
Sturn鈥檚 idea of adventure doesn鈥檛 include continuing in the arts after high school, although she isn鈥檛 prepared to forsake her artistic side entirely.
鈥淚鈥檓 planning on going into the sciences, like to be a doctor,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut I definitely do want to continue doing productions.鈥�
Opposite Sturn is the beast, known offstage as Grade 10 student Jos Portillo.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 expect to get Beast,鈥� he commented.
For both of the young actors, the show, part of the wildly popular Disney portfolio of stage shows, is a chance to deliver a message.
鈥淚 hope people get the message from this that you can find the most precious things in the most uncommon situations,鈥� Portillo said.
For Sturn, it鈥檚 about not judging people solely by appearances.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 within really matters,鈥� she added.
This production runs April 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29 at the school, 8919 Walnut Grove Dr., at 7 p.m. as well as a 2 p.m. matinee April 29.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors, but there鈥檚 two special shows. Tickets for Be Our Guest dinner shows are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors. The April 27 show is pretty much sold out but it鈥檚 also being held April 20. (There are also regular tickets available for the April 20 and 27 shows that do not include dinner.)
Dinner is prepared by students in the ACE IT program, a partnership with Vancouver Community College鈥檚 culinary program. ACE IT allows high school students to receive post-secondary level training in a trade.
The lucky dinner theatre ticketholders will dine starting at 5:30 p.m. with the show at 7 p.m. Find out about tickets at theatreinthegrove.brownpapertickets.com. For information, contact theatreinthegrove@sd35.bc.ca or 604-882-0220 ext. 580.
