Performance of 'Beauty and the Beast' Gets Standing Ovation at Fox Lane

Last night the Fox Lane Players performed Disney's well-known "Beauty and the Beast" in front of an audience of about 400 people at the Mary Lou Meese Theater at Fox Lane High School.

The auditorium became alive as the utensils, furniture, clocks and pots turned from inanimate objects into humans. At one point, the enchanted objects made their way down to the stage while singing and walking by the audience. Adults and kids smiled and turned their heads from one side to another in awe of the surprise arrival.

Mitch Barr's son smiled with pride and joy as his son Michael, a freshman in the role of an enchanted whisk, walked by.

"Fox Lane puts on great shows," he said. "They're very professional."

Ed Steele, with 35 years experience in professional theatre directed the show. He has been at the school for five years teaching performing arts, play writing, criticism, public speaking, creative writing and world mythology. This is his 10th show with the Fox Lane Players.

He decided to put on "Beauty and the Beast" because of its popularity.

"I try to do things that are different for the kids but every three or four years I want to do a show that is in the popular milieu, that all the kids want to do, that they love to do," he said.

The show also appeals to a younger audience, which gives children a chance to see a live performance.

"Putting younger people in the seats invigorates the kids on the stage," Steele said. "It turns them into a different kind of performers."

Tracy Stein brought her three children, who attend Seven Bridges Middle School in the Chappaqua school district because of their interest and involvement in theater at their district.

"The performers were excellent," she said. "The choreography by the students was amazing. They did a really impressive job."

For the first time in five years, students choreographed the performance. Steele said Christine Maroti thought a long time before she accepted his offer to choreograph the musical along with assistant choreographer Jessica Fox.

"She is an elite dancer," he said.

"I'm so proud of [Christine]," Lauren Bambino said. "The girl is brilliant."

Bambino, who was involved in theatre before graduating from Fox Lane High School last year, came back over her spring break to help with the performances.

"I think people can expect the same high energy production the players are known for," she said. "The cast is enthusiastic. These guys love what they do and it's showing."

Senior Alexia Zarras, in the role of Belle, said she shares her character's passion for life. Zarras has been acting since 7th grade and has been in eight or nine shows since then.

"I like stepping out of my boundaries and becoming a different person," she said.

Junior Sophia Firestein, in the role of Wardrobe, loves singing and being able to step into the character's head.

Junior Alison Tai, light board operator, has been involved with the Players since 8th grade and has done more than 15 shows since then.

The best part of her experience is the people and being around them, she said.

Senior Alexis Ebers, in the role of Mrs. Potts, has been "hooked" into acting since kindergarten when she played Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz."

Anne Steele, like her husband, has been in the theatre business for years. She was on "Rumors" on Broadway in the 1980s and currently owns a voice over studio where she does freelance work from home. Backstage, she helped the students with their makeup and was in charge of more than 27 wigs.

Transforming the actors into their characters was a challenge, because the characters had to live up to the audience's expectations of looking a certain way, she said.

Prior to the production, Anne Steele had to do some research on makeup, and for the first time she had to do facial hair for actor Dan Arboleta's character, the Beast. Student Billy James' character Maurice was also a bit of a challenge since his wig was made of real human hair, but she made it work.

The real transformations happened when the students put on their costumes and walked into their character's shoes.

All 130 costumes were rented from professional costume designer Peter Mussared.

Although students said some of the sacrifices they have done to be in the show is the time commitment and doing homework late, they say their experiences have been great and worth it.

"When you really put in the time and the work, that's when it's the most fun," Anne Steele said. "You get to leave all the homework behind and play."

"Anyone who knows this district knows that the arts are integral to the learning process of every kid," Ed Steele said.

But he realizes that not every student will pursue acting in the future. The Fox Lane Players has been funding college scholarships to seniors who have been actively involved with the program. Some former students also pitch in for the scholarship fund.

"The time they spend onstage and the time they spend backstage is sweat equity in a program they believe in and we give them a little bit to send them on their way," he said.

"There is not a darn thing that I do that isn't rewarding," Steele said about his work as a director. "At my age I could retire, but I don't want to.

More performances will be held today at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday at 2 p.m.