12
Be Our Guest
February 2014
Photo from disney.wikia.com
Christine Carlson and Justine Coleman Bonjour. Everyone knows that tale as old as time. But now the cast and crew add an enchanting extra to the classic. Let Saturday afternoon March 15 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. be an opportunity to sit back and relax as that tale, known as Beauty and the Beast, unfolds around you. This magical opportunity takes place in Emmaus High School’s cafeteria one. During this time, children are encouraged to pose with Belle, the Beast, and other characters featured from the musical. The “Be Our Guest” Children’s Character Tea features beverages, baked goods, crafts, face painting, autographs, and vocal highlights from the upcoming production of Beauty and the Beast. All of this may be at your fingertips- for the per person fee of $10. Tickets are sold in the EHS main office or at the door. The musical runs March 19, 20, and 21 at 7 p.m. and March 22 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the EHS auditorium. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. The Saturday matinee tickets for children under ten are also $10. Tickets are sold out for the Friday and Saturday shows, but are still available for the Wednesday, March 19, and Thursday, March 20, shows in the main office and online at www.eastpennsd. org/ehs. Theater director Jill Kuebler chose this play for the gorgeous music and classic fairytale story. All of the actors are excited for both the play and the “Be Our Guest” Character Tea. “Everyone involved in the show is working very hard to make sure it is a wonderful production,” Kuebler said. Senior Megnot Toggia seems pleased with her role in the musical. “I am extremely excited and honored to be playing
Belle in my first musical here and I am very thankful that I have been given the opportunity,” Toggia said. Sawyer Long, senior, believes that the role he plays as Lumiere matches his personality very well. “I thought Lumiere would be a great role because of his comedic personality and I figured I could do him very well,” Long said. “I think If I’m successful enough I can make a lot of people in the audience laugh which I love to do.” Senior Anthony Sharp also loves his role but admits that it sometimes seems difficult. “The role of the Beast is a great role for me vocally but is challenging from an acting perspective,” Sharp said. “Throughout the first act, the Beast is angry and frightening but quickly becomes lovable in the second act.” Each of the actors and actresses all have their favorite parts of the musical which help further the plot or provide comical relief. These parts all continue to provide Beauty and the Beast with the enchanting Disney experience. Sharp’s favorite scene of the musical is the one of the most romantic and recognized parts of the movie. “My favorite part of the musical is the song ‘Beauty and the Beast’ which Mrs. Potts sings while Beast and Belle ballroom dance,” Sharp said. “It is the turning point that leads Belle to learn to love the Beast.” Long really likes the presentation of another big song and dance scene. “My favorite part in the musical is definitely Be Our Guest because that’s really where Lumiere gets to take the stage and express his comedy,” Long said. “The choreography is really well done and it’s just going to be an awesome outstanding number.”
A character meal is a new addition to the musical. Kuebler wanted to add something extra so that younger children could become involved and meet the characters. “Hopefully all of the children will have an enchanted afternoon with our actors,” Kuebler said. Toggia believes that the kids will react well to the characters and have an entertaining afternoon. “I think the brunch will go quite well because the kids will get to see the characters from the musical right in front of them,” Toggia said. “I think they’ll be excited to see all the characters so it should be a lot of fun.” Senior Chris Mikus, who plays Cogsworth in the musical, remembers the visits that he took to Disney when he was younger. “When I used to go to disney as a kid the character teas were always a huge hit,” Mikus said. “I think they will love it.” Long believes that Beauty and the Beast is one of the most popular Disney movies, so the kids will be more excited for the opportunity to meet and greet the characters. “Every kid knows of Beauty and the Beast,” Long said. “It’s just going to be a great time.” Mikus realizes that they play extremely important roles in the character tea. “We have the chance to bring Disney to life for these kids,” said Mikus. And now the cast invites you to relax, let them pull up a chair as the dining room proudly presents - your tea.
Behind the brony: a look into the fandom
Photo from gifhunterress.tumblr.com
Hanna Brosky Features Contributor
“We Bronies and Pegasisters enjoy all of what the not, but whoever takes their franchise and global fan base has to offer,” Perez said. time and actually watches it Victor Perez, a senior at Emmaus High School, “There’s so many things that you can do with MLP; it is will see that it’s more than just became a Brony the moment he saw Epic Musicians of truly surreal.” a cartoon. Pony with a dubstep Pony DJ. According to Perez, his fellow Bronies, and other The attraction to My Little Pony is not the female My Little Pony hit a new generation in October Bronies of the world, “Friendship is Magic” does not features of the characters, but instead the relatable char2010, when “Friendship signify just a cartoon. People acteristics of the Ponies. Twilight Sparkle represents the is Magic” aired. Lauren look to MLP to make themelement of magic, while Applejack always strives to be Faust, “Friendship is selves better people, and behonest towards everyone. Fluttershy, though extremely Magic” creator, sought friend individuals with similar quiet, is always ready to lend a helping hand. Rarity A name typically given to the to put the show in a new interests. Fellow Bronies share is always very generous with her time and resources. male viewers or fans of the My their creativity through every light. She changed My Party-loving Pinkie Pie loves laughing and having Little Pony from a young activity. Regardless of a past, fun, while her best friend Rainbow Dash remains Little Pony show or franchise. girl imaginative show to a My Little Pony has reunited fiercely loyal to all of her friends. According to Urban Dictonary high-quality cartoon that every age of individuals. But still, My Little Pony has encountered could appeal to all ages. “Not only does the show misunderstood stereotypes from a misinFaust continued to incorporate adult humor like James teach about love, friendship, and other valuable life formed society. Bond and Tay Zonday’s Chocolate Rain. lessons, it allows you to further explore your “Just because you love the franchise, does It did not take long for the Brony lifestyle to concreativity to a higher place not yet known not mean that you are a bad person, or gay… or sume Perez’s character and even change his life. and find a newer acceptance for yourany other derogatory words that “At first, I wasn’t that crazy about it due to my preself, life, and the others around you,” people may think or say that they vious mindset of it being ‘just a girly show,’” Perez said. Perez said. “Being a Brony or Pegaare,” Perez said. “One day however, I decided to look up the show to see sister is beautiful in every shape or Though those derogatory terms what the fuss is all about…I started with looking up fan form imaginable, and it is a strong seem always associated with MLP, videos on YouTube.” basis for creativity.” that doesn’t stop Perez from The video that hooked him was the Epic Musicians Bronies are known for being being a dedicated fan. of Pony, which features his favorite pony, Vinyl Scratch, creative individuals through “My favorite part about who is the most popular DJ in all of Equestria. After art, music, animation, and fan being a Brony is expressing that, Perez became a Brony. fictions. The brony lovers create my fandom and interacting with “I find that not only interesting, but overwhelmingly their own characters and even others with similar interest as well. cool,” Perez said. “I afterwards watched a few episodes make their own episodes with I find inner- deep joy in connecting of the show itself… and I was hooked to it ever since.” the fictional characters. with people who like the show and Perez does not stand alone in the Bro-Pony mixture. The world’s largest convention, franchise as much as I do,” Perez said. Photo By Maura Benner He is one among more than 26.6 million bronies. BronyCon, started as a one-day “Overall, being a Brony or Pegasister is Perez has been a proud Brony for seven months. “My event in New York City with 100 a very beautiful thing, and it is a beautiful thing to Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” is not just a show but attendees. Now, BronyCon is a weekend-long party in be a part of.” a significant part of his life. He diligently watches the Baltimore attracting over 8,000 fans from around the MLP has influenced Perez and given him a new show, writes his own Fanfictions, communicates with world. Some activities at BronyCon are costume conoutlook on every aspect of his life. other Bronies and Pegasisters, female fans of MLP, goes tests, voice acting, with special appearances of My Little “‘My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic’ has given me to conventions, and listens to songs. Perez was introPony celebrities like voice actor, Shannon Chan-Kent. the courage to be completely true to myself and the way duced to the Brony life from his best friend Elijah Cole “The fanbase is generally a beautiful organization, I live,” he said. “ In other words you could say that it’s a year ago. When he gave the show a chance, it became and I encourage everyone to watch at least the first five my inspiration.” a part of his identity. episodes of the show,” said Perez. “You may love it or
What is a brony?