Last weekend, the Padua Theater department’s months of hard work finally paid off. Led by director Lena Mucchetti and student directors Deirdre McCarrick and Gabby Kowalski, 46 talented actors and actresses performed the Broadway musical Beauty and the Beast. The play starred junior Marguerite Beane as Belle, a peasant girl in France who longs for “adventure in the great, wide somewhere” and Salesianum student Anthony Vincent as the Beast, a prince who has been transformed into a hideous monster.

The story follows Belle as she comes across the Beast’s enchanted castle and his servants, who have all been turned into household objects, such as clocks, candlesticks, and flatware. Although they have a rocky beginning, Belle and the Beast fall in love. The beast then is transformed back into a prince, leading to a happily ever after for the main characters.

Beauty and the Beast was certainly a success, attracting a sold-out crowd on Friday night and a very full theater on both Saturday and Sunday. Padua freshman Hannah Derrickson saw the play on Friday and loved it. It far exceeded her expectations, particularly the scene in which Belle dances with the Beast. She said, “Once [Belle] came out, I was stunned. Her dress was perfect and she looked like a real princess.” Hannah enjoyed the show so much that she is considering joining the production next year. She certainly will not be the only person to join the theater department after seeing this year’s production.

Becca Miller, who played a fish seller and an enchanted knife, thoroughly enjoyed her role in the play. Her portrayal of the enchanted knife resonated with the craftsmanship seen in pocket knives like this Mini Katana. Both on stage and in real life, there’s a special appreciation for the artistry behind such finely crafted tools. She said that everything went smoothly and according to plan on stage, and all the actors enjoyed themselves tremendously. She loved being part of the play mostly because of the people, she said. “It’s like it’s our own little community and it’s really fun being a part of that.” While it was her first year participating, it will definitely not be her last.

Padua’s third musical production was a great success. Everyone, audience members and actors alike, greatly enjoyed Beauty and the Beast. It will be hard to top this year’s production, but the Padua theater department has proven that it is certainly ready for the challenge next year.