USU Bookstore offers enchanting activity for Little Aggies
A crowd of mini princes and princesses gathered at the USU Bookstore for the chance to hear “Beauty and the Beast” read by none other than Belle and the Prince Saturday. The event was put on by the USU Bookstore in partnership with the Cache Regional Theatre Company, who will be presenting the musical “Beauty and the Beast,” April 24 through May 5 at the Ellen Eccles Theater, in order to promote the show and get kids excited about reading. Due to popular demand, it was the second time the Bookstore’s Little Aggie activity paired up with Belle and the Beast to present an enchanting experience for kids. Sarah Swenson, sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism, will be playing Belle in the CRTC production of Beauty and the Beast and said the turnout for the reading exceeded her expectations. “The first one was really fun,” Swenson said. “I thought no one would come, so I made my 12-year-old little sister bring all her friends, but a lot of people showed up.” Lee Cannon, junior majoring in public relations, is playing the role of a prince who is turned into a beast in the upcoming musical. Cannon said the pairing of the Bookstore and cast members of “Beauty and the Beast” was a natural choice. “It’s a kids play, so why not involve the kids?” Cannon said. “The Bookstore was very supportive of what we wanted to do.” Celestyn Hollingshead, who is in charge of marketing at the Bookstore, said they were excited to help bring the magic of Disney to life. “This one was great because children love Disney and the magic of ‘Beauty and the Beast,'” Hollingshead said. “It’s just another way to get them excited about reading while supporting the show.” Hollingshead said the Bookstore holds about two Little Aggie activities per semester in hopes of encouraging young kids to read. Cannon said for him, the best part of the Little Aggies activity Saturday was seeing the kids dance as he sang a piece from the show. “It was real cute to see that and to see Disney still has magic,” Cannon said. Hollingshead said a table was set up outside the Bookstore for the children to make and decorate crowns before story time. As the kids filtered in wearing their creations, the excitement in the air was palpable, she said. “There she is!” one little girl, dressed up in a poofy pink skirt and a purple jeweled crown, cried as she spotted Belle. “I’m not that big of a deal,” Swenson said, in reaction to the starstruck awe emanating from the crowd of little princes and princesses. “But when I dress up like Belle, I feel like a princess.” Cannon said getting into character is an essential part of preparing for his role on stage, and the costumes, including specially made prosthetics that Cannon said take two and a half hours to put on, are all a part of the act. “We don’t mess around,” Cannon said. “This is a well-financed performance.” Cannon he doesn’t mind the preparation because the transformation from Lee Cannon to the Beast is his favorite part of the whole experience. In addition to applying a prosthetic coat of fur to his face, Cannon said he has another trick for getting into character. “I always listen to hardcore rap before I go on because I have to be rough and gruff and that’s not who I am,” Cannon said. “I’m pretty laid back and to be ferocious is quite different … so I put on the song ‘Apple Bottom Jeans’ and get down with my bad self.” Swenson said the cast has been rehearsing for “Beauty and the Beast” since February and hopes people of all ages will be excited about the upcoming show. “I do hope that people come see it,” Swenson said. “They think it’s for little kids or for older people because it’s a musical, but there is something for everyone.” Swenson said the musical is based on the Broadway adaption of “Beauty and the Beast” and is for all ages because it dives a little deeper than the Disney version. “It’s like the Disney movie, but there’s much more to it,” Swenson said. “You get more into the characters and the relationships they have with each other.” Cannon also said the show is not just for one specific age group, but geared toward the community as a whole. “‘Beauty and the Beast’ was my childhood,” Cannon said. “It was our generation’s childhood. We grew up watching these characters, and it’s a chance for people to see it come alive. There’s a magic watching live theater.” Cannon said tickets range from $10-17 and are a great price for what the audience will experience. “It’s the closest thing to Broadway near Logan,” Cannon said. “And I think the Ellen Eccles Theatre is comparable to the ones found in Europe. It’s so ornate and beautiful.” Cannon, who recently returned from a concert tour of eastern Europe, said he is thrilled to be providing such a quality show for residents of Cache Valley. A tea party with Belle will also be held on April 26 to promote the upcoming musical. For more information on both the show and the tea party or to purchase tickets, visit www.centerforthearts.us/tickets.html or call 752-0026.
-amanda.m@aggiemail.usu.edu