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A fading scarlet rose set the clock ticking as an unlikely romance took root in Langley High School’s captivating production of Beauty and the Beast.
First staged on Broadway in 1994, the musical draws from Disney’s 1991 animated film and the classic 18th-century fairy tale. Its central characters are two outsiders: Belle, a compassionate book lover, and the Beast, who must find love before his curse becomes permanent.
Belle enters the Beast’s shadowy world as his prisoner but soon emerges as his best hope. Their story asks whether one person can transform another’s life before time runs out.
Ellie Fox brought an engaging sincerity and lively spirit to Belle. Her impressive voice made the character’s musical numbers a highlight, while her focus and attentive reactions conveyed Belle’s kindness even when she was not speaking.
As the Beast, Zachary Ulman delivered an equally commanding performance. Despite heavy makeup obscuring much of his face, he clearly traced the character’s journey from hostile bully to tender prince through purposeful physical choices. The Beast’s hunched posture gradually straightened, his animalistic movements became more human, and his snarl softened into a smile as his relationship with Belle deepened.
Fox and Ulman established a convincing rapport, allowing the characters’ slow-building romance to unfold naturally.
The Beast’s castle was populated by an eccentric collection of servants trapped inside household objects. The performers filled those roles with precise details that strengthened both the comedy and the production’s fantasy world.
Caden Peng showed total commitment as Cogsworth, the self-declared head of the household. He developed a distinctive way for a clock to walk and talk, even fashioning Cogsworth’s chuckle after the sound of a clock winding.
Abhinav Mogili gave Lumiere the candelabra a consistently energetic presence. His flirtation with Lorna Evans’ Babette and his frequent bickering with Cogsworth created two sharply defined and entertaining relationships. Across the castle ensemble, the actors’ dedication made the enchanted setting feel busy, cohesive and lived in.
The technical elements added another layer of detail. Lorna Evans, Melina Nipp, Arlo Kouzoukas and Alice Zheng designed the elaborate costumes, while Lily Bowers, Shannon Linton, Lorelei Price and Maysa Khelghati created the makeup.
The servants’ shimmering navy-and-gold palette contrasted effectively with the village residents’ worn earth tones. Intricate makeup effects complemented costumes tailored to each setting, helping unite the production’s different worlds.
Through careful performances and richly coordinated design, Langley’s Beauty and the Beast gave its familiar story fresh warmth. As the Beast’s guarded heart opened, the production reinforced the enduring appeal of a tale in which compassion—and even the smallest loving gesture—can break a curse.