Cast 2: As Mrs. Potts sings Tale as Old as Time, Belle and the Beast waltz through the castle. "Each year the fifth grade production is more amazing," commented Garden City's Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen after attending Stratford School's performance of Alan Menken's Disney musical Beauty and the Beast. "The talent of these students is truly remarkable." Dr. Feirsen and New York State Regent Roger Tilles attended an afternoon performance of the show as part of Regent Tilles' tour of the Garden City Public Schools on April 2nd.

Directed by music teacher Meredith Stillwell, the show was performed by two separate fifth grade casts for four shows on April 2nd and 3rd, and "brought down the house" with each toe-tapping, sing-along performance.

Our thanks and congratulations go out to all of the students, both on stage and behind-the-scenes, for this highly entertaining production; as well as to the student, parent, family and business boosters, Stratford's supportive parents, Principal Diane Hopkins, and to all those who helped make Beauty and the Beast possible: assistant directors - Mrs. Lauren Bowler, Ms. Michelle Ciquera, Mrs. Laura Connolly, Mrs. Marge DiMartino, Mrs. Leigh Dowden, Mrs. Elizabeth Dukeman, Mrs. Eileen Hoey, Mrs. Maddie Keegan, Mrs. Robyn Madden, Mr. Kevin Pollitt (also sound director); choreographer Mrs. Debbie Tavernese; backdrop designer Mr. George Lucas, and stage crew coordinator Mr. Richard Madden.

Cast 2: Belle sings of life in "this most provincial town."

Cast 2: After treating the enchantress badly, she casts a spell on the prince, turning him into an ugly beast. Cast 2: Gaston, with help from his accomplice Lefou, sings and dances during a rousing salute to himself. Cast 1: When the Beast falls in love with Belle, the enchantress' spell is broken and the Beast is transformed back into a prince. Cast 1: Lumiere and Cogsworth discuss how to teach the beast to be nice to "Belle," their new castle guest. Cast 2: His heart set on marrying Belle, Guston is unimpressed by the matrimonial pleas of his suitors. Cast 2: As Chip and Mrs. Potts offer words of encouragement, the Beast puts forth his best effort to charm Belle over dinner. Cast 2: Angry at his castle trespass, the beast confronts Belle's father. Cast 1: Belle's father is taken aback when he discovers that the castle's dishes can speak to him. Cast 1: Belle sings about her love of reading stories as the chorus of town's people sings about the beautiful, but "unusual" Belle. Cast 1: Villagers join in to sing a salute to boastful Gaston. Cast 1: Belle shares her love of books and reading with the Beast. Cast 1: Gaston listens as a group of village admirers try to win his heart.