By BOBBIE GREEN
The Progress
The opening night performance of the Summer Children’s Program production of Beauty and the Beast at the Virgin Valley Community Theater was more than delightful! It was a smash hit!
The house was packed with family, friends and neighbors who gave hefty applause, hoots and hollers at the kids’ performance. And the audience enthusiasm was well deserved. The cast, crew and directors have just raised the bar for Summer Children’s Theater.
It is not often you attend a play where the cast is just as memorable as the lead characters. It is not often you find such group effort within such a large cast of thirty young people, and they are clearly having a good time. This production featured kids from sixth grade though 12th grade.
Beauty was delightfully played by Leah Wilson. The roaring Beast was played by Konner Peterson. And the irrepressible Gaston was portrayed by AJ Martin.
I know I went to see Beauty and the Beast, but somehow, I left with the same feeling I had after attending the wonderful feel-good Play of Mamma Mia, in Las Vegas. This production of Beauty and the Beast is what I call excellent entertainment and features a cast of WOW!
The only drawback to the performance is out of anyone’s control; that is, until the theater can afford to get a new sound system. The audience, at least in the rear of the theater, missed some beautiful songs and funny lines.
Director Wendy Wolfe Killinger is doing an amazing job along with Choreographer Joy Craig orchestrating the spirited chorus dancers. Mitzi Bender is the Music Director.
Costume designer Rachel Washington and Stage Manager Kristy Lindberg contributed greatly to this production. The cast also built and painted the stage sets.
Killinger and Bender started the Summer Children’s program in Mesquite only two years ago. Their talents are on display with each production they do.
Next week will be the younger children’s turn. The elementary school-aged group will be performing 101 Dalmatians. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets can be purchased online at www.mctnv.com or at the box office on June 23 and 24 from 2:30 -3:30pm or up to one hour before show time.
