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During a run-through practice of the play ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ Felesia Buczynski, who plays the feather duster, admires Kirk Hudson, who is cast as Belle’s father Maurice.
“I just love the story,” Martin explained during a break in rehearsals earlier this week. “I think of it as a family-oriented show that you can bring children and adults too, and everyone will enjoy it.”
According to Martin, she and her cast have put “tons” of manhours into bringing the magic to life, eight weeks to be exact.
“It’s a hard because everyone has a variety of roles, so every role is important. You’re going to see a lot of people,” Martin conveyed about the large cast.
One of those “important roles” is the Beast, played by Gary S. Wilson, who is no stranger to drama or theater productions.
According to Wilson, he has been cast in 19 roles just for Sampson Community Theatre, alone; however, he noted that the role of the beast allows him to use his “powerful voice.”
“This role just comes naturally, and having a real powerful voice comes in handy on stage,” he stated.
Wilson also revealed that adapting to his character is “coming along real good.”
Clinton attorney Alison Bradshaw plays another key character, that of the Beast’s love interest, Belle.
“I love it,” Bradshaw exclaimed. “It is a lot of fun, and a lot of singing. The lines are probably the easiest part, but the magic of the play is the songs and dances.”
“These plays are really so much fun because you get to leave work and become someone completely different. There are high school students, college kids and adults ... you really get to know a variety of people.”
Although Bradshaw said being cast for Belle “is so much fun,” she revealed that her favorite part is the infamous yellow ball gown.
“That’s my favorite part. Every girl wants to be a Disney princess,” she cooed.
The evil villain Gaston, who is a sexist, chauvinistic hunter that wants to marry Belle, is played by Josh Owens.
After working with the part he initially auditioned for, Owens said he “loves it.”
Owens also added that although a lot of work goes into the performance, he knows that it will be worth it in the end.
Another villainous role, Monsieur D'Arque, was described as a “creepy” asylum runner who was hired to kill Belle’s father and is portrayed by actor Jack Bate.
Although this is Bate’s first role as a villain, he said it is coming along great.
“It is always fun to play a villain,” he said.
For those familiar with the movie or play, the magical teapot, cup, feather duster, clock and wardrobe that come to life are very much a part of Martin’s reenactment.
Mrs. Potts, played by both Kathy Day and Ursula Herring, was originally one of the prince’s servants, much as the other appliances, until an evil sorceress put a spell on everyone, turning her into a teapot.
Herring, a professional singer for 48 years and a board member to the theater, stated that although she has never seen the movie or play, learning it all from scratch “is fun and very different.”
Garrett Whipkey, who is also no stranger to productions, was cast as Cogsworth, the prince’s butler who was transformed into a clock.
“He is a very tightly wound mantel clock,” Whipkey illustrated, adding that he is the head of the household and keeps everyone in order.
According to Whipkey, he will be dressed like a clock for the performance. In a description of the costume, he said there will be a pendulum in the front and he will have a mustache stretched out across his face to symbolize the hands of the clock.
“I never imagined I would have enjoyed playing a clock so much,” Whipkey laughed.
Among the many roles in the play, Ruth Ann Parker plays the Wardrobe; Olivia Sessoms is Chip the teacup; Felesia Buczynski plays Babet the feather duster, Guy Padgett was cast for Lefou; Anthony Sessoms is the bookseller; Frank Bradshaw will play the prince; and Kirk Hudson plays Maurice, Belle’s father.
Also included in the listed variety of roles are village people/wolves/silly girls, Melanie Maxwell, Ashley Hartson, Jessica Watts and Emily Bass.
The “Beauty and the Beast” will hit the Sampson Community Theatre stage for evening performances on May 1, 2, 8 and 9 at 8 p.m. Matinees are scheduled for May 3 and 10 at 3 p.m.
For more information on the play contact the theater at 592-8656.
Jessica Wagner can be contacted at 910-592-8137 ext.122 or reached by e-mail at siphoto@myclintonnc.com
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