The Artesia High School Drama Program performed their rendition of Sleeping Beauty & the Beast this weekend in back-to-back Friday and Saturday night performances. The play written by Wade Bradford and directed by high school drama coach, Eugene Irby, hit the audience’s funny bone, delighted with a variety of technical surprises, and entertained with a handful of gimmicks.
The plot is a mashup of several different fairy tales and includes many familiar characters. According to the play’s synopsis the play follows, “Prince Charmless as he attempts with all his might to save Princess Rose from the Wicked Faerie and her sleep-induced curse. Along the way, Prince Charmless meets and befriends an adventurous Puss ‘N’ Boots, a snarling Snow White, the helpful Headless Horseman, and a very lonely Beast.”
Senior Katie Hauschild and Sophomore Walley Pando gave stellar performances Saturday night as the Good Witch of the West and Prince Frankie/the Beast respectively. Their energy electrified the stage competing with the special effects of the stage lighting to mimic lightning and as well as hilarious passes from a full-sized golf cart across the stage. Other wonderful performances included those by Journey Roberson as the Town Crier and Yudith Baeza as the Faerie Godfather. We’ve included the full cast list below to highlight all of Artesia’s fantastic drama students. Well done, all!
Cast Members
Prince Charmless– Nathan Pando
Princess Rose– Allahnah Munoz
Prince Frankie/The Beast– Walley Pando
Snow White– Nicole Johnson
Puss N’ Boots– Graciella Galindo
Headless Horseman– Kevin Valles
The Wicked Faerie– Ruby Chastain
Igor– Jackson Bondley
The Good Witch of the West– Katie Hauschild
The Faerie Godfather– Yudith Baeza
Vinnie– Janae Thompson
The King– Logan Hammer
The Queen– Kiana Tupou
Step Sister #1– Ciara Ramirez
Step Sister #2/Narrator– Loivia Nielson
Real Estate Lade–Lauren Combs
Dwarf Guard #1– Jaden Olvera
Dwarf Guard #2– Abriana Cardona
Town Crier– Journey Roberson
