The Alburtis Elementary Theater Program presents Disney’s “Beauty and the Breast JR” 7 p.m. March 27 and 2 and 7 p.m. March 28 in the school auditorium. Senior Citizen Night is 7 p.m. March 25

The elementary students have been preparing for this production since November 2025.

Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast JR” is a fairy tale about a kind and intelligent Belle who takes her father’s place as prisoner of a hideous beast in his enchanted castle. She learns to look past the beast’s rough exterior and falls in love with his kind heart. This breaks a curse placed on the beast turning him back into a prince as well as his servants. However, a villager Gaston wants to marry Belle and leads a mob to kill the beast out of jealousy and fear. Belle is able to profess her love just in time, breaking the spell and allowing them to live happily ever after.

Directors Francine Confer, Garrett Deppe, John Guignet and Oksana Keretz unite once again to provide the community with an outstanding production. Kallie Barnes is perfect as Belle. Whether reading her books or dancing with the beast, Barnes beams with kindness and elegance while balancing her fiery side defending her father against the villagers and Gaston.

David Vinosky portrays a frustrated and at times, defeated beast. Vinosky’s princely nature is evident in the concluding scenes when he unveils his true human side. Leo Stenger brings the necessary components to the character of Gaston. He ignites the villagers in his quest for Belle. Corbin Trexler (LeFou), Noah McDonald (Maurice), Aaron Cooke (Cogsworth), Lily Ferro (Lumiere), Hannah Oxford (Mrs. Potts), Mercy Ruben (Chip), Madi Ottinger (Babette), and Quinn DeLong (Madame De La Grande Bouche) provide a supportive network of characters that brings this “tale as old as time” to life.

Additional cast members include: Shelbie Adu, Abrianna Almanzar, Charlotte Barreca, Callie Bierce, Syncere Colon, Sophie Crippen, Zoey Dietrich, Weston Eerbrick, Luciana Gonzalez, Kylie Hackett, Aida Ismail, Paislee Kulp, Brandon Makhoul, Nicole Mateia, Riley McNicholas, Cain Nevin, Adison Owens, Blake Perez, Lilly Quier, Aaliyah Rivera, Noah Rivera, Scarlet Seibert, McKenzie Seimes, Israel St. Juste, Tiffany Stumpf, Dragon Swenson, Sincere Taylor, Mahi Vegda, Alexis Whitman, Morgan Wimmer and Noah Woodis.

Stage crew members include: Andrew Rinker, Liam Wolbach, Reed Seimes, Matthew Mease, Liam Mateo, Owen Prudente, and Roran Orach.

Art teacher Jill Schrader and students in her set design club designed, cut and painted all the scenery for the production. Nicole Mateia Bitlan won the drawing contest with her interpretation of Belle. The production is a team effort of students, staff, parents and community businesses and supporters.