The Queensville Players presents
Disney’s Beauty and The Beast
Based on the smash hit 1991 Disney animated feature and dating back to a late 18th-century classic French fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast tells the story of Belle, a beautiful and intelligent young woman who feels out of place in her provincial French village. When her father is imprisoned in a mysterious castle, Belle’s attempt to rescue him leads to her capture by the Beast, a grisly and fearsome monster, who was long ago trapped in his gruesome form by an enchantress. The only way for the Beast to become human once again is if he learns to love and be loved in return. There is a time limit, too: once a magical rose loses all of its petals, all hope will be lost and he will stay a Beast forever. The Beast’s enchanted household–populated by such beloved characters as Mrs. Potts, Lumiere, Cogsworth, and Chip–watch anxiously as Belle and the Beast grow to understand and befriend one another. Their feelings grow ever deeper as the clock ticks and petals continue to fall off the enchanted rose–will they confess their love for one another before it is too late?
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Book by Linda Woolverton Music by Alan Menken
Arrangements and music by
HOWARED ASMEN AND TIME RICE
Starring
ALYSE SETTEN
HEATHER SEBASTIAN
CARLI KING
THE TEAM
Producer JOHN DUSOMME
Stage Manager TANYA GRIPICH
Costume Design/Seamstress CADINA MEADUS/JACQUELINE HART
Assistant Costume Designers BETH WOOD/HEATHER SEBASTIAN/CHRIS WHITE
Sound JOHN DUSOMME
Props GRACE EAKIN/DAMIEN ALLFORD/BROOKLYN CHENARD/TANYA GRIPICH/CADINA MEADUS
Set Painting/Decorating HEATHER SEBASTIAN
Assistant Choreographer KATIE MCCLURE
Dance Captain ALYSE SETTEN
Set Building JOE DOEDENS/COLIN MELNICHUK/GRACE EAKIN
The Rose GREG WHITTY
Front of House ASHLEY FLEURY
Choreographer
MICHELLE CHARRETTE
Music Director
THEO PAPADAPOULOS
Director
CADINA MEADUS
A Note from the Director
It is with great pleasure that we bring you this beloved Disney Musical Beauty and the Beast. Cadina absolutely loves her job as a Director. She enjoys finding new and old talent, the creativity of character development, and finding ways to make each character memorable. Her work in this show is not limited to directing, as she is also the costume designer, seamstress, set and lighting designer and overseer of all aspects. Her vision is big and yes it’s a lot of work, but nothing brings her greater joy than the smiles on the faces of this wonderful cast, and the joy that this show will bring to you. She would like to say a special thank you to Heather Sebastian for her countless hours of creative artistry on the set, Chris White for creating the Beast’s head and hands and all other wigs, Greg Whitty for creating the Rose, Beth Wood for creating Cogsworth and Chip, Joe Doedens and Colin Melnichuk for set building, the cast members who put in the extra time to help, the props and wardrobe people, and to the Great Team that has worked tirelessly to help bring this show to you -John DuSomme Producer, Michelle Charrette Choreo, Theo Papadopoulos Music, and Tanya Gripich Stage Manager.
YOU GUYS ROCK! Thank you so much!!
–Cadina
Land Acknowledgement
We affirm that we are all treaty people and acknowledge that the Stephen Leacock Theatre is located on the land of the Credit First Nations who are the Chippewas of Beausoleil, Rama, and Georgina Island, our closest neighbour. To honour this agreement we will take up our responsibility to be respectful of their traditions, knowledge and inherent rights as sovereign nations. We will respect their relationship with these lands and recognize that our connection to this land is through the continued relationship with these First Nations, and we acknowledge our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
Special Thanks
The Queensville Players as well as the Cast and Crew of Beauty and The Beast would like to extend special THANK YOUS to the following friends:
Oshawa Little Theatre for the rental of Lumière’s headpiece and hands as well as the Gargoyle’s wings
Michael Carrier for making the set blue prints
Elizabeth Cameron, Cosplay Costume Creator, for creating the Beast’s headpiece
St. Elizabeth Seton Parish Newmarket and The Town of East Gwillimbury for the use of their hall spaces for our rehearsals.
Thank you to Anna Bose for supply of photo services.
A BIG thank you to May Van Mil Doedens for assistance with sewing.
Special Thanks to Kate Ottaway for all of her assistance!
Thank you to Unionville Theater and Marquee Productions for loan of costume pieces.
Dr. Bernie Conway of Bowmanville Smiles Dental Centre, who donated the cost of his time and materials to produce the Beast’s fangs.
Ilan Rosenberg, Stuntman and Stunt coordinator with 30 years experience in the film and TV industry, of Chimera-X Stunts Production Studios
chimera_x.sps@yahoo.com
(416) 895-2749
Performers
Please take a few moments and get to know the performers you will be watching today.
Lauren Blanchard, Belle
Like Belle, Lauren was born and raised in a small provincial town, Keswick. Currently, she resides in Bradford with her boyfriend Mitch and cat (son) Micki.
Lauren has had a love for theatre since she was young, and her inner child is bursting with glee to be a part of her first Disney musical, Beauty and the Beast.
She looks forward to having you, Be Our Guest, for this fabulous show!
Andrew Jackson, Beast & Narrator
Andrew is a professional actor who has worked extensively in television, film, theatre, commercial voice and animation. Mr. Jackson sang in last year’s 40th Anniversary Queensville Players production. He is thrilled to return to Keswick, as the BEAST.
Andrew grew up in Annapolis Valley Nova Scotia, where he developed a love for community theatre. We owe a special thank you to ACTORS EQUITY for allowing Andrew to perform in our production of Beauty and the Beast.
Christopher White, Gaston
Christopher is thrilled to be making his debut with The Queensville Players as Gaston. This has been a bucket list role for many years. Christopher would like to thank the amazing cast and crew for making his first show here such a great experience!
Favourite previous roles include Sir Evelyn Oakley in Anything Goes with EMP, Jerry Lakowski in Full Monty with WCT, Lancelot in Spamalot with SMT, and the Tin Man in Wizard of Oz with SMT.
Christopher would like to thank his parents and partner Marcelo for all their love and support.
Damien Allford, Lefou
Damien has been involved in theatre since he was 9 years old; it is his passion. He has been a part of a few different musicals (in and out of school), his most recent being The Queensville Players’ production of Disney’s High School Musical as Ryan Evans.
Damien is a recent graduate of Arts Huron at Huron Heights Heights Secondary School. He has acted in, directed, and stage-managed for several productions over his high school career.
Damien lives in Keswick. When he is not on stage, or behind the scenes he is serving coffee as a Starbucks barista.
Damien would like to thank his theatre “mumsy”, Karin, for always sticking by his side, and for being such a huge part of his life.
Damien dedicates his performance to the MacHart family.
Gord Annear, Lumiere
Gord started his acting career 20 years ago performing in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat as Reuben and completely fell in love with musical theatre. Gord has also played the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Curly in Oklahoma, Corny Collins in Hairspray, and Sam Carmichael in Mamma Mia.
He has really enjoyed working with the cast and directorial team on The Queensville Players’ Beauty and the Beast.
Gord would like to thank his wife Terry, his three children, Meaghan, Cameron, and Caitie, and his two grandchildren, Annabelle and Aidan for their support.
Doug Hammond, Cogsworth
Doug Hammond is excited to be returning to The Queensville Players for the first time since the dark days of COVID-19 in this magical and iconic production.
Doug has a master’s in choral conducting and actively promotes the value of music and education within his role at Seneca College. He has enjoyed the community theatre stage with various theatre companies in such roles as Angel (Rent); Sky (Mamma Mia); Prince Herbert/Narrator/Not-Dead-Fred (Spamalot); Jack (Into the Woods); David (If/Then); and Scarecrow (The Wizard of Oz).
Karin Simpson, Mrs Potts
Karin is delighted to share this tale as old as time with all of you! She enjoys bringing soup to people both on and off stage, and lots and lots of tea!
Previous roles with The Queensville Players include: Narrator in That Summer Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music, Darlene in Discovering Elvis, and ensemble for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Wizard of Oz.
Karin is the current President, who has also directed, produced, and musically directed several shows with QP. Her most treasured experience occurred recently for High School Musical. She would like to dedicate this show, and her performance to Jon, Stefphanie, Riddick and Rowghan MacHart. She is hosting a benefit concert on Saturday, June 17th for Rowghan at 2PM here at the SLT! The entire QP family hopes you can attend!
Karin hopes you’ll enjoy a nice spot of tea during intermission, and enjoy the show!
Russ Clayton, Maurice
Russ has been in 3 previous QP productions. He played Horton the elephant in Seussical the Musical and directed The Wizard of Oz and Discovering Elvis.
Russ is in a Celtic band named ‘The Flailing Shilaleighs’ and an Elvis tribute band called ‘Wreckroom Elvis.’
Russ thanks his family for always supporting him in his theatric ventures. Enjoy the show!
Alyse Setten, Babette
Alyse is thrilled to be rejoining The Queensville Players, in their production of Beauty and the Beast as Babette!
Living in Barrie but originally from Keswick, Alyse has been an avid part of the GTA’s performing arts community for over 20 years, both as an artist and educator. As an educator, she has had the pleasure of working with amazing companies such as Ovation Performing Arts as a Dance and Theatre Instructor in Richmond Hill and various studios in the GTA.
Alyse’s most recent credits include Columbia in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Mariposa Arts Theatre), Jetsam in The Little Mermaid (SCS Musicals), Thelonius in Shrek The Musical (Marquee Theatre), Margot in Legally Blonde (Anne Shirley Theatre Company), Sharpay Evans in High School Musical (Queensville Players 2010).
When she’s not performing or rehearsing, Alyse can always be found relaxing with a good book, playing with her Frenchie, Otis, or enjoying quality time with her soon-to-be husband, Craig!
Thank you to QP for such an amazing opportunity and to the cast/crew of Beauty and the Beast for making this such an incredibly inclusive and fun production- now please enjoy the TALE AS OLD AS TIME!
Heather Sebastian, Madame Bouche
Heather Sebastian is an artist and teacher who grew up in Newmarket around Fairy Lake. Her studies took her around Ontario, out to BC, off to Germany, and then back to York Region, where she currently teaches Art and English at Keswick High School.
She is a total Beauty and the Beast nerd, which is what brought her to this first foray into theatre.
She lives in Island Grove with her daughter, son, and three cats, and spends most of her time covered in paint at her easel. Please enjoy her artwork, proudly displayed around the lobby. A portion of all proceeds will go to Rowghan MacHart.
Carli King, Chip/Marie
Carli is 10 years old. She was born and raised in Georgina. Her love of acting and singing began at the age of 8. This will be her 3rd role on stage and she is loving every minute in the world of community theatre.
Brooklyn Chenard, Silly Girl/Babette Understudy
Brooklyn Chenard is a young Canadian artist who loves performing. She has performed in Musicals with Moving Art, Drayton entertainment, South Simcoe Theatre, Infinity Arts Productions, Theatre by the Bay, and Talk is Free Theatre. Brooklyn has also performed in virtual performances with Moving Art, Drayton Entertainment, and Kempenfelt Community Players, and danced in the short film Sara Snow and the 7 Dancers by With grace Productions.
Brooklyn also enjoys teaching, choreographing, and writing. She trains several hours a week.
Hope Fleury, Silly Girl/Belle Understudy
Hope Fleury is a 20 year old actress and model from Toronto, Ontario. As a child she worked on numerous ad campaigns, commercial sets, tv sets (Murdoch Mysteries, Rookie Blue, Flashpoint) and movie sets (TMI: City of Bones). As a model, she has travelled to Japan on contracts, and continued to do local commercials and campaigns for companies like L’oreal, Forever 21, and Harlequin (to name a few). Once she turned 17, she pivoted back to her first love: acting. Most recently, Hope played Sharpay in QP’s High School Musical. She loves to sing and perform in front of an audience.
Hope would like to thank Karin Simpson for keeping the QP family alive and beautiful, and for encouraging her to be her best both on and off stage.
Hope would like to dedicate her performance to the MacHart family.
Shannon Kenny, Silly Girl
Shannon is an actor and singer from Newmarket who most recently performed in The Queensville Players’ High School Musical.
She is thrilled to be a part of Beauty and the Beast and to perform alongside this incredibly talented cast. She would like to dedicate her performance to the MacHart family.
Skylar Scavuzzo, Silly Girl
Skylar is from Pefferlaw and is 15 years old. She has been in 5 shows with The Queensville Players: children’s choir ensemble in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Annie in Within and Without, a news reporter named Jay Bird in Honk Jr, Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol, and ensemble in Elf Jr.
Skylar absolutely loves working with The Queensville Players, along with all of the cast and crew members of this show. Beauty and The Beast has been her favourite Disney movie so as soon as she heard they were taking auditions she knew she wanted to be a part of this show!
Skylar is so excited to be playing the part of a silly girl!
Bryce Hilton, Monsignor D'Arque/Bookseller/Cronie
Meet Bryce, a talented and driven young actor with a passion for the craft. Bryce has been pursuing acting for a number of years and has already gained some valuable experience in the theatre community.
Recent credits include High School Musical, as “Zeke”, a lead role in Elf Jr. as “Michael”, and his debut in Honk Jr. as “Eggbert”.
In addition to his performances on stage, Bryce has also made an appearance as “Kyle” in a Commercial for Spinmaster Toys’ “Dragamonz” Cards on You Tube. Bryce’s versatility as an actor is demonstrated by his ability to seamlessly transition between mediums, delivering compelling performances in both theatre and television production.
Bryce keeps the MacHart family in his heart everywhere he goes, and would like to dedicate his performance to them. He hopes you will keep them in your thoughts as well.
Andrew Staples, The Prince
Andrew is from Aurora and this is his first production. When Andrew was younger he had his first exposure to dancing on stage doing ballroom dancing. He is currently part of his church services where he plays guitar and sings with other members – it has been a great joy!
Andrew looks forward to this production and watching the audience enjoy the hardwork the entire cast has put into it!
Alex Sampson, Man Door/Candlemaker/Ensemble/Cronie/Prince for School Shows
Alex has been in 2 other musicals with The Queensville Players: Honk Jr playing the goose and the turkey, and Elf Jr as ensemble.
Alex is an avid follower of all things SPACE-X, and is a Flight Corporal in the Royal Canadian 140 Air Cadets of Aurora. He has experience flying Sesna airplanes, and looks forward to many more opportunities to take flight!
Alex has had a lot of fun being a part of this musical and hopes to be a part of many more!
Emma Cullum, Ensemble/Carpet
Emma-Leigh is new to the world of Musical Theatre. She is very excited to be playing in the ensemble of this amazing production alongside her big sister, Hope. She has recently played roles in TV and film and hopes to continue on that path.
Emma-Leigh would like to thank her parents and siblings for helping her on this journey.
Colin Melnichuk, Fish Man/Tavern Master
The guy who is unceremoniously relegated to banging sets together in the basement, joined The Queensville Players as one of our talented set builders. As is often the way with community theatre, Colin soon after found himself on the very same set he built as one of the ensemble members!
He hopes you will enjoy the visual beauty in this beast of a show!
Beth Jones, Ensemble/Lady with Cane
Bonjour! Beth has been with the Queensville Players since 2014, being on stage in shows like The Sound of Music, Wizard of Oz, and Into the Woods. Beth has also been privileged to work as a Stage Manager, Assistant Director, and photographer in Honk jr, Anne of Green Gables, and most recently High School Musical.
Beth has been moved by how quickly and how close this cast has gotten in the short 3 months of rehearsing, and she believes that these relationships are at the heart of what community theatre is. In keeping with that sentiment, Beth would like to dedicate her performances to the MacHart family who will forever be in her heart.
Carolynn Kent, Ensemble/Baker
Carolynn is thrilled to be performing with the Queensville Players again. She started her theatre journey with QP over 8 years ago, and is happy to be returning “home” for this exciting production of Beauty and the Beast.
Gilaine Waterbury, Ensemble/Laundry Lady/spoken lines for Sausage Girl
Past Roles with Ryleepuss Productions: Rosie (Mamma Mia);Ensemble (The Sound of Music);The Rose Seller/Ensemble (Oliver); Ensemble (Music Man); Ensemble (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat);Ensemble (A Midsummer Night’s Dream).
Elsewhere: Ensemble (Mamma Mia – Scugog Choral Society).
Gilaine lives in Uxbridge and is grateful to live in an area that supports the arts so fervently. When Gilaine is not performing in a musical, you will find her on
the tennis courts.
Grace Eakin, Ensemble/Sausage Girl/Cutlery
Grace started in theatre in high school plays. She continued acting in Los Angeles and Orange County. Her interests included working on the production end of television and movies, until the design and art world drew her attention.
Her family moved to Georgina just before Covid, and delayed their wish to become involved with the community. As with so many, during Covid she lost her creative spark. When the world had fully opened again she needed a creative boost, and decided to dwelve into theatre once more.
She recently became a board member of Queensville Players, and coerced her husband along with her! He will recently join the QP board and was volentold to participate as both a set builder and ensemble member – to which he happily obliged!
Jacqueline Hart, Ensemble/Candle Maker
Jacqueline Hart lives in Keswick. She has 2 daughters and is semi-retired.
Jacqueline has been on stage since she was 4 years old, either dancing or singing! She sang with Sweet Adelines acapella York Harmony Chorus for 20 years.
Jacqueline has been involved off stage with Queensville Players for 15 years, but this will be her first time on stage. She hopes you will enjoy the show – and the costumes where you will find much of her blood, sweat, and tears entwined!
Michelle Charrette, Choreographer
Michelle has enjoyed almost all roles in music theatre, including stage manager, director, lead roles, producer, music director, and set design, but loves creating choreography best.
She has done shows with OnStage Uxbridge, Scugog Choral and at the high schools where she used to teach French. She has loved her experience with the amazing Beauty and The Beast crew.
Tanya Gripich, Stage Manager
Tanya became involved with Queensville Players several years ago when both of her children became involved in theatre productions (Wizard of Oz, Honk Jr, Joseph and the Amazing Technocolor Dreamcoat, Elf Jr and most recently High School Musical).
Starting off as a parent behind the scenes, and helping to coordinate front of house before moving onto the Board of Directors as Costume Manager, outfitting for the productions of “That Summer” and “High School Musical”.
When opportunity came up to be Stage Manager for Beauty and the Beast, Tanya decided to accept the challenge and be part of the production alongside her son, Bryce who plays multiple roles, including Monsieur D’Arque.
Theodore Papadopoulos, Musical Director
Theo has been a musician for 20 years, working professionally since 2013 as a multi-instrumentalist, solo and group performer, teacher, director, and accompanist. In 2021, he entered the world of audio production, working with artists and labels as a mastering engineer, through his business, Black Space Audio Mastering. As part of his artist development program, Theodore guides artists to sustainably grow their presence and reach in a way that is true to themselves, rather than falling victim to the inherent snares of the industry. He is a believer that music is a force capable of shaping one’s reality, and he consults individuals on transforming their mindset, behaviour, and lives through its power. Theodore graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science focusing on mental health and music.
John DuSomme, Producer
John is returning to the Queensville Players after several decades. In years past, he wore many hats from actor to artistic and musical director and producer for shows like Gilbert and Sullivan’s Princess Ida and Man of LaMancha.
He is so happy to be part of Beauty and the Beast and to have the chance to work with a talented and generous cast and crew.
He hopes you enjoy this enchanted tale of true love.
Cadina Meadus, Director
A Word
From Our President
– Karin Simpson
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The Human Rights: Code-Related Harassment and Discrimination Policy and Procedure (Board Policy and Procedure according to our by-laws and constitution) promotes the belief that all persons are entitled to work and learnin an environment that promotes human rights and equity of opportunity, and is free from discrimination and harassment.
The Queensville Players does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.