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!

Frozen Forever!

 Some people are worth melting for!

...and my king... and my princess, you two are certainly worth it!

This fall at EDA, you both- and a bunch of your friends (new and old)- put on Frozen Jr!

Julia, you got to be Young Anna- which is exactly who you wanted to be!

Aidan, you were the King, as well as guard, and a Hygge-hippy person. You got to continue your record of being characters that don't quite live until the end of the show!

You were amazing; and brought tears to my eyes and pride to my heart!

Aidan, I'll never forget how proud you were to wear that crown. So proud, in fact, that after the king had died and you were now playing a guard that you apparently snuck the crown back ...and wore it on stage...just because you wanted to wear it so badly! You worked so hard to memorize your lines and got major props from the Director for not just reading them, but emoting...and acting!

Julia, I'll never forget how you and your bff Zoey got to play Elsa and Anna...and how you choreographed your own secret handshake for one of the songs. I'll also never forget you amazing solos, Julia...and how you shown as ensemble and elegantly twirled and swirled to toss a used prop off stage.

You're a born performer, and this was kind of your biggest role yet. You had so much fun and worked so hard! You are amazing!

Alright, the past is in the past- I'll stop reminiscing now... and show you guys what you really want to see...the videos!

Remember: Love will thaw!