By JOSHUA THOMAS

C-S-E Editor

CANAJOHARIE — The Fort Plain-Canajoharie Drama Club will present “Beauty and the Beast”, Friday and Saturday, August 3-4, at 7 p.m. The path to the finished product, marked with fundraisers and ongoing work by the cast and crew, continues to unfold under the direction of former club members Ashley Broady and Cassie White.

Broady and White were unaware that they’d be directing the club’s summer show until just a few weeks ago when the sudden resignation of former director Sarah Ells caused a panic and subsequent reorganization. Lisa Hill, seasoned costume designer for the club, said that she called upon Broady and White because of their experience, thinking, “let’s see if we can make this happen.”

Broady said the decision to step in as director was an easy one, as she (now a college senior) was part of the school’s drama club since her freshman year, even serving as president. She stated, “it’s something I’m very passionate about, and it’s not something I want to see disappear.”

Auditions — which weren’t advertised this year because of the sudden uncertainty — took place shortly after Ells’ resignation. The auditions ended up drawing about 50. The cast includes seasoned performers such as Matthew Soto, Melissa Bowley and Adam Barnes in main roles, while the cast will be rounded out with a diverse group, including actors ages 5-40, from Fort Plain, Canajoharie and Cherry Valley.

The production’s funding is extremely limited this year, so the cast and crew have been creative and active in securing props and money. Hill, working in Cobleskill, heard that Schoharie school’s Performing Arts Center would be performing “Beauty and the Beast” in March. Hill went to see the show, then approached the director to ask whether it’d be possible for the Fort Plain-Canajoharie Drama Club to borrow some items. “They were very willing to let us have things,” said Hill, who, along with additional volunteers, loaded her father’s cattle truck with items and transported them to Canajoharie.

Schoharie graciously loaned out numerous costumes, including silverware and plates, along with several set-pieces, including the full castle, interior and exterior, with two round, ten-foot tall turrets, flats for the village scene, Gaston’s Tavern and Maurice’s Invention.

The club will still hold several fundraisers to bring in money for lumber and fastening items necessary to put together the large sets. Since Schoharie’s auditorium is significantly smaller than Canajoharie’s, they’ll also need to fill some empty spaces.

Broady explained, “we have many pieces of the puzzle. We’re just trying to put them together.”

The fact that the rights for the show are very expensive was also a consideration, even causing the show’s schedule to be cut down from the usual three evening run to two performances.

There is also usually a $500 budget for costumes, which isn’t available this year, so Hill has been creating costumes for the main characters since January. She’s been working out of pocket, and Broady explained that it’s devoted work like Hill’s that is driving the cast to be diligent in their fundraising, as they hope they can pay back some of the people that have so-far spent their own money on the production.

Broady stated that aside from paying people back and purchasing necessary items, she hopes “to create profit so we can continue to do shows in the future.”

“This is such a huge show,” she continued. “Everybody knows about “Beauty and the Beast”. It’s a family classic that anybody can come to.”

The group raised funds during 4th on the 3rd by selling show-themed items, holding raffles and selling advanced tickets. They also gave people the opportunity to meet the characters Chip and Mrs. Potts. There will be an Applebee’s breakfast fundraiser on July 15, a chicken barbecue at Save-A-Lot on July 22, and a McDonald’s Night on July 31.

Advance sale tickets can be purchased now for $5. Admission at the door will also be $5.