Hillside Intermediate School

Leo Goncalves and Shaked Chazin are 6th Grade students at the Hillside Intermediate School who had different perspectives about acting.

“I was not a drama person but I decided this year to join the Drama Club at Hillside,” Leo explained. “But it has been surprisingly very enjoyable. I am glad I did. It is more exciting than I had thought.”

Shaked had known what to expect when she became a member of the Drama Club when school started in the fall.

“I was always a drama person,” she said. “I knew that I would like what I am doing.”

Today their skills on stage match their passion.

They have ascended into the leading roles in the Hillside Intermediate School’s upcoming School Play, which is the Disney hit, Beauty and the Beast JR.

The performance will be held on Wednesday, April 2, and Thursday, April 3, in Hillside’s all-purpose room. The curtain will rise at 7 p.m. for each show.

According to the Disney Theatrical Licensing, the play is based on the acclaimed film and Tony®-winning Broadway musical, Beauty and the Beast JR., and tells the story of the bright and beautiful Belle, who yearns to escape her provincial life… and her brute of a suitor, Gaston. However, Belle gets more adventure than she wished for when she becomes a captive in the Beast’s enchanted castle! Dancing flatware, menacing wolves, and singing furniture fill the stage with thrills in this beloved fairy tale about two very different people finding strength in one another and learning how to love.

The role of Belle is played by Shaked and the Beast is portrayed by Leo.

“It has been a lot of fun since we get a lot of support,” Shaked said about her role as well as Leo’s.

The entire student cast and the stage crew have been diligently working after school in the school’s multi-purpose room since December under the support of the three dedicated Hillside Drama Club advisors–Anna O’Brien, Isabella Halligan and Patrick Blood. They receive valuable assistance from Shannon Leff, a student teacher from the music department.

Ms. O’Brien has witnessed tremendous growth from the students on stage as well as behind the stage.

“They have really been coming together this week” Ms. O’Brien revealed during a rehearsal on the afternoon of Friday, March 14. “The crew helps out and everyone is becoming acclimated to the show.”

She also provided a glowing critique that is not an act.

“The kids encourage each other and they like each other,” Ms. O’Brien shared. “The goal is for them to have a positive experience and to continue their friendships.”

Here are the members of the cast and the stage crew.

Beauty and the Beast Cast List

Beauty and the Beast Jr. Crew List