(Enlarge) The student cast of Glenelg High School’s production of “Beauty and the Beast” takes a break from rehearsals to pose for a picture. The show will be performed March 4-7 at 7 p.m. Matinees will also be held March 6 and 7 at 2 p.m. (Submitted photo)

Students at Glenelg High School will perform "Beauty and the Beast" at the school March 4-7.

Opening night is March 4 at 7 p.m., followed by performances March 5-7 at 7 p.m. and March 6 and 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in the school's main office or at the door prior to performances.

"Beauty and the Beast" was a classic Disney film that was turned into a Broadway show. It is the story of a cruel prince who is put under a curse, along with the other members of his castle. His outer appearance is made to match his inner ugliness and the workers of the castle are turned into objects that have a resemblance to their own character traits.

The castle is turned upside down when a beautiful girl named Belle enters in hopes of finding her father. Everyone knows that if the Beast falls in love, the curse will be broken; thus, they all do their best to make sure Belle is the one. The story is filled with love, manipulation, imagination and compassion.

Junior Tyler House and sophomore Jordan Andre will both have their turn to take the stage as the Beast, while senior Katie Pfeiffer and junior Olivia Ostrom will alternate playing Belle. Some of the many additional cast members include Tom Britton, as Gaston, Caitlin Grant, as Mrs. Potts, Kyle Failla, as Lumiere, Zack Neil, as Cogsworth, Derry MacDermott, as Lefou, Molly McDermid, as Babette, Nick Haley, as Chip, Jack Neumeier, as Maurice, and Stephanie Clark, as Madame de la Grande Bouche. Directing the production is Sue Miller, with the assistance of student director, Rachel Herron. The musical directors are Nancy Buckel and Kevin George, with choreography by Jennifer Ousse-Seye.

River Hill High students will perform 'Me and My Girl'

The River Hill High School Theatre Arts Department is busy rehearsing its production of "Me and My Girl," which will take to the stage March 3-6 at 7:30 p.m. and March 7 at 2 p.m., at the school, 12101 Route 108, Clarksville.

With book and lyrics by Douglas Furber and L. Arthur Rose, and music by Noel Gay, River Hill theater arts teacher Pam Land will direct and choreograph.

Also choreographing are River Hill dance teacher Jenn Hennessee and River Hill parent Dana Keane, part-owner of Studio Dans and an original Broadway cast member of "Me and My Girl."

Land will be assisted by student directors Mary Sarro, Shashwati Das, and Jen Warner, and dance captains, Sophie Keane and Ali Ward. A longtime friend of the River Hill drama department, Joe Blasko, will direct the construction of the set designed by River Hill alumnus, Mike Leon.

A crew of more than 25 students (lead by student stage manager Ali Woodhouse) will build the sets and props and run the show for each performance. The student orchestra of more than 25 will be conducted by River Hill music department faculty member, Joe Fischer.

Amy Hairston, River Hill vocal music teacher, will direct the vocals. Professional musician Doug Lawler will play the piano for rehearsals and in the orchestra during the performances.

Rhonda De La Mar, a River Hill math teacher, will coordinate the many period costumes with the assistance of parent volunteers.

"Me and My Girl" is a comedy set in the late 1930s at the very swanky Hareford Hall. in Hampshire, England. A throng of upper-crust partygoers eagerly await the arrival of the long-lost heir to the Hareford throne, only to discover that the heir is Bill Snibson, a Cockney ne'er-do-well from Lambeth who has brought his equally crass and uncultured girlfriend, Sally, along with him.

The executors of the Hareford will and estate, Maria, Duchess of Dene, and Sir John Tremayne, set out to make Bill a "fit and proper" gentleman, worthy of the riches and honor owed to the heir. Originally produced in London in 1937, the show was revised and revived in 1985, winning the Olivier Award for "Best Musical of the Year" before coming to New York in 1986.

The Broadway production was nominated for 13 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Choreography.

The cast of more than 60 students includes Chris Donaldson, as Bill Snibson, Hannah Jefferson, as Sally Smith, Kelsey Balimtas, as Lady Jacqueline (played by Helen Ross in the Sunday performance), Zac Brightbill, as Gerald Bolingbroke, John Hong, as Herbert Parchester, Amanda Ascoli, as Maria, Duchess of Dene, Peter Favinger, as Sir John, Ganesh Mysore, as Sir Jasper, Kyle Bailey and Casey Merritt as Lord and Lady Battersby, and Chris Fichman as Charles Hethersett.

Tickets are $9 in advance and $10 at the door. Advanced sale of tickets are at www.hocomojo.com, click on events and look for "Me and My Girl" in March; at www.seatyourself.biz/River Hill; at the River Hill Media Center, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; in front of the dining hall, beginning March 1, Monday-Friday, 10:15 a.m. to noon; and at the box office, which opens 90 minutes before curtain.

Submissions sought in film festival, deadline nears

Teens, it's your cue. The sixth annual Howard County Student Film Festival, a product of the Howard County Schools Gifted and Talented Intern/Mentor Program, is currently seeking original film submissions from county high schoolers.

The festival is open to all Howard County high schoolers from both public and private schools. All films must be 3-10 minutes in length, original and family friendly. Go to www.hocofilmfestival.com for more submission guidelines. Deadline for submissions is Feb. 26.

Two new partnerships with MRHS students announced

Two new partnerships will enhance the computing skills and general well-being of Marriotts Ridge High School students and staff. The partnership agreements with Scienta Solutions LLC and the West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department were formalized with official signings at the school Jan. 26.

Scienta Solutions has agreed to collaborate with faculty to develop computer and information technology class projects relevant to current business and industry applications.

The organization will assist students and staff in understanding and applying leading-edge technology and business concepts to both the product development process and classroom instructional methods.

The West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department has agreed to serve as an informational resource for the Marriotts Ridge community on effective emergency preparedness practices and to provide educational presentations on topics such as CPR, home safety surveys, and smoking cessation classes. WFVFD members will also mentor motivated, qualified high school students for career exploration and community service projects.

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