For the last few months I have had the singularly wonderful job of watching the All-City Musical production of Beauty and the Beast take shape. While I have grown up in local community theatre in a variety of roles, this is only the second time I have taken on the direction of a musical and the first I have taken on a musical of this grandeur. It has been a humbling and wonderful experience to be a part of, watching as our students - some of whom I have just met and some whom I have known for years - embodied their roles with pride, dedication, and a creative vigor. The sheer amount of hard work and dedication that it takes to put on a musical from both the students involved as well as the adults in their lives has truly shone throughout this production, and I thank everyone involved.
To our superintendent Paula Deacon as well as middle school principals Deborah Squires of Sky View Middle School and Kathleen Ciccolini of Samoset Middle School, I thank you for your support in helping us keep alive a program that teaches communication, creativity, respect, and cooperation along with a myriad of other important skills. I would also like to extend a thank you to the principals of the Leominster elementary schools for allowing us to extend the program to their students as well. Thank you to Andrea Mastrianni, Tim Smith, and Leominster High School for allowing us to use their space.
To Robert Landry, our producer and musical director, without whom none of this would be possible. Thank you for your tireless dedication to our students and this program that helps to strengthen their skills and abilities as they grow into confident young adults. And to Kimberley Soel, our choreographer, a wonderful dance teacher and extraordinary person. Your dedication to our students shows in their movement on stage.
Finally, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the parent volunteers - Mary Cafarella, Lynn Valeri, Julie Robillard, Nicole Mahoney, Sharon Frechette, and Gina Doherty - who spent time to make many of the props you see on stage during our production. Without their help and creativity our production would not be as magical as it is.
It’s no secret that my love for theatre may be eclipsed only by my love for Disney, and to have been given the opportunity to help students bring a favorite Disney musical to life has been a truly rewarding experience. Thank you all so very much.
Ms. Rachel Twiss
Director
