Beauty and the Beast

This year's fall musical is "family fare" and a "family affair".

Story by Shelly Franklin

Hallyn Boggs, age 8, and her sister Morgan, age 4, are actresses with high aspirations. Both girls, along with their mother, Kim Boggs, are part of the Fall TVAC production of Beauty and the Beast. Hallen describes her role as "An aristocratic lady's daughter." She also adds enthusiastically, "The aristocratic lady is my school librarian! I have to copycat Roz. When she puts her nose in the air, I have to put mine in the air." Hallyn has played several animal and plant roles in her acting career; among them, a skunk, Venus fly trap and wolf pup. "My favorite part has been the wolf pup, but I really liked being an orphan in Oliver too!" Hallyn is just waiting to get big enough for a bigger role.

Morgan decided she wanted to be a part of the action along with her sister. "My sister was really big and loud and I wanted to do it too!" Although Morgan herself has no lines, she is eager to recite the most important of instructions, "Don't play when its time to sing". She says, "I never get tired, My feet might get tired, but never my acting!"

Hallyn and Morgan's mom, Kim, is a first time actress herself who works in "real life" as an attorney for the Nealey and Marinella law firm. Kim admits, "The hardest part for me is singing in front of people." The theater rules require that children under the age of 14 be supervised by an adult in order to participate. Kim, who along with her husband Jon spent many an evening supervising children at the theater, finally decided to become involved herself with her girls. "It seemed so fun, the group was like a family, and I wanted to give it a try." Kim recommends participating as a family. She has enjoyed seeing her daughters gain poise and confidence.

The Chapman family has been involved in the theater for the past 5 years. Andy Chapman is the owner-operator of Chapman's Heating and Brenda is a 6th grade teacher at Dayton Elementary. Both Andy and Brenda grew up in Dayton and have been pleased to be able to raise their two daughters - Abby, age 13, and Ally, age 8 - here as well. Abby started out as a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz and got hooked. "I like seeing everybody again, the cast…. I like performing and I like the late nights!" says Abby. She loves her friends here and feels at home in the theater. Abby's favorite role was Charlie Bates in Oliver last season. Abby also played the part of Marta Von Trapp in the Sound of Music. Abby admits that she would rather play a "person" than a "plate", as she does in parts of this season's production. Her favorite scene is the "bar scene" in Beauty and the Beast.

Ally's favorite role was of Gretel Von Trapp in the Sound of Music when she was just 6 years old. During that show Ally presented the director with her 12 rules of the theater. Among them: "No playing with the curtains. Listen for your cue. Look at the audience. And no matter what, do your best. Even if you're just a little part…don't drop out, ‘cause you're important." Ally loves practice at the church and enjoys telling about the time her older sister jumped in the big mud puddle behind the theater. Ally is playing the part of a footstool and is pretty well enjoying the fellowship which exists among many of the small actors and actresses who are animatedly playing inanimate objects.

Brenda loves to see her "past and current students in different venues." Being part of the theater together with her daughters and her husband is a wonderful family activity. She also choreographs many of the dance numbers. She works with a great team – Kim Grimshaw and Darla Anderson. She also plays the part of a "silly girl" in this show. Brenda's face lights up as she exclaims, "What we all love the most is when Mary Luce shows up with our costumes!"

Andy is the "lights" guy. He decided to join the rest of his family at the theater. He really likes the theater and enjoys video taping for the shows. He has worked several years on the production end of things. The lights, props, curtains and sound are essential to the success of any show. Andy admits, "I am always amazed at the talent I see coming from our small community."

Steve Edwards was called to Dayton in 1993 to be the pastor of the First Congregational Church. His wife Roslyn and children came along too.

The Edwards family has always enjoyed theater. Roslyn remembers, "When our kids got old enough, we tried out for plays together. When our oldest son, Thorin, was in high school in Kettle Falls, we all got into being on stage."

Roslyn was in love with theater from the time she herself was still in high school. When she and Steve met she didn't know that he too had a love for performing, but they soon discovered their mutual interest and began performing together in gospel bands and melodramas for their church and other local organizations. "Steve once played a character called Roy NoNukes in a local production written by a citizen of Kettle Falls. He had to carry a guitar and pretend to be a hippie sort of guy. Our daughter Beth loved acting. Our sons, Thorin and Ben, joined in the band on stage."

Beth and Roslyn auditioned together for The Music Man, the first play performed at the Liberty Theater. Steve directed that play and Ben filled in as an instrumentalist. Beth and Roslyn each played main characters in the show. Since that time, the Edwards children have grown and moved away from home. Steve and Roslyn have continued to be involved together in the theater because they still love the family atmosphere that has become a tradition. Roslyn just happens to be, "that aristocratic lady who is also a librarian."

Copyright (c) 2007, Blue Mountain News

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