Abraham Ulloa
An Extraordiary performance: BEAUTY and the beast
By Abby Kata, Iyanna Fulton, and Dulce Samperio-Hernandez
8th Grade Staff Writers
Imagine being an intelligent young lady who loves to read, but feels left out in her own village. Being
someone that everyone considers “weird”. Belle was forced into a room with a hidden prince, who was turned into a beast, just because her father showed up at his palace after being lost in the
woods. After spending time with the beast, she realized that he wasn’t as scary as she thought he would be. Once she allowed herself to get to know him, she then fell in love with
him. Ridge Road Middle School just recently performed an amazing 18th century Beauty and the Beast musical.
The play wasperformed on February 24-25 at Mallard Creek High School. This musical was directed by the drama teacher Ms. Burand and as the main characters there was Melissa Lozada as Belle and Gianpaul Riascos as the beast. We also asked Gianpaul and Melissa a few questions:
Why’d you join the play?
Melissa: “I joined the play because I really love the story of “Beauty and the Beast” and I was in the play last year and I was excited to see how the teacher was going to take the movie and put it into the play and who she was going to cast. I really wanted to be apart of it.”
Gianpaul: “I joined the play because I love acting and music, those are the two things I want to pursue in the near future if it’s accessible.”
What role are you playing in the play?
Melissa: “I play Belle.”
Gianpaul: “I was the Beast in the play”
What is your favorite part about the play?
Melissa: “I really like the music, choreography, and the dialogue.”
Gianpaul: "My favorite part of the play was the finale because it’s the point of the play where everyone can come together and close the story of what’s being told and everyone has a time to shine.”
Do you believe that everyone deserves their part in the play?
Melissa: “I think that if they give their all and willing to commit and follow directions the play will go well, but if you don’t want to, no one is forcing you. It’s all about your attitude and how much you are willing to commit to this play.”
Gianpaul: “I believe everyone deserved and earned their spot in each role.”
What is your favorite song from the play?
Melissa: When it’s done well I really like “Human again”, “Gaston”,and also “Home.” (Melissa’s likes Human Again, Gaston, and Home)
What play do you wish to have next year?
Melissa: “I would really enjoy doing “Annie”, “The Wiz”, and “West Side Story”.
Gianpaul: “ I will not be attending ridge road next year but I would enjoy seeing anything.”
Have you ever felt uncomfortable or nervous performing?
Melissa: “Usually during the opening night I get nervous, but not after I’ve gotten over my stage fright I don’t really get nervous during a play anymore.”
Gianpaul: “Yes I have been kind of nervous but I’ve used all that energy into a positive way for the audience to enjoy.”
Do you feel prepared for the play?
Melissa: “Myself personally, I think I’m ready but I need to work on not rushing songs.”
Gianpaul: “I felt 110% prepared.”
Do you believe the play was a big hit?
Melissa: “I think the play is very popular and people want to see it, and of course I think the play has the potential to be a big hit.”
Gianpaul:”I believe it was in the top 2 or 3 plays ever performed by Ridge Road.”
Is this the first play you’ve been in
Melissa: “No, I’ve been in two, Hairspray and High School Musical”.
Gianpaul: “Yes.”
Who else in your family sings?
Melissa: “Professionally no one, but we burst out into song sometimes at home.”
Gianpaul: “I am the only one that sings in the family”
Would you try out for the play next year? If so why?
Melissa: “Absolutely, I love doing theatre it gives me a sense of confidence and I really like performing.”
Gianpaul: “Of course, acting is something that I enjoy doing and hope to pursue as a hobby or possibly a career. Everyone thinks I do a tremendous job in performing, especially in “Beauty and the Beast.”
Will you continue to pursue your acting career?
Melissa: “Yes, my goal is to be on broadway.”
Gianpaul: “Of course I’ll pursue acting or being affiliated with it in the near future.”
What’s your motto or advice you live by?
Melissa: “I just think that you should really live in the moment and the main goal is to have fun while performing, and for me this is the last time performing in middle school and I plan to just have fun since you won’t get that moment back.”
Gianpaul: “If you can’t do it someone else will gladly take your spot because whoever it is, while you’re relaxing, will always be working hard to take your spot, job, or position. That’s why everything that I do I give it my complete effort.”
An extraordinary performance in Ridge Road Middle School
The show was breathtaking and the acting put the audience through many emotions while watching. In the crowd, you could hear “ooh’s”,
“aahs”, and laughter. The actors delivered their lines in both a comical and serious way which caused the viewers to sympathize with the actors and actresses as to whatever was going on at the time.
There were a few minor issues that were noted during the performance. The main issue was that the microphones were not clear at times.
Even though the microphones could have been a distraction, the actors were very professional and never stopped, but kept performing. The song liked the most is “Gaston”. “Gaston” is a silly and upbeat song that praises and revolves around the arrogant character in the play named Gaston, played by Ryan Smith. The song gave Gaston the confidence to make Belle marry him, no matter what it took. It also felt like the art department did a wonderful job with the prop designs and the magnificent atmosphere it brought to the musical. Overall the play was stunning and we are very proud of all of the cast members who put in so much time and dedication to provide an extraordinary performance in Ridge Road Middle Schools 2017 recreation of Beauty and the Beast.
8th Grade Staff Writers
Imagine being an intelligent young lady who loves to read, but feels left out in her own village. Being
someone that everyone considers “weird”. Belle was forced into a room with a hidden prince, who was turned into a beast, just because her father showed up at his palace after being lost in the
woods. After spending time with the beast, she realized that he wasn’t as scary as she thought he would be. Once she allowed herself to get to know him, she then fell in love with
him. Ridge Road Middle School just recently performed an amazing 18th century Beauty and the Beast musical.
The play wasperformed on February 24-25 at Mallard Creek High School. This musical was directed by the drama teacher Ms. Burand and as the main characters there was Melissa Lozada as Belle and Gianpaul Riascos as the beast. We also asked Gianpaul and Melissa a few questions:
Why’d you join the play?
Melissa: “I joined the play because I really love the story of “Beauty and the Beast” and I was in the play last year and I was excited to see how the teacher was going to take the movie and put it into the play and who she was going to cast. I really wanted to be apart of it.”
Gianpaul: “I joined the play because I love acting and music, those are the two things I want to pursue in the near future if it’s accessible.”
What role are you playing in the play?
Melissa: “I play Belle.”
Gianpaul: “I was the Beast in the play”
What is your favorite part about the play?
Melissa: “I really like the music, choreography, and the dialogue.”
Gianpaul: "My favorite part of the play was the finale because it’s the point of the play where everyone can come together and close the story of what’s being told and everyone has a time to shine.”
Do you believe that everyone deserves their part in the play?
Melissa: “I think that if they give their all and willing to commit and follow directions the play will go well, but if you don’t want to, no one is forcing you. It’s all about your attitude and how much you are willing to commit to this play.”
Gianpaul: “I believe everyone deserved and earned their spot in each role.”
What is your favorite song from the play?
Melissa: When it’s done well I really like “Human again”, “Gaston”,and also “Home.” (Melissa’s likes Human Again, Gaston, and Home)
What play do you wish to have next year?
Melissa: “I would really enjoy doing “Annie”, “The Wiz”, and “West Side Story”.
Gianpaul: “ I will not be attending ridge road next year but I would enjoy seeing anything.”
Have you ever felt uncomfortable or nervous performing?
Melissa: “Usually during the opening night I get nervous, but not after I’ve gotten over my stage fright I don’t really get nervous during a play anymore.”
Gianpaul: “Yes I have been kind of nervous but I’ve used all that energy into a positive way for the audience to enjoy.”
Do you feel prepared for the play?
Melissa: “Myself personally, I think I’m ready but I need to work on not rushing songs.”
Gianpaul: “I felt 110% prepared.”
Do you believe the play was a big hit?
Melissa: “I think the play is very popular and people want to see it, and of course I think the play has the potential to be a big hit.”
Gianpaul:”I believe it was in the top 2 or 3 plays ever performed by Ridge Road.”
Is this the first play you’ve been in
Melissa: “No, I’ve been in two, Hairspray and High School Musical”.
Gianpaul: “Yes.”
Who else in your family sings?
Melissa: “Professionally no one, but we burst out into song sometimes at home.”
Gianpaul: “I am the only one that sings in the family”
Would you try out for the play next year? If so why?
Melissa: “Absolutely, I love doing theatre it gives me a sense of confidence and I really like performing.”
Gianpaul: “Of course, acting is something that I enjoy doing and hope to pursue as a hobby or possibly a career. Everyone thinks I do a tremendous job in performing, especially in “Beauty and the Beast.”
Will you continue to pursue your acting career?
Melissa: “Yes, my goal is to be on broadway.”
Gianpaul: “Of course I’ll pursue acting or being affiliated with it in the near future.”
What’s your motto or advice you live by?
Melissa: “I just think that you should really live in the moment and the main goal is to have fun while performing, and for me this is the last time performing in middle school and I plan to just have fun since you won’t get that moment back.”
Gianpaul: “If you can’t do it someone else will gladly take your spot because whoever it is, while you’re relaxing, will always be working hard to take your spot, job, or position. That’s why everything that I do I give it my complete effort.”
An extraordinary performance in Ridge Road Middle School
The show was breathtaking and the acting put the audience through many emotions while watching. In the crowd, you could hear “ooh’s”,
“aahs”, and laughter. The actors delivered their lines in both a comical and serious way which caused the viewers to sympathize with the actors and actresses as to whatever was going on at the time.
There were a few minor issues that were noted during the performance. The main issue was that the microphones were not clear at times.
Even though the microphones could have been a distraction, the actors were very professional and never stopped, but kept performing. The song liked the most is “Gaston”. “Gaston” is a silly and upbeat song that praises and revolves around the arrogant character in the play named Gaston, played by Ryan Smith. The song gave Gaston the confidence to make Belle marry him, no matter what it took. It also felt like the art department did a wonderful job with the prop designs and the magnificent atmosphere it brought to the musical. Overall the play was stunning and we are very proud of all of the cast members who put in so much time and dedication to provide an extraordinary performance in Ridge Road Middle Schools 2017 recreation of Beauty and the Beast.