`Beauty and the Beast' set to prowl Auburn High stage.

Byline: Ellie Oleson

AUBURN -A magical "tale as old as time" will be brought to life by a talented cast of teens performing Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" at p.m. Nov.20 and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Nov. 21 in the Auburn High School auditorium.

Disney's timeless musical production, first released as a cartoon movie in 1991, tells the story of Belle, a beautiful French girl, the daughter of a baker, whose love for a hideous beast frees prince and all those in his enchanted castle from a spell, returning them to their human forms.

Strikingly handsome Shaheen A. Adelinia, 16, plays the princely Beast with a strong baritone voice and large, hairy costume.

"I love being the beast," Shaheen said.

He creates a perfect foil for pretty and petite Elizabeth A. Cook, who performs Belle's songs with a delicate, pure soprano.

"Being Belle is a dream come true," Elizabeth said.

Tim J. McConville is the boastful and villainous Gaston, who nearly always appears with his partner in crime, Lefou, played by Zachary L. Whitney.

The pair said they have been cast as the bad guys in several plays. "I'm a nice guy in real life, but it's fun to be an arrogant, controlling, egotistical villain," Tim said with a grin.

"I'm always the evil sidekick who works to outdo the villain. It's fun. We work well together," Zachary said.

Most of the cast members play humans transformed into furniture, fixtures and dishes.

Natural comic Andrew Carr is outstanding as Lumiere, the deliciously over-the-top French valet-turned-candlestick.

Other scene-stealers include the very talented Caroline Geeze as Mrs. Potts, the motherly singing teapot; Taylor M. Carver as Chip, the sprightly teacup; and Alexa Hebard as the tightly wound Cogsworth the clock.

Taylor, a freshman, said she was intimidated at first by all the upperclassmen in the show. "Now, I just feel so loved by everyone. It's comforting to know all of them on- and off-stage," she said.

Maura E. Looney, 16, a chorus member who plays a spoon, a wolf and a townswoman, said, "I love doing this. Who doesn't love Disney?"

Seniors Michael L. Fulginiti and Eric S. Grady are in charge of lighting for the production, so have a unique view of every rehearsal.

"Liz and Shaheen are great," Michael said.

"Mrs. Potts' voice is amazing," Eric said.

On stage are fantastic sets and costumes, some borrowed or rented and others created at the school.

Directing the production is Natalie Layte, an English teacher at Auburn High, where she has directed plays for four years.

She said, "The leads are very committed. We've been rehearsing since the second week of school. We hope we get a good turnout!"

The Broadway version of "Beauty and the Beast" being performed in Auburn has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton.

Tickets, available at the door for all three shows, are $10 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens.

ART: PHOTOS

PHOTOG: ELLIE OLESON PHOTOS

CUTLINE: (1) Belle, played by Elizabeth A. Cook, Beast, played by Shaheen A. Adelinia, converse as Lumiere, played by Andrew Carr, looks on. (2) Below, the villainous Gaston, played by Tim J. McConville at the far right, and his sidekick Lefou, played by Zachary L. Whitney, plot to destroy the Beast with asylum keeper Madam Dark, played by Jordan Mambert. (3) Belle and the Beast share a serious moment above. (4) At left, Beast contemplates his future. (5) Chip the teacup, above, played by Taylor M. Carver, has her handle adjusted during rehearsal. (6) Members of the cast rehearse.