AUDITIONS YIELD STRONG CAST FOR MUSICAL `BEAUTY'.Byline: - Daily News PALMDALE - Competition was fierce for the top roles in Desert Opera Theatre's production of Disney's musical version of ``Beauty and the Beast Beauty and the Beast is a traditional fairy tale (type 425C -- search for a lost husband -- in the Aarne-Thompson classification). The first published version of the fairy tale was a meandering rendition by Madame Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, published in .'' Over 160 actors auditioned for the 15 lead roles, with 58 local community actors eventually cast in the production, which opens tonight at the Palmdale Playhouse. ``We were actually able to pick the cream of the crop in talent,'' said director April Davis. ``You won't wonder why they are on stage. They are perfect for the roles they're in.'' Rehearsing since October, the actors impressed Davis from the beginning. Shea Dittman, who plays Lumiere, had his lines memorized by the first rehearsal, much to the amazement of Davis. Jessica Pardon also impressed Davis with her vocal ability as the heroine Belle. ``She has this voice that is absolutely stunning and she has great control over it,'' said Davis. Other leads in the play include Ricco Fajardo as The Beast; Joe Montgomery Joe Montgomery (born June 8, 1976 in Robbins, Illinois) is a former professional American football running back for three seasons in the NFL for the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers. He played college football at Ohio State University. as Gaston; Jessica Taylor-Purse as Babette; Gerry Kent as Maurice; Mikael Miller as Cogsworth; Renee Martin-Cleek as Mrs. Pots; and Tyler Arial as Chip. The costumes are being provided by Daisy's Costumes in Lancaster. Davis has been involved in Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley theater productions since 1995, mostly on stage. She appeared in ``Nunsense,'' ``South Pacific,'' ``A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,'' ``The Importance of Being Earnest,'' ``The Secret Garden,'' and ``The Odd Couple.'' She directed ``The Adventures of Lewis and Clark'' musical for Palmdale Repertory Theater and when she was a music and drama consultant for Palmdale School District The Palmdale School District is a school district that serves a major part of the city of Palmdale, California (USA). The Palmdale School District was first formed in 1888. Approximately 28,000 students are enrolled in the Palmdale School District. she was musical director of ``The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'' for Tumbleweed tumbleweed, any of several plants, particularly abundant in prairie and steppe regions, that commonly break from their roots at maturity and, drying into a rounded tangle of light, stiff branches, roll before the wind, covering long distances and scattering seed as Elementary School elementary school: see school. . A mother of five, Davis is now attending Chapman University Chapman University is a private, nonprofit university located in the city of Orange in Orange County, California, USA. Mission statement The mission of Chapman University is to provide personalized education of distinction that leads to inquiring, ethical and productive College to earn a multiple-subject teaching credential. The musical will be performed at the Playhouse at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday and 8 p.m. Feb. 17 and 18 and 2 p.m. Feb. 19. Sunday's show was almost sold out as of Thursday afternoon, Playhouse officials said.. Tickets are $20 for adults and $16 for students, seniors age 55 and older, and children age 12 and younger at the Playhouse, 38334 10th St. E. For tickets or more information call the Playhouse box office at (661) 267-5685. Box office hours office hours, n.pl See business hours. are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and two hours prior to showtimes. |
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