This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Two Paws Up For Beauty and the Beast!

Malverne resident and Patch blogger Sean Brennan reviews the smash hit Malverne High School production of Beauty and the Beast.

On Saturday afternoon, I made the long three-block walk over to the theatre at  on Ocean Avenue in Malverne to catch the afternoon performance of Beauty and the Beast.  If you haven't seen a Malverne High School musical, you are missing out big time!  These kids put their heart and soul into their work, and Directors Kenny Zagare and Rachel Trevor spend countless hours preparing them for the job!

Storming the castle in the lead roles of Belle and the Beast were Samantha "Sami" Henry and Ashanti Graham, who each amazed everyone in attendance with their incredibly beautiful singing voices and perfect stage presence. 

Last year I wrote of Ashanti Graham in Seussical that he "succeeded in capturing the audience's collective heart with an extremely tender and beautiful portrayal of Horton as the sweet and loving elephant".  Back as a creature of a different kind this time, Ashanti, a sweet-voiced junior, proved how ferocious he can be as well.  His "Beast" was scary and powerful, troubled and deep-voiced when we first met him.  As the show progressed, I saw more and more of the sweeter side, culminating in a beautiful, tears-down-my-face moment of theatre magic when Belle and Beast finally kiss.

And what can I say about Samantha Henry as Belle without using words like beautiful, magical, and heavenly?!  Her performance was stunning, lifted in the clouds by a voice that just calls out to be heard.  Last year she was hysterical as Gertrude in Seussical, so it was graduation day to see her carry the show so perfectly this past weekend.  If I didn't know she was a high school junior, I would have searched my Playbill to see if she was on loan by permission of Actor's Equity. That's how great she was! 

Both of our stars are still in their third year at Malverne High School, so make sure you catch them one more time in next year's show!  But a few more names must also be shouted with praise. 

First, the boy who stole the show: the incredibly talented Zachary St. John.  I cannot tell you how impressed I am by this kid, who was fantastic last year as The Cat In The Hat, and rocked the comedy again this year as Lumiere.  He told me after the show that he doesn't plan to continue acting as a career, that this is his last show.  PLEASE, somebody convince him this is a mistake!  You simply do not throw away a talent like that!  Zach, I wish you all the best in whatever path you choose, but please re-consider!

Jahlil Burke is one of the most popular MHS students as Senior Class President, but as the equally popular Gaston, he made us dislike him too--no easy feat for a likable guy!  Sochima Udedibia was so lovable as Mrs. Potts!  I just wanted to hug her!  Great job!  And her "son", played by Anthony Austin, was so, so adorable as Chip!  Nicholas St. John was great in his theatrical debut as Cogsworth, and said he's "excited to finally be on the stage instead of in the audience".  Rounding out those featured enchanted characters were Rayven Mason as Babette, who brought so much depth to a really funny character, and Christina Penna as Madame de la Grande Bouche (The Wardrobe), who made us all laugh as the "Big Mouth" of the bunch.

I sincerely regret that I cannot champion everyone individually, but a bravo for a job really well done to the rest of the featured cast: Isaiah Matthews, Amanda Witowski, Isaiah Babb, Tyler Michaels, Alejandro Lopez, Romina Pardo-Cardenas, Kayisha Ulysse, Matthew Sandoval, and Kyle Meekins.  Great job all!

And I wouldn't be a good friend if I didn't mention my favorite Who and favorite Spoon this year, Megan Malone.  You shined once again kidda, and I'm so proud of you!  Keep on knockin' em dead!

The sets and costumes were once again incredible.  Whatever budget is spent on this work is well worth it and really makes an incredible impact.  My only criticism would be toward the audio, which though completely fine for the leads, was lacking for the ensemble.  I could tell from my mid-theatre seat that they were singing very well too, but some enhanced audio would be a great help for future productions.  I think a lot of us should work to get some fundraising going for that!

Overall, another home run for Malverne High School's Thespian Troupe 4419!  All of Malverne and beyond should attend their annual production, as it's always SO GREAT!  Bravo to everyone involved for bringing such awesome live theatre to Malverne!

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?