The Belle of our halls: Diehl stars in local production of “Beauty and the Beast”
Senior Ellen Diehl is cast to play Belle in the Chambersburg Community Theater’s “Beauty and the Beast”
Senior Ellen Diehl scored the main role of Belle in a theater production of Beauty and the Beast. The musical is being produced by the Chambersburg Community Theater.
Diehl originally heard about a casting call for the production on the social media platform, Facebook. Since auditioning for the role of Belle was a last minute decision, Diehl didn’t have time to be nervous.
“My friend told me about it on Facebook a few days before the auditions and I went on a whim and tried out that day. I didn’t expect a call an hour after the audition that offered me the part [as Belle],” Diehl said.
One of Diehl’s friends, senior Jenny Morris expressed her joy over her friend’s main role.
“I was happy for her. I knew she was nervous because Belle is not a character for her voice part, but she’s rocking it–she’s just amazing.” Morris said.
To prepare for the role, Diehl watched videos on YouTube to see how other actresses portray Belle in addition to the Disney movie as well.
Ellen Diehl performing in the CHS musical, “The Addams Family” as Wednesday Addams last year.
This is also not the first time Diehl has had a main role; last year she was cast as Wednesday Adams in the CHS musical, The Addams Family.
“I had only done the school play last year so I [didn’t] have that much experience doing school plays,” Diehl admitted.
“She’s very talented, and she’s able to get into character, even though this is only her third show she’s been in. Based off how she portrayed Wednesday in musical last year she’s capable of playing Belle.” Morris added.
Community theater productions hold a slightly different atmosphere than school productions.
“It’s a little bit different because not everyone knows each other and there is a wide range of ages,” Diehl said. “It’s a little bit more professional.”
This Beauty and the Beast varies from the film; there is more character development and Belle and the Beast’s relationship goes more in depth, which makes the relationship more realistic. The musical is under the direction of Vicki Gontz,
“I can tell that [Vicki] loves the show so much and cares deeply for the characters and wants it to be seen in the best light,” Diehl said.
The Chambersburg Community Theater will present Beauty and The Beast on November 4-6 and 11-13. You can purchase tickets here.
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