Beauty and the Beast

Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme.... you know the rest.

This fall you both worked very hard at EDA in the production of Beauty and the Beast.

I know we say this every time, and since I'm writing this from the future I can definitely tell you we will... but this was one of our FAVORITE plays (musicals) that you all have put on.

Julia, you were Madame de la Grand Bouche- the enchanted dresser- and you literally disappeared into your role. This was the first time, for me anyway, that you became a true "actor"... Madame didn't have a lot of screen time, but when you were there, whether you had a line or not, you WERE Madame. You were 'face acting' even when you didn't have lines or notes. And when you DID have lines and notes... holy enchanted cabinetry... you SOARED. Lyrical operatic amazing show-stopping descants, hilarious lines, spot-on accent work, flawless comedic delivery, Ride of the Valkyries, surprises in your drawers. You were an amazing Madame! And we saw this show on Broadway Dallas shortly thereafter...and you were - in my opinion- a bigger, brighter, funnier, bolder Madame than the pros!

And Julia, you were awarded the LEGACY AWARD!

Aidan, you were the butcher, the bloody, bloody butcher. The one who shouts "Kill the Beast!" You drunkenly hoisted your tankard to Gaston, you scoffed at crazy old Maurice, you helped to lead a mob attack and... in this show... you really began to flex you COMEDIC muscles. During the attack on the castle, when Babette the feather duster seduces you to distract you, your "ga ga" face was hilarious... and when Lumiere burns you in the butt you screamed in a spaghetti Italian accent that would make Mario proud... "Mama Mia!" A line which you improvised in rehearsals which Mr. Tom decided to add permanently to the show. You got the HUGEST laughs each night! There are no small roles, and you personified that in Beauty and the Beast! And... you're kind of a hero... don't forget that like 2 weeks before this performance... you had your tonsils out! You recovered fully, rallied like a hero, and took the stage without missing a beat!

And most importantly of all... you spent the semester and shared the stage having FUN with your friends; learning, growing and performing together. And THAT'S the most important thing of all!

We are so proud of you... and when I say "we"...I mean.., "WE! Oui Oui!"

Just watch and see for yourself!

Peter Pan!

Second star to the right and straight on till morning.

For the spring musicale, EDA put on Peter Pan Jr.!

We are SO proud of darling Julia as Peter Pan and amazing Aidan as Noodler the pirate/Toodles the Lost Boy!

Julia, since you've been taking lessons with Ms. Bonnie, your voice has matured and grown so much. You were an excellent Peter Pan...the stuff dreams are made of!

Aidan, you do such a good job with the stunts, and your lines, and your emoting- you even had your first vocal solo- and it was wonderful! You have grown so much!

A play about children and growing up is enough to make me cry as  I'm typing this, so I'll let others tell you both how great this production and play was!

Mr Tom said to Julia:

‘Here’s something I love about you Julia: some plays your the star, some plays youre soldier number 2, but whether you’re the star or soldier number 2 you give it your all, you are a professional, and humble and kind. You went from Annie to soldier number 2 for a few shows and now you’re Peter Pan… and you’ll be soldier number 2 again- but you’re always the same humble, wonderful, kind you and you always inhabit your role and give it all you’ve got - and that is an amazing skill to have for someone so young.’

Ms Amy said to Aidan:

‘This guy… Aidan… he has become our responsible, reliable leader. If someone’s lost, Aidan knows where they need to be and he can help them. And he shows so much emotion  in his acting - so much range. He feels everything! He has grown so much on stage and off, and we are so proud of him’

Julia: ‘me and my friends prayed to Taylor Swift backstage before the show that our sets would be in the right place, that we’d hit our marks and know our lines and sing well… And we did! Guys…. I nailed it!’ 

Aidan: I did so good! And we did so good! I asked all the girls and some of the boys for hugs backstage!

Julia: I don’t want it to be over 

Just think of happy thoughts as you watch these videos and remember how much fun you had this spring...singing, dancing, working hard, learning new lines and new songs, and making new friends.

Mom and I are so happy you had such a wonderful adventure...and we're even more glad that you chose to come back home from Neverland after all!