By JOSHUA THOMAS

C-S-E Editor

Photos in the Seen section

CANAJOHARIE — The Canajoharie-Fort Plain Drama Club’s lavish production of Beauty and the Beast, which will show Friday, August 3 and Saturday, August 4, at 7 p.m. at the Canajoharie High School’s Arkell Performing Arts Center, is a perfect example of true community theater.

Former club president and member Ashley Broady, working alongside longtime-club member Cassie White, didn’t expect that they’d spend their summer directing one of the Canajoharie High School’s famously massive summer productions.

The two former CHS students, now college students, only became involved with the production the third week of June after Sarah Ells suddenly stepped down as director, leaving a huge gap to fill. Broady and White didn’t have much time to ponder their participation, as they had about one week from the moment they heard the play might be cancelled to the first audition.

Because of each other’s involvement, as Broady said that she and White “both wanted to help, but knew we couldn’t do it by ourselves,” and because the club meant — and still means — so much to both girls and their continued creative development, they threw themselves headfirst into the production, with Broady stating of the whirlwind journey, “I’m very impressed that it came together as quickly and smoothly as it has.”

It wouldn’t have, she said, if it weren’t for parents, community members, patrons, and the Schoharie Central School District (who loaned the club sets and costumes from their March production of “Beauty and the Beast”), “pitching in and going the extra mile so we could get the show up and ready to go.”

Broady said that mounting such a huge production — with a cast and crew of about 60 — has been “an enlightening experience”. While Broady was very involved with the drama club throughout her high school career, she said “there’s a lot that goes into a show,” that, even in the capacity of president, she never had to consider. The details are endless, and Broady said that while her time in the club, and her time as a creative arts minor in college, has helped her learn a lot about the organizational aspect of mounting a performance, her time directing “Beauty and the Beast” has truly provided her a rounded, expansive vision of the puzzle that must be assembled so that an audience’s experience is seamless.

One of the splendid things about “Beauty and the Beast”, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, is that it’s a show with something for everybody. It has humor, intrigue, gorgeous music, elaborate sets and costumes, and a timeless story with an unforgettable, poignant conclusion. The cast, featuring a 32 member chorus, ages 7-18, includes club veterans Adam Barnes as the Beast, Melissa Bowley as Belle, Matthew Hazzard as Gaston, choreographer Matthew Soto as Lumier, Rachael Takacs as Mrs. Potts, Andy Hamon as LeFou, C.J. Verderber as Cosgrove, Jenna Sierra as Babette, Caitlin Hurd as the Wardrobe, Brian MacFadden as Maurice and David Riley as Monsier D’Arque.

The show also features a score performed under the direction of Julieanne Sincavage and Norma Bowley, with a pit band made up of seven talented musicians.

“This has been such an incredible experience for everybody involved, and the community has meant so much. Them even coming to the show is a sign of support,” said Broady, noting that audience support goes a long way toward furthering the club so that every new performance improves upon the last.

“I’m really, really thrilled with how far this has come along,” said Broady of “Beauty and the Beast”, encouraging everybody to come and see the latest show brought to life not only by a large, talented cast and crew, but by a whole community.

Tickets for each performance, available at the door, are $5.