Published May 02. 2023 04:12PM
By: Joanna Ireland Special to the Bethlehem Press
Prior to the 2022-23 school year, the Lehigh Valley Academy RCS was ineligible for the Freddy Awards because the school splits its theater program among grades 2-3, 4-6 and 7-12. This year, LVA divided its program to align with the Lehigh Valley’s own awards show, dedicated to recognizing outstanding musical theater in grades 9-12.
“Beauty and the Beast” Director Amanda Pascale, her cast, and her crew are excited to join this tradition. Pascale and her students had only three days for blocking, tech and rehearsal before the curtain rose. She said they take a similar approach to building and rehearsing as touring productions.
This year, LVA performed two shows Saturday, April 22 and one show Sunday, April 23 at Nazareth Area MS.
PRESS PHOTOS BY Joanna Ireland Cogsworth (Theo Lemons), Mrs. Potts (Carmela D'Aquila), Belle (Mya Heard) and Lumiere (Katie Dempsey) share a moment after Belle has tried the gray stuff (it was delicious) at dinner.
Beast (Dmitri Melton) wishes he weren't alone.
Belle (Mya Heard) speaks with her papa, Maurice (Imaani Mata), before he's taken away.
Gaston (Valeska Fichter) stirs up the villagers into a frenzy.
Lumiere (Katie Dempsey) and Cogsworth (Theo Lemons ) show Belle (Mya Heard) all the wonders of her new home - specifically the library.
