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By JANET COOK
News staff writer
November 8, 2006
“Just when you think Mark Steighner and
the music department at Hood River Valley High School have pulled off
their most elaborate fall musical production (think “Les Miserables”
and “Carousel”), they’re back with another that seems even grander.
This year is no exception. Nearly 80 students take to the stage in
Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” which features some of the most
elaborate costumes, set design and choreography to grace the stage at
the HRVHS Bowe Theater.
Mrs. Potts, played by Lauren Hay, and Chip,
played by Jacob Mears.
“The only other show that had a larger
cast was ‘The King and I,’ and that was mostly a lot of younger
children who were only on stage for a scene or two,” Steighner said.
Steighner has had his eye on producing “Beauty and the Beast” since it
was released three years ago for school and amateur productions. He
felt this was the year to do it given his potential cast and their
talents.
Teddy Meyer as Lumiere.
“Musically, this show isn’t as difficult
as some shows,” Steighner said. “But in many ways it presents a
greater challenge to students’ acting abilities than some musicals,
because they are playing fantastical characters that were originally
cartoon figures.”
When choosing to produce a show, Steighner always asks himself what it
is about it that catches his attention, emotions or curiosity.
“Since I will be involved in planning and direction for over eight
months, it has to be something that I personally find compelling,” he
said. “When I listen to a recording of the show, or see it live, or
read it, there has to be at least one moment that I find genuine,
real, and emotionally profound.”
Belle and her father, Maurice, played by
Kory Harding.
In “Beauty and the Beast,” that moment
comes in a scene when Belle (the Beauty) is reading to the Beast,
trying to “break through to him emotionally,” Steighner said.
“It is really a very interesting and beautiful scene,” he said. In the
scene, the Enchanted Objects watch with anticipation, hoping that they
will become human again.
“In other words, when the Beast discovers his humanity, the other
objects will be granted theirs,” Steighner said. “I think that this
scene can be read metaphorically — when the ruler rules with
gentleness, imagination and humanity, the subjects and citizens are
likewise more civilized.
Some of the Enchanted Objects
dance.
“I’m not saying there is a political
subtext intentionally,” he added. “But good stories always lend
themselves to a variety of interpretations.”
Steighner said this show will probably be the “most expensive and
lavish production ever.” Most of the costumes were rented from
Westview High School in Beaverton.
Gaston, played by Kenan Heppe, espouses
his virtues.
“However, we have an amazing team of
costume helpers, headed by Kellie Wade, who have sewn and created a
number of dresses and costumes to supplement or replace the Westview
costumes,” Steighner said. “They have been working non-stop since
August on this project.”
In addition, the equally elaborate set was built by parent volunteers
over the course of many weekends, according to Steighner.
“That having been said, all of the costumes and scenery amount to
nothing if the actors and singers aren’t doing a great job,” he said.
“We have some amazing singers in the show.”
An additional “challenge” with this show was that Steighner had to
stay close to the script, rather than interpreting certain scenes and
meanings creatively as he has done in past productions.
“When you license a Disney show, you contractually must agree to stay
pretty close to the original concept and intent,” Steighner said.
“They are very protective of their intellectual property and image.”
Steighner said that some Disney productions staged by amateur and
school theater departments have had Disney representatives monitoring
them.
“This may happen here, too,” he said. If it does, the Disney people
surely won’t be disappointed. Neither will audiences.
“The biggest reward of the musical has been the outpouring of help and
support by a number of dedicated parents — painting, building, sewing,
playing in the orchestra, supervising make-up and costumes,” Steighner
said. “Shows of this scale would be impossible without that kind of
team effort. I think that’s great because it involves lots of
different people in the school in a really positive, goal-oriented
way.”
Makes you wonder what they’ll pull off next.
“Beauty and the Beast” runs Nov. 10, 11, 12, 16, 17 and 18 at 7 p.m.
Matinee performances are at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 11, 12 and 18. Tickets
are $8 for adults, $5 for students and children, and are available at
Waucoma Bookstore. A limited number are available at the door. |
