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Written by: Elizabeth Larson

Published: 17 February 2020

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – It’s a “tale as old as time,” and it’s been chosen as the musical that Mountain Vista Middle School will present to the public in its first dramatic production.

“Beauty and the Beast” will take to the stage in six productions between Feb. 21 and March 1.

A cast of more than 20 sixth through eighth grade students, under the direction of teacher Miranda Hobbs, has been practicing for two months for the performances. For 85 percent of the students, it’s their first time performing in a play or musical, Hobbs said.

Hobbs wears many hats, teaching seventh grade English, history, leadership, yearbook and drama. She’s done productions with students in Lake County for 11 years and her experience in dramatic presentations goes back to her childhood.

“It’s always fun to see new talent come out and them discovering themselves on stage,” she said.

What’s extra special about this performance is that this is Mountain Vista Middle School’s first play or musical production, she said.

It’s also the first year of the school’s drama program, which Hobbs said is an elective after school program that meets for an hour and 15 minutes from Tuesday through Friday. It began in September.

She said they’ve been having regular rehearsals in recent weeks that last up to two and a half hours at the Kelseyville High School Student Center, where the production will be held.

On Saturday, Hobbs and her cast members were hard at work on a daylong dress rehearsal, with the students donning ornate and beautiful costumes to bring Beast, Belle and their friends and – in some cases – opponents to bright life on the stage.

There was hair-curling, costume changes, wardrobe malfunctions, tussling with the stage’s large crimson curtain – which Hobbs had to keep reminding students to quit trying to walk through – and the effort to put on the Beast attire, or to dress up as teacups and candles.

Overall, considering that they’re less than a week away from walking out onto the stage before hundreds of audience members, the students appeared in good form and not too stressed, although some acknowledged pre-performance nerves.

“Belle,” played by 14-year-old Emmah Ely, is one of the stars of the production, as she’s the “Beauty” from the title.

Emmah said she’s been in two other productions and has enjoyed meeting and spending time with students that she hadn’t known well before. She’s headed to high school next year.

Taylor Wooldridge, 14, is in her first production. She was dressed up as a wardrobe, or Madame de la Grande Bouche.

Taylor said she loves theater and the story of the play. She also has enjoyed the choreography and being with her fellow “villagers.”

Gaston, the bad guy of the story, is portrayed by 12-year-old Todd Yadon.

Todd, who likes acting, said he previously portrayed the Ghost of Christmas Future in a production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”

Gaston is followed adoringly in the musical by the “Silly Girls,” portrayed by Audrey Alexander, 13, Kylie Jorgenson, 12, and Jordan Neil, 13.

“We’re fangirling over Gaston,” Kylie explained.

It’s their first acting experience for all three, and they said they love the story. Jordin said she wanted the Silly Girl role, which she sees as easier, to get a feel for acting.

Many of the students play multiple roles, such as 11-year-old Elena Grice, whose roles include Narrator No. 1 as well as a milkmaid.

Elena said she’s enjoying herself.

“Some plays are harder than others,” she said.

She knows that because she previously was in a production of “Romeo and Juliet.”

Aliyah Vargas, 12, is Narrator No. 2.

Also a first-time actress, she said it’s a lot of work but she’s enjoying it.

“I like the costumes and everybody here, and it’s just fun,” she said.

Narrator No. 3 is Amari Wyman, 14, who has been in previous productions at other schools. This is her first year at Mountain Vista Middle School.

Ashley Alexander, 12, is “Chip,” the tiny teacup son of Mrs. Potts, and also is an enchantress. But on Saturday afternoon.

“I just love acting,” she said, dressed in her teacup attire.

“It’s more stressful than I thought it would be,” Ashley admitted, explaining she’s nervous about what her parents will think about the performance.

Valeria Rojas, 11, is playing both a spoon and a villager, and she likes the action.

She’s been in talent shows and last year was the narrator in a production of “The Lorax” at Kelseyville Elementary School.

Amaya Calvillo, 11, is Babette, the French maid who also is a feather duster when she’s under the enchantment. She said she loves musicals.

This also is Amaya’s acting debut, and so far, it’s “much more than I expected.” She explained that everyone is very nice, but she was a bit worried about her costume that she said was falling apart a bit, pointing to bits of feather scattered around the stage.

“I’m excited and nervous,” she said, and added that she was concerned that they weren’t quite ready for their stage debut yet.

At that same time, Isaac Wymer, who stars as the Beast, hopped by out of his Beast costume but wearing a crown and acting like a frog.

Turning to look at him over her shoulder, Amaya said, with perfect deadpan delivery, “This is what I mean by not ready,” adding, that they aren’t doing a production of “The Frog Prince.”

Kalysta Waldburger, 14, is in her first production, and joined when her friends did. She’s playing numerous roles – a fisherman, a village, a wolf and a fork.

She said she’s enjoying it, and that it’s been a big project for the year.

Jessica Mulka, 14, is playing both a baker and a knife, a dual challenge she’s having fun doing.

She said she thinks she’ll sign up for next year’s production, which will be voted on later this year. They’re considering either “Cinderella” or “Shrek.”

As for this year’s big show, “I think they will enjoy it,” Jessica said of the audiences who will soon fill the auditorium.

Where and when:

“Beauty and the Beast” will be performed at the Kelseyville High School Student Center, 5480 Main St.

Performances are:

– 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21;
– 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22;
– 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23;
– 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28;
– 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29;
– 2 p.m. Sunday, March 1.

Cost:

$7 for adults
$6 for seniors
$5 for students




Belle: Emmah Ely
Beast: Isaac Wymer
Maurice: Alex Fordham
Gaston: Todd Yadon
Lefou: Hunter Dowdy
Lumiere: Jack Meconi
Cogsworth: Rorie Rodrigues
Mrs. Potts: Aubrey Catalano
Babette: Amaya Calvillo
Madame de la Grande Bouche: Taylor Wooldridge
Enchantress/Chip: Ashley Alexander
Narrators: Amari Wyman, Elena Grice, Aliyah Vargas
Silly Girls: Jordan Neil, Kylie Jorgenson, Audrey Alexander
Chorus/Ensemble: Kalysta Waldburger, Valeria Rojas, Marie Parlet, Jessica Mulka

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.