Students will bring classic tale to stage

Greenbrier High School students will bring the magic of the classic fairy tale The Beauty and The Beast to the stage when they perform their spring musical.

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The production, based on the Disney version, focuses on the relationship of a young French girl named Belle and the "Beast," a prince who lives in a castle and has been placed under a spell because of his inability to love. The musical was selected by students.

"It's about the struggle between inner beauty and outer beauty," said Greenbrier drama director Steve Hansen. "The introduction of Belle into his life allows him to see that there's more out there that he isn't letting in, and he begins to grow."

The school's production will take place at 7 p.m. on March 5, 6 and 7 in addition to March 12, 13 and 14 in Greenbrier's auditorium.

A character dinner will be held at 5 p.m. on both Saturdays of the production.

"We're doing a catered dinner in the cafeteria," he said. "The characters of the show will be serving and available for pictures, so it's a great time for families to bring their kids."

Both high school students and professional musicians from the area will play in the orchestra, Hansen added.

Tickets cost $5 for students and $8 for adults.

An additional $10 will be charged for guests attending the dinner. Tickets can be purchased at the door or through Hansen.

The musical's cast also are participating in two outreach programs before the school's production. Characters were to perform and greet patients at the Children's Medical Center at the Medical College of Georgia Saturday, and on Feb. 22, cast members will entertain guests prior to the Augusta Symphony's Family Fun concert at 3 p.m. in Augusta State University's Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre.

The show, Hansen said, is beautiful and fun, but he hopes the audience also will appreciate the educational aspect of the story line.

"We're trying to focus on the moral lessons learned from fairy tales as they're presented through the musical," he said. "We're hoping that we kind of emphasize that in our performance."

For information or to purchase tickets, call Hansen at (706) 799-5849.