Mike Ricci's Production of
Beauty and the Beast

Cast

Belle	. . .	Louisa Guggisberg
The Beast	. . .	Jason Scorich
Gaston	. . .	Kevin Zinter
LeFou	. . .	Mike McLaughlin
Maurice	. . .	Mark Grouettum
Lumierre	. . .	Joe Galatz
Cogsworth	. . .	Timothy P. O'Reilly
Mrs. Potts	. . .	Bobbie Sajevic
Chip	. . .	Andrew Saarela
Madame de la Grande Bouche	. . .	Mary Chiaravalle
Monsieur Dâ'Argue	. . .	Marty Rice
Silly Girls	. . .	Beth Sajevic, Kjerstin Lang, Meghaan Pavich
Wolves	. . .	Lynda Ruud, Jane Wright, Amber Johnson, Ellie Ricci, Abby Scott
WOMENS ENSEMBLE Michelle Rhodes, Christina Johnson, Mary Zahorsky, Peggy Lister, Abby Scott, Iris Kolodji, Tracy Schepis, Kjerstin Lang, Beth Ssajevic, Meghaan Pavich, Amber Johnson
MENS ENSEMBLE Jared Oberton, Bill Lah, Jerry Wozniak, Steve Cook, Marty Rice, Bill Buchwitz, Michael Davidson, Chris Synder

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Crew

Stage Manager	. . .	Kelly Gustavsson
Asst. Stage Manager	. . .	Nicole Watsula
Technical Director/Sound Engineer	. . .	Dan Dolinar
Set Design	. . .	Ellie Ricci
Lighting Design	. . .	Mark Harvey
Lighting Assistant	. . .	Alex Finnerty
Vocal Director	. . .	Bobbi Sajevic
Dance Choreography	. . .	Danielle Ricci
Dance Captains	. . .	Amber Johnson, Abby Scott
Musical Recording	. . .	provided by "The MT Pit, LLC"
Costumes	. . .	provided by "Heartland Costumes"
Costumes Coordination	. . .	Bobbi Sajevic, Danielle Ricci, Ellie Ricci, Peggy Lister
Props	. . .	Gretchen Mayer, Ellie Ricci, Danielle Ricci
Wrought Iron Railing Design and Construction	. . .	Tom Ricci, Steve Nadeau
Stage Crew	. . .	Nicole Watsula (crew chief), Alex Lah, Sammy Lah, James Jones, Candace Burkman, Jessica Bergren
Set Construction	. . .	Dan Dolinar, Mike Ricci, Bill Lah, Sammy Lah, Dave Ongaro, Nicole Watsula, Jeff Witzman, Jason Broadnax, Alex Lah, Jerry Wozniak, Cory Kolodji, Steve Cook, Marty Rice, Peggy Lister, Bobbie Sajevic, Paul Sajevic
Scenic Painting	. . .	Ellie Ricci (charge artist), Danielle Ricci, Jamie Taylor
Beast Makeup	. . .	Ellie Ricci
Flower girls	. . .	Kate Wolff, Julie Sweep, Julia Lister, Julia Starr
Sound Board Operator	. . .	Dan Dolinar
MIDI Show Control Operator	. . .	Kate Hukka
Rehearsal Pianist	. . .	Diana Giombetti
Billboard Artwork	. . .	Ellie Ricci
Box Office	. . .	Barb Suech
Concessions	. . .	Tom Ruud
Progam Ad Sales	. . .	Nina Kampf, Seante Chidester

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Director Notes

When Disney's film version of "Beauty and the Beast" was first shown in theatres back in the early 1990's, everyone immediately hailed it as an "instant classic". What makes a classic? An engaging story, entertaining characters we can relate to, a hero or heroine who overcomes great obstacles and comes out on top in the end despite all odds, and yes, maybe even some magic. The animated film had all of these elements, and, not surprisingly, when Disney decided to turn this film into a stage play, the same magic made it's way on to the Broadway stage in a spectacular production. I was lucky enough to have seen that production, and I thought at the time that this would be an impossible show to ever produce anywhere else. However, when Disney released the rights about two years ago, many theatres since then have produced it, and quite successfully. So last summer, I decided that HCC Theatre should present this play for our community, and, well, here we are.

A play of this scope was an immense undertaking for us, and was it not for the combined efforts of many very talented and dedicated people; this production would not have been possible. One thing that I've found to be true in my years of directing plays is that live theatre has an amazing power and ability to bring people together, and this show was a great example of that power. From the wonderful support out in the business community, who donated funding for this production, to the multi-talented people who worked backstage helping to create the magic onstage, and finally, to the hardworking and dedicated cast who helped bring this show to life, they all showed there is no limit to the wonderful work we can produce here.

Once again, I am indebted to several very special people whose efforts truly shone brightly. To my wife Ellie, who has created another dazzling set design, along with her amazing scenic artwork, it is obvious I couldn't do this with her; to my daughter Danielle, who has shown everyone her gift of dance, while bringing out everyone's inner dancer, to Dan Dolinar, who shouldered an incredible workload, it seems like nothing is ever too impossible for him; to my friend Tom Ricci, who volunteered an amazing amount of time to design and build the wrought iron railing despite working double shifts at his job; to Mark Harvey, whose atmospheric lighting brings us all closer to the heart of this play; and Bobbi Sajevic for making everyone sound better than they thought possible; they all make the timeless magic of Disney come to life for all of us to enjoy. This has truly been a memorable journey, and your being here to share in it completes the circle. Enjoy!

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Play Photos

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Hibbing Community College is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and the Arrowhead University Consortium. Hibbing Community College is accredited by The NCA Higher Learning Commission. Hibbing Community College is an equal opportunity employer and educator.

Mike Ricci's Production of Beauty and the Beast

Cast

Crew

Director Notes

Play Photos

Mike Ricci's Production of
Beauty and the Beast