On November 21 to 23, this year’s WHS Theater Company’s (T.Co.) fall production will be “Beauty and the Beast,” marking the first time WHS has performed a Disney play in 10 years.

   “I’m very excited about this play. I definitely think it’s going to be one of the most attended we’ve ever had simply because everyone knows ‘Beauty and the Beast,’” said Anne Issacs, drama director.

   Issacs chose to present “Beauty and the Beast” now due to a Broadway production starting soon, which will make it impossible for regional theater groups to produce the same show after Christmas. It also allows for a large cast because of the need for an extensive ensemble in many scenes. 

   Many freshmen auditioned for the musical this year, and all received a role in it, but one freshman, Anderson Chu, has landed the lead role of the beast.  

   “It’s kind of overwhelming. I didn’t expect it,” said Chu. “I have to act out this conflicted character who’s a dictator but also is just a hurt boy.”

   It’s not only freshmen who have passion in theater. Saavani Datta, senior and vice president of T.Co’s technical theater department, is thinking of pursuing a career in theater for college.

   “It’s really just opened up a new world for me where I’m able to do so much more,” said Datta. “I think [that’s] what I really really love about it.” 

   Normally, school productions run on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, but “Beauty and the Beast” has added a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee due to the large number of young children who may be interested and cannot make the 7 p.m. showings.

   “I’m hoping, especially because we have four performances, we’re going to really see a big turnout in ways that we haven’t seen for shows we’ve done here in a long time,” said Isaacs.