Montgomery Upper Middle School Brings “Beauty and the Beast JR.” to Life in Charming Opening Night Performance
Nicholas Mistretta
MHS ‘79
Montgomery — The auditorium at Montgomery Upper Middle School was transformed into an enchanted castle Thursday night as students took the stage for the opening performance of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast JR.”, a polished, energetic production that showcased the depth of talent in the school’s theater program.
The junior adaptation, part of the Disney Broadway Junior series, condenses the beloved 1991 animated classic into a shorter, school-friendly format while preserving its heart: a story about seeing beyond appearances, valuing inner beauty, and learning to love with courage and empathy.
With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and a book by Linda Woolverton, the production challenged the young cast with iconic songs, fast-paced choreography, and a well-known storyline — and they rose to the occasion.
A “tale as old as time” in middle school hands
“Beauty and the Beast JR.” follows Belle, a bright, book-loving young woman who longs to escape her “provincial life” and the unwanted attention of the swaggering Gaston. When her father Maurice becomes lost and imprisoned in a mysterious castle, Belle trades her freedom for his and discovers that the fearsome Beast is far more than he appears.
From there, the familiar story unfolds: dancing flatware, singing furniture, menacing wolves, and a curse that can only be broken by learning to love and be loved in return.
On opening night, Leira Garcia led the cast as Belle, bringing warmth and poise to the role of the intelligent, independent heroine. Aadhav Rony portrayed the Prince/Beast, balancing gruff frustration with vulnerability as the character slowly softens under Belle’s influence.
Oliver Naumoski’s Gaston provided plenty of swagger and comic bravado, paired with Zeeshan Lele as his sidekick Lefou, drawing laughs from the crowd with their over-the-top antics. Adi Gupta gave a heartfelt performance as Maurice, Belle’s loving, if slightly eccentric, father.
The enchanted objects of the castle added sparkle and humor throughout the evening. Nevaan Gulati as the tightly wound Cogsworth and Emaan Raza as the ever-charming Lumiere made a lively duo. Grace Del Nero as Mrs. Potts brought warmth and emotion, while Adelaide Merritt charmed the audience as Chip. Nandi Yadav (Madame de la Grande Bouche), Elliot Katz (Babette), and Ayaan Hmidan (Monsieur D’Arque) rounded out the featured roles with confident performances.
The ensemble — including Narrator Aariya Bhagavathula, Aryahi Mukherjee as the Beggar Woman/Enchantress, and les Filles de la Ville (Saanvi Kant, Karina Martin, and Isabella Mazer) — helped fill the stage with movement, music, and energy, particularly in the bustling village scenes and the show’s big production numbers.
Director Neelam reflected on the significance of bringing this particular musical to the school stage, noting that the original animated film was the first of its kind to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, and that the Broadway adaptation became one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history.
With that legacy in mind, it had been “an absolute honor and joy” to work on the show alongside a “skilled and dedicated creative team and parent volunteers,” as well as a supportive school administration. Neelam praised Principal Mark Accardi, Vice Principal Meghan Moore, and Supervisor of Fine & Performing Arts K–12 Adam Warshafsky for their understanding of what it takes to stage a full production at the middle school level and for backing the arts in a meaningful way.
Most of all, he noted the students themselves, citing the “hard-working and talented” cast and crew and highlighting how they embraced the show’s message of acceptance, kindness, redemption, and empathy. The team expressed hope that the experience had been “transformative” for the young performers and that the memories “will stay with you for years to come.”
Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com