Every Thursday, we publish live music and performance events at pubs and clubs in Peterborough and The Kawarthas based on information that venues provide to us directly or post on their website or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, December 5 to Wednesday, December 11.

If you’re a pub or club owner and want to be included in our weekly listings, please email our Nightlife Editor at nightlife@kawarthanow.com.

There are only a handful of tickets left if you want to see 4th Line Theatre’s new Christmas show The Fool of Cavan: A Christmas Caper.

Written by Lindy Finlan and directed by 4th Line’s managing artistic director Kim Blackwell, The Fool of Cavan is 4th Line’s newest outdoor holiday show, which starts at St. Thomas Anglican Church and brings the story out into the streets of Millbrook using the village as the story’s backdrop.

Filled with mystery, music, fun, and just a bit of old world magic, The Fool of Cavan is a perfect holiday outing for the entire family.

Set in 1964, The Fool of Cavan opens with progressive Reverend Peter Green (Mark Hiscox) and his uptight sister Euna Wyndham (Megan Murphy) finding themselves at odds over a local rock band, The Needlers, performing at the church’s Christmas pageant. However, bigger issues than if Millbrook is ready for rock n’ roll arise when strange happenings begin at the church.

Strange ghostly sounds have been heard, and the costumes for the children’s Christmas play suddenly go missing. When Euna blames the rock group — made up of teen detective Joanie Sweetnam (Erin Humphry) and her friends Evie (Sarah Flanigan), Billy (Tristan Peirce), and Eddie (Ryan Tobin) — the kids reveal that their instruments have gone missing too.

When accusations and insinuations fly, the members of the church are visited by a mysterious figure dressed up as a fox, leading the characters outside where they witness a group of mysterious costumed revellers dancing through the streets. Out to clear their names and find their instruments before the Christmas concert, Joanie and her gang take on the case and follow the clues to discover the identity of The Fool of Cavan.

The second holiday show for 4th Line Theatre, The Fool of Cavan is a welcome follow up to last year’s successful show The Other. However, while The Other was filled with heavy dramatic overtones, The Fool of Cavan goes in an entirely different direction. The show is pure nostalgic enjoyment, unapologetically inspired by Nancy Drew mixed with Scooby Doo.

When watching The Fool of Cavan, I often felt like I was watching an animated holiday special from days of Christmas past, but acted out live in front of me. The show has a strange rhythm to it, where the actors are larger than life and slightly over the top, which creates the illusion of cartoon fun.

The character of girl detective Joanie Sweetnam, played by Erin Humphry, is a fun and inspired concept that really appeals to me. Growing up, I was a huge fan of girl detective fiction and still have my Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, and Dana Girl Mystery books in my bookcases. So 4th Line Theatre resurrecting the genre in a live-action holiday play was a true treat for me, and will appeal to adults who grew up on this brand of storytelling, as well as the new generation of kids who will fall head first into the mystery as it unfolds.

The characters in the show are fairly one dimensional, but this allows the audience to get to know the players quickly without being bogged down in character and back story so that the journey through Millbrook can take centre stage. All characters in the show have their own distinct character traits. Joanie is spunky and clever, Reverend Greene is sensible, Eunice is a busy body, Eddie is a fraidy cat, Evie is a rebel, and Billy is a goofball.

There’s also a romantic subplot involving Joanie’s mother Dolly (Laurel Paluck) and church elder Dunnie (JD Nicholsen), as well as fun character parts by Matt Gilbert as Eunice’s alcoholic husband Willy and Katrina McGahon as Eddie’s cooler sister Speedy.

The force that drives the audience through the streets are the mysterious figures dancing through Millbrook. Garbed in costumes by Madison Costello and masks designed by Brad Brackenridge, the figures have a magical old-world quality to them, harkening back to pagan rituals and old European traditions.

Ravens, foxes, stags and a plague doctor mingle with other mystical beasts, led by the so-called “Fool of Cavan” who bears resemblance to a yeti or a wendigo. Eerie and strange, with a sense of wonder and whimsy, these figures add atmosphere and magic to the show.

But, once again, the true star of the show is the village of Millbrook itself. Staging the play in scenic neighbourhoods, local landmarks and well-scouted locations, the walking tour through the village is beautiful, and instills a festive feeling in the crowd. Furthermore, the use of St. Thomas’ Anglican Church as the home base for the show — which ends in an old-fashioned Christmas concert all its own — is a brilliant touch that brings up even more nostalgic memories of Christmas pageants gone by.

There is a beautiful Canadian country feel to the entire experience, which reminds the audience that the holiday season isn’t about office parties, busy malls, and credit card debt. It’s about community, friends, music, and a little bit of holiday magic.

4th Line Theatre’s holiday productions are a wondrous and welcomed addition to the company’s yearly programming. The walk through Millbrook is truly magical, and the festive spirit runs high. The Fool of Cavan is a wonderful addition into what hopefully will be a continuing holiday tradition for local audiences.

Note that the outside portion of the performance runs for 40 minutes, and audiences will travel snow covered streets and paths, so dress for the elements and be prepared for the physical nature of the show.

The Fool of Cavan: A Christmas Caper runs for seven more performances (December 6th, 7th, and 10th to 14th), but all performances are now sold out except for the Wednesday, December 11th one. The show begins at St. Thomas Anglican Church (16 Centre St., Millbrook) at 7 p.m., but audience members are asked to be gathered by 6:30 p.m..

Advance tickets can be purchased by phone at 705-932-4445, online at www.4thlinetheatre.ca, at 4th Line Theatre’s box office in Millbrook at 4 Tupper Street and in Peterborough at the Peterborough Museum and Archives at 300 Hunter Street East (atop Armor Hill).

Happy holiday season, everyone! Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, this is a great time of year to spend some quality time with family, friends, and loved ones.

This can be a time of extremes, with bustling days making way for cozy nights. However, it’s also a fantastic time to take in some live music.

There is a little something for everyone in Peterborough and the Kawarthas this month! Here are just a few of the shows.

Heather Rankin at the Market Hall in Peterborough on December 5

On Thursday, December 5th, there’ll be a ton of Christmas spirit in the room when Nova Scotia’s Heather Rankin brings her “Picture Perfect Christmas” show to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).

Rankin, part of the acclaimed family band The Rankin Family, performs a mix of seasonal tunes and original songs as well. “Picture Perfect” is the name of a tune from Rankin’s 2018 Christmas album Imagine.

Full of ‘rollicking East Coast charm’, the show begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are $35 for general admission and $40 for an assigned cabaret table seat. You can purchase tickets the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.

VIDEO: “Picture Perfect” – Heather Rankin

The West End Riverboat Band at the Garnet in Peterborough on December 5

There will be a delta speakeasy feel at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Thursday, December 5th when The West End Riverboat Band takes the stage at 10 p.m.

The trio — John Williams (clarinet, harmonica, vocals), Ben Lee (tenor banjo, guitar, vocals), and Chris Adriaanse (stand-up bass) — performs old folk jazz and blues in a stompin’ New Orleans style.

It’s going to be a perfect night to enjoy some drinks and feel the music. Tickets are $10 (or pay what you can) at the door.

VIDEO: “Fidgety Feet” – The West End Riverboard Band

In From The Cold Christmas concert at the Market Hall in Peterborough on December 6 and 7

In From the Cold, one of Peterborough’s most-beloved musical holiday traditions, returns for its 20th year to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) on Friday, December 6th and Saturday, December 7th.

A fundraiser for YES Shelter for Youth and Families, the annual Christmas concert features Celtic and contemporary carols and seasonal songs. Musicians include Carried Away (John Hoffman, Susan Newman, and Rob Fortin), The Convivio Chorus, Enrique “Roy” Claveer (aka Curtis Driedger), fingerstyle guitarist Michael Ketemer, and Celtic harpist Tanah Haney.

Get into the Christmas spirit by heading to Market Hall for one of the two performances. Tickets are $20 for general admission ($15 for students/children). Get them at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.

VIDEO: “In From The Cold” by Rodney Fuentes (2016)

Sultans of String at Victoria Hall in Cobourg on December 8

Folks in the Cobourg and Port Hope area can also get into the spirit of the holidays when Sultans of String brings their “Christmas Caravan” show to The Concert Hall at Victoria Hall (55 King St. W., Cobourg, 1-855-372-2210) on Sunday, December 8th at 3 p.m.

The 2015 Juno award winners serve up a hot eclectic mix of music ranging from fiery fiddle tunes to Turkish-inspired songs to Caribbean sleigh ride songs — and even Django Reinhardt-inspired Gypsy jazz.

Tickets are $39 plus fees and you can get them online at tickets.cobourg.ca.

VIDEO: Christmas Caravan – Sultans of String

The Weber Brothers at the Red Dog in Peterborough on December 14

Peterborough residents and long-time adopted favourites The Weber Brothers present their Weber Brothers Christmas concert at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710) on Saturday, December 14th.

Sam and Ryan Weber first moved to the area from Maryland to perform with Ronnie Hawkins around 2000, and have since toured Canada and beyond countless times. This show will be full of their high-octane energy and musicianship and is sure to include some special guests.

Tickets will be available at the door and the shows begins at 8 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will be going to the Brock Mission.

P.S. There will be a screening of The Weber Brothers’ holiday film When Christmas Falls On Peterborough at the Galaxy Cinemas in downtown Peterborough at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11th. Tickets are free and available in advance at the theatre box office, but a donation to the Brock Mission on the evening of the screening would be appreciated.

“When Christmas Falls On Peterborough” – The Weber Brothers

Pays d’en Haut at The Garnet in Peterborough on December 21

Check out some awesome Cajun-inspired tunes on Saturday, December 21st at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) with Peterborough’s own Pays d’en Haut.

The group includes Curtis Driedger, Benj Rowland (Mayhemingways), Matt Watson, Jim Gleason, and Leslie McGrath. They perform classic Cajun tunes that are perfect for dancing on a cold night — which happens to be the first night of winter.

Tickets will be available at the door and the show runs from 8 to 11 p.m. Aiiieee!

VIDEO: “Tit Galop Pour Mamou / Bayou Noir” – Pays d’en Haut

Blue Rodeo with Elliott Brood at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on December 27

Bailieboro’s own Jimmy Bowskill will join Jim Cuddy, Greg Keelor, and the rest of Blue Rodeo on Friday, December 27th when the band returns for the second year in a row to perform at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (151 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough, 705-743-3561).

This will be a killer show full of their best tunes. Who wouldn’t want to sing along with hits like “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet”, “5 Days in May”, “Til I Am Myself Again”, and “Lost Together”?

Opening the show will be “death-grass” band Elliott Brood.

Tickets range from $45 to $89.50 and area available at the Peterborough Memorial Centre or online at tickets.memorialcentre.ca.

VIDEO: “I Can’t Hide This Anymore” – Blue Rodeo

VIDEO: “Lost Together” – Blue Rodeo

The Rocket Revue at the Market Hall in Peterborough on December 28

It’s been a couple of years since The Rocket Revue treated Peterborough to their full big-band rhythm and blues, rockabilly, and blues sound.

On Saturday, December 28th at 8 p.m. at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146), the band gets back together for a celebration of 20 years and also as a tribute to former bandmate and friend, the late Buzz Thompson.

There’ll be familiar faces like Bobby Watson, JP Hovercraft, Rob Phillips, Greg Weichel, and more. Musical guests include The Weber Brothers, Jerome Godboo, Bridget Foley, and Jane Archer.

You’ll dance, you’ll sway, and everything will be okay at this super fun show. Tickets are $45 for general admission and $50 for assigned cabaret seats. Get them the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.

VIDEO: “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder performed by The Rocket Revue

Dub Trinity at The Garnet in Peterborough on December 30

Just before New Year’s Eve, Dub Trinity brings their reggae, ska, and dub stylings to The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Tuesday, December 30th.

The band has been a going concern in Peterborough’s music scene for many years now. Let the bass go through you as you enjoy originals, Bob Marley tunes, and many other great selections from the world of reggae.

It’s a perfect way to dance away 2019. Tickets will be $10 at the door and the show will begin around 8 p.m.

VIDEO: Dub Trinity at the Red Dog

This December, join in some local events in the spirit of Christmas and of community. Spend an evening participating in a parade, or buy some home-grown handmade gifts at a local art and craft sale. A few of these events are listed here, and many more will crop up during the Christmas season. Don’t forget about church fundraisers and donations to local shelters and food banks!

Calling all artists: submissions are open for a multi-arts festival to happen at King George School in 2021! Erring at King George is in the making, and the deadline for submissions is February 2nd, 2020. And another hopping First Friday in downtown Peterborough is coming our way on Friday, December 6th.

Open studios and markets on First Friday in downtown Peterborough on December 6

The ever-popular First Friday art crawl returns to downtown Peterborough on Friday, December 6th.

Artists Victoria Wallace, Marcia Watt, and Miguel Hernandez will once again be opening their shared studio space at 280 Perry Street (Unit 10A) to the public. They will be open from 6 p.m. until around 10 p.m. There will be live music by singer and guitarist extraordinaire, Mitchell Wallace, who just happens to be Victoria’s brother! The music starts at at 7:30 p.m. and, in keeping with the season, there will be a series of smaller paintings in oils, encaustic, and acrylic media up for sale. Drop by for light refreshments, and a festive atmosphere!

Ash Nayler’s new photography studio at 140 Hunter Street West (on the third floor) will also be open to the public on the same evening from 6 until 11 p.m. with a selection of tasty nibbles, a signature cocktail, and a selection of local makers selling handmade goods.

VIDEO: First Friday Art Crawl

At Atelier Ludmila (129 1/2 Hunter Street West, second floor), you will find a Winter Market featuring art and handcrafted goodies.

Of course, don’t forget to pop by Acme Art and Sailboat Company and the Copper Closet (129-1/2 Hunter Street West, 3rd floor), Watson & Lou (383 Water Street), and Meta4 Gallery (164 Hunter Street West) to see what they have up their sleeves!

This holiday season, there is really no excuse not to shop local with markets around absolutely every corner.

For more details on First Friday, including a map, visit firstfridayptbo.com and follow First Friday Peterborough on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Holiday Craft Sale at the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre in Peterborough on December 7

On Saturday, December 7th, you can drop by the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre in Peterborough to kick off your Christmas shopping.

There will be baked goods, crafts, refreshments and more. Open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. you will have lots of time to peruse the goods — and then pop over to the the Artisan Fair in Peterborough’s East City and the Finer Things Show and Sale in downtown Peterborough (more details below).

The Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre is located at 580 Cameron Street (south of Kenner Collegiate) in Peterborough. The centre can be reached by phone at 705-775-0387. For more information about the holiday craft fair or to book a table, email Diane Sheridan at apn@nogofc.ca.

Artisan Fair at Mark Street United Church in Peterborough’s East City on December 7

On Saturday, December 7th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be lots to see at The Artisan Fair at Mark Street United Church in Peterborough’s East City.

Featuring handmade jewellery, pottery, fine woodworking, knitting and more, you will find wares from artisans around the area. Check it out before or after visiting the Holiday Craft Sale at the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, and afterwards you can head over to the Finer Things Show and Sale in downtown Peterborough.

The Artisan Fair is located at Mark St. United Church at 90 Hunter Street East in Peterborough. To see some of the items that will be available, visit facebook.com/artisanfair/.

Finer Things Show and Sale at Seeds of Change on downtown Peterborough on December 7

On Saturday, December 7th from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the Finer Things Show and Sale will be bringing you a spectacular pop-up marketplace with treats, draws, and more.

Drop by and see their selection of finely crafted treasures by regional artists and makers.

Vendors include Aitkin and Hyde, Bella Grey, Brad Copping, Carnival of Kitsch, Charcoal and Rose Petals, Christianna Furguson, Christy Haldane, David Hickey, Fanciful Dolls, Hard Winter Bread Company, Kawartha Lakes Fudge, Keetarella, L’immaginaria, Little Miss Knotty, Messervey Works, Modelia, Olive Cedar Studios, Petals and Elizabeth, Rob Niezen, the Sewing Collective, Sweet Song Herbals, and Wooden Alternatives.

There will be a $5 admission charge, part of which will go towards a bursary for after school programming at the event’s organizer Madderhouse Textile Studios.

To peruse vendors ahead of time, visit finerthingsshow.ca.

The Finer Things Show and Sale takes place at Seeds of Change, located in Emmanuel United Church at 534 George Street North in downtown Peterborough.

15th annual Focus Fair at The Theatre on King in downtown Peterborough on December 14th and 15th

For the last 15 years, a group of local artists and makers have been organizing the Focus Fair, an indie holiday arts and crafts sale.

Featuring handmade textiles, visual art, skincare products, letterpress prints, cards, kids accessories, and more, there will be lots to see as you enjoy the festive atmosphere.

The Focus Fair will be be held at The Theatre on King at 171 King Street in downtown Peterborough. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 14th and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 15th.

Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Parade and Pantomime in downtown Peterborough on December 21

On Saturday, December 21st, members of the community are invited to celebrate the winter solstice by gathering at the Peterborough Public Library Commons to join in this annual lantern parade and drummer-led dance through the streets of downtown Peterborough.

The parade will bring you to Peterborough Square where a pantomime will be enacted with live music. There, foxes, crows, wolves and other woodland creatures will tell you the story of Granny and Starchild, a play to delight one and all.

Grab your lanterns and join in the fun! This event begins on Saturday, December 21st at 6 p.m. beside the Peterborough Public Library (southwest corner of Simcoe and Aylmer streets).

Peterborough multi-arts festival Erring at King George now accepting applications

Artspace in Peterborough is now accepting proposals for Erring at King George, a multi-arts festival presented in partnership with Public Energy Performing Arts and the Art Gallery of Peterborough.

Professional, emerging, mid-career and senior artists, along with curators and collectives working in all mediums, are encouraged to apply. They are looking for site-specific pieces that take the history of King George Public School in Peterborough’s East City into account.

Experimental and socially engaged proposals are encouraged. The proposals can be for one space or for multiple spaces inside King George Public School, or the exterior and the grounds around the building.

The submission deadline is February 2, 2020, with the festival scheduled to take place in May 2021.

For more information about the site or the application process, visit artspace-arc.org/calls/call-for-submission/ or contact Hannah Keating at hannah@artspace-arc.org or 705-748-3883.

From December 5th to 7th, the students from the integrated arts program at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School (TAS) in Peterborough bring the Disney classic Beauty and The Beast to the TAS auditorium stage.

Directed by Jessica Sisson with music direction by Ben Jackson and Justin Hiscox, Beauty and the Beast features a powerhouse cast of young performers who bring all of the magic, music, and beloved characters from the film to life on the stage, making it a perfect holiday treat for all ages.

In 1991, Walt Disney Studios released their film version of Beauty and the Beast, based on the classic 18th-century fairy tale by French writer Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, and it quickly became one of Disney’s most important and successful animated films in the history of the studio. Receiving six Oscar nominations over four categories, the film won Oscars for best musical score and best song for “Beauty and the Beast”, and made history for being the first animated film to ever be nominated in the best picture category. The film continues to retain its popularity today, proving its timeless appeal to audiences.

After a revitalization of their animation department in the early ’90s, Walt Disney Productions were looking to expand into other areas of entertainment and chose Beauty and the Beast to be their first foray into Broadway under the heading of Walt Disney Theatrical.

Opening at the Palace Theatre in 1994 and running until 2007, the musical version expanded on many of the characters and included new songs not in the film. The musical was an immediate hit, allowing Disney to expand its takeover of Broadway with further massive productions such as The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Mary Poppins.

“Beauty and the Beast is truly a tale as old as time,” says Aiden Playford, who takes on the role of The Beast in the TAS production. “It just keeps coming back again and again. Regardless of how long ago it came out, it’ll always be regarded as a classic Disney Princess movie. Everybody knows Belle’s yellow dress and the rose and the characters.”

“Although it has so many plot points of the movie, there is so much more that’s been adapted for the stage musical. There is so much more depth to characters. In the movie, the Beast doesn’t do much more than be angry and then dance and then be sad. In the musical, he has songs that express how he feels towards Belle. Everybody in the show has a chance to bring something deeper to their characters.”

While the production features 19 students from director Jessica Sisson’s drama class, creating the show has been a project that involves far more than just the drama department. It also involves students from across the entire school, with different departments creating the costumes, set, and choreography for the show.

“What I love about the integrated arts program is that I have students from all IA (integrated arts) disciplines,” Jessica says. “I have theatre students, music students, visual art students, and dancers.”

“What’s nice is that the IA program drives home the idea of collaboration, creativity, and community. The musical is a perfect example of how we are able to create together and how we are able to collaborate and produce something that is for the community.”

In the key role of the show’s heroine Belle is Aimée Gordon, who beautifully brings her character to life on stage. A fine actress and a powerful singer, Aimée is perfectly cast as one of Disney’s most beloved and recognizable characters. Absolutely enchanting on stage, Aimée makes the character very real for the audience.

“This has been an amazing role to get to play, because it’s such an iconic character and everybody knows it,” Aimée says. “Everyone has a preconceived notion of who Belle is. It’s kind of intimidating, but it’s also kind of comforting. When you step on stage you know that everybody knows you, everybody has a feel for your character, and everybody likes you.”

“So I get to play around with that a lot by adding some things that have a bit of myself into her, allowing her to become more than just a Disney Princess by turning her into a full-fledged character.”

On that note, Aimée reveals there is a side to her version of the character that goes beyond the Disney version.

“She’s a lot less nice to everyone,” Aimée explains. “She wants to act like she’s nice to everyone, but she’s really not — she thinks about them exactly how they think about her. In the show Belle goes through a change as well. You can see the change that Belle goes through about not judging people until you get to know their situation, which the Disney film didn’t explore.”

To transform himself into The Beast, Aiden Playford created his own impressive mask and make up.

“We have a two-piece prosthetic and there’s also a giant wig he wears,” Aiden says. “It’s fairly similar to the Broadway design, instead of the movie. He wears a huge shirt with rips in it, and his hunch has ruined his clothes.”

When talking to Aiden about his take on his character (he plays The Beast with a great deal of sensitivity and pathos), I found out he connects with The Beast so well that often it was confusing if he was talking about himself or his character.

“Obviously there is a huge difference between me and The Beast,” Aiden says. I’m not a monster, or a wolf, or whatever he is. But I think, personality wise, the Beast and I are a lot the same. A lot of people think I’m this big tall large guy who’s a bit intimidating, but I have a soft side and I take things to heart.”

“The Beast is confused and angry in the beginning, and he doesn’t have a grasp on what love is. He wants love, but he doesn’t know what it means. It’s an interesting part to play because he goes from being a monster to a softy who cries and hugs.”

With a big voice and tons of bravado, Isaac Maker takes on the role of the villainous Gaston.

“It’s been a fun character to play,” Isaac says. “The chemistry between Gaston and Belle is great, and the chemistry between him and his sidekick Lefou (played by Casey Hall) is so fun. There is a strong connection between them. Gaston thinks of himself as a big scary guy, but he has a soft spot for Lefou. It’s been fun being creepy. I don’t get to do that very often.”

One of the most notable elements that makes the stage version of Beauty and the Beast different from the film is the expansion of the personalities and relationships between the memorable secondary characters, who in the film are made up of anthropomorphic household objects that were once human but were transformed by The Beast’s curse.

So they do not lose their humanity completely, they plot to break the curse by having The Beast find true love with Belle. Donning clever costumes created by Jessica Sisson’s Grade 10 fashion class, these characters create the magic in the show, and are fronted by Adam Airhart as Lumiere the Candelabra, Annika Goeckel as Cogsworth the Clock, and Lena Ross as Mrs. Potts the Teapot.

With a sense of flare and tons of heart, Adam puts a lot of personality and spirit into Lumiere, who shines bright upon the production.

“Lumiere is the hope and the passion and the energy of the castle,” Adam explains. “Mrs. Potts is always caring for everyone, and Cogsworth is very uptight. Lumiere keeps order and balance. What’s missing from life in the castle is this feeling of wanting to be human. It’s more of a have and less of a want. Lumiere takes that and put a lot of energy into it, as seen in the song Be Our Guest. That’s who Lumiere is — he’s the feeling of fire. He takes every opportunity to take the feeling of want and turns it into the feeling of having.”

Adam’s cohort on stage is Annika, who gives a wonderfully funny performance as Cogsworth. Whimsical both on and off stage, Annika often makes comments about being an artist among actors, but she brings her unique sense of humour to the stage with her wonderful performances and great comedic timing.

“I play an uptight clock who waddles around the castle giving orders,” Annika says. “I feel like I was cast by how I move. I tend to move in a somewhat rigid way, not quite fluid like I see other people moving. So it’s cool that I can dance like I think I’m supposed to dance, and everyone says ‘You dance like Cogsworth! You’re doing so great!'”

While Lumiere and Cogsworth provide many of the laughs, Mrs. Potts, played by Lena, is the heart of the show.

“Mrs. Potts is the motherly character who takes care of everyone,” Lena says. “Although she’s just a teapot, she knows what needs to be done and will get it done. She bosses around everyone from her child Chip to The Beast. The Beast could knock her off the stairs and that could be the end of her, but she doesn’t care. I like her being this character that takes care of everyone in the castle. Mrs. Potts also says all the things that all of the other characters are thinking. She’s the character that is always pushing forward and is the mastermind behind everything.”

As Mrs. Potts, Lena has the show-stopping moment of soloing the show’s Oscar-winning ballad “Beauty and the Beast”, one of the most iconic songs to come out of the Disney songbook.

“It’s a beautiful song,” Lena says. “It has so much emotion in it. I kind of go out there and just let it out, because it’s a big pivotal moment in the show. It’s the moment that her entire plan has come together. I just want to sell that.”

One thing that I find most interesting as an arts writer is that, for the first time while covering a high school production, I actually recognize the core cast of players from having seen them in other productions throughout the greater Peterborough community. Already all well versed in theatre, the key cast members are not newcomers to the stage, thus bringing their own experience to the table to strengthen the production.

“There is a lot of young talent in Peterborough, not only in theatre but in all of the arts,” director Jessica says. “I think that is being more recognized and people are creating shows that can foster that talent. So by the time I get them in Grade 11 or 12, they’ve already had a lot of experience already. It’s nice listening to them talk about what it’s been like growing up in the theatre world, and how they know what it’s like to be backstage and watch a show come to life, and to see their roles from being in the ensemble grow to becoming leading ladies and leading men.”

“We’ve all been lucky to perform in great roles in the community, but we’re also pushing for the chances to get roles that would otherwise go to an adult,” Aimée observes. “Yes, teens can push for that, but there is only so much we can do before the community realizes that we have talent as well.”

“One of the problems that we sometimes face is that we are too big to be in the cute children shows, but we are too young to be considered ‘theatre professionals’,” Lena adds.

Although there may be a struggle for these young performers to get into larger productions outside of the city, Beauty and the Beast is a perfect platform for Jessica’s company to take the stage and demonstrate the incredible amount of talent they have.

The whole ensemble is fantastic, with nice additional character pieces being created by Lily-May Gentle as Babette the Feather Duster, Ally Colby as Madame a la Grand Bouche The Wardrobe. and Abby Dunn as Chip the Teacup, alongside additional human characters including Laura Cassidy-Lobb as Belle’s father Maurice, Casey Hall as Gaston’s sidekick Lefou, and Cherise Lake as the mysterious and menacing Monsieur D’Arque.

While anything Disney-related will get public attention, the TAS production of Beauty and the Beast is a strong show by a fantastic group of young performers. It captures the wonderment, fantasy, and romance of the film we all love, but adds a sense of depth and character development that will be something new for the audience.

But most of all, it’s a show that will delight young audiences who love the film and enchant the older audience who grew up with it.

“I think it’s wonderful that we’re doing this show,” Isaac says. “It takes people out of the outside world and the stress of the workplace, and into something magical and beautiful. It’s so different than everybody’s regular lives, and I think people will love that.”

Beauty and the Beast runs for four public performances at the TAS auditorium from Thursday, December 5th to Saturday, December 7th at 7 p.m., with and an additional 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Tickets are $15 for adults or $12 for students and children and are available from cast members, at the door, or online at schoolcashonline.com.