This weekend Warren Central High School will perform a tale as old as time and songs as old as rhyme with their production of “Beauty and the Beast.”
The musical will be held at Warren Central High School Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 for all seats and ages.
Head choral director and district fine arts coordinator Nancy Robertson said Thursday would be a family fun night.
“We want the kids to come out that night,” she said. “We’re going to give away some backstage passes, and we’re going to let them have their pictures taken with the characters, let them see what goes on backstage and give them some fun memories.”
Robertson said the plays are beginning to rotate now, and this is the second time in her 16 years they have put on “Beauty and the Beast.”

“First and foremost we try to find something G-rated,” she said. “Then we try to find a show that we can cast and do a good job casting. We look at our talent pool and we see which direction we can go from there.”
Though, that talent pool is not lacking, Robertson said.
“They are ready to walk in the door of any upper level choral program in the state or even in the country,” she said. “We do college level material here in our choirs all the time.”
Playing the part of Belle, Becca English, a senior, said this would be her fourth and final high school production at Warren Central.
“Belle has been my favorite Disney princess since I was little, so it’s a really big honor for me to get to do this my senior year,” she said.
English, who did her first play at Warren Central as a sixth grader, said being a part of the plays has made her more outgoing.
“I used to be really shy and always care what people thought of me, but it really forces me to get outside of my comfort zone and be myself without really caring what people think and just have fun on stage with my friends,” she said.
English said her favorite song in the musical was “Beauty and the Beast.”
“I know it’s cliché,” she said. “It’s because we get to dance to it.”
Another senior, Dennis Lewis, who is playing the part of Gaston, said he’s always loved being a part of the last four performances at Warren Central.
“It’s always been a passion of mine,” he said. “I’ve always loved to sing, and I’ve always had such a fire for acting.”
Lewis said he was glad to learn they were putting on “Beauty and the Beast.”
“It was one of my favorite shows when I was a kid, and now that I’m a part of the musical, it’s exciting,” he said.
Lewis said playing the part of Gaston has been interesting.
“He’s the bad guy, but he’s also the town favorite,” he said. He’s more of an energetic, boastful character, and I like playing that.”
Robertson said they are continually appreciative for those who support their program.
“We’re extremely thankful for the support that our community gives us not only by donating things and buying ads for our programs, but also the way they attend our program,” she said. “We are always blessed with full houses, and we really appreciate our community support.”