Arts & Entertainment

Students Enchant Audience With Disney Classic

Highlights from West Hempstead High School's production of Beauty and the Beast.

The magic of Disney and the splendor of Broadway came together on stage in West Hempstead High School's production of Beauty and the Beast the musical last month.

For three nights in March, the cast brought the enchanted, beautiful and beastly characters of the classic story to life while adding their own signature touches.

April Slamowitz embodied the beautiful and adventurous Belle, looking as if she stepped right out of the animated film and delivering pretty yet powerful vocals. Her chemistry with the repugnant but handsome Gaston, played by Noah Santoro, and the sweet yet temperamental Beast (Amar Benkoukha) was wonderful. The two young men were also superb in the male leads, with Santoro making the audience sneer at the arrogant but dashing Gaston, and Benkoukha revealing the warm-hearted man behind his beastly facade.

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Ozzie Machado and Thomas Marion were spectacular as the comedic duo of Lumiere the candlestick and Cogsworth the clock. (They even sounded just like the characters in the film!) Not to mention, their costumes as well as the wardrobe of the entire cast was extraordinary.

Emily Sarro did not disappoint as Mrs. Pott's, singing the show's most famous song. Her voice was strong and beautiful, and she was ever the motherly presence on stage, both to the adorable Chip, played perfectly by Hayley Bifulco, and her fellow enchanted castle-mates.

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Also adding to the laughs was Frankie LaLuna, who delivered slam-stick comedy in his role as Gaston's sidekick, LeFou, Krysta Ferrara, as the sassy Babette, and Lucia Biscardi, who worked in some jokes specific to the West Hempstead crowd through her portrayal of Madame de la Grand Bouche.

The entire cast lit up the stage with their energy throughout every ensemble number, including the show-stopping performances of "Be Our Guest" and "Gaston," in which they even borrowed some choreography from the Broadway show, clanking metal beer steins together as they danced.

Congratulations to all those involved in the production. To see highlights from the show, watch the video above. 


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