Newtown High School students continue to work toward bringing Disney's Beauty and the Beast musical to the school's stage March 16-20.Beauty and the Beast tells the story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a selfish and unkind young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end. But time is running out. The Beast must learn his lesson soon or he and his household will be doomed forever.gofundme.com/nhsbeauty, to offset the production costs.nhsc.booktix.com. Tickets will be sold the day of the shows if they are available.

Rehearsals over the last couple of weeks have had students practicing scenes, songs, and dance moves.

On Friday, February 19, Jane Matson, the production's director, noted a "happy moment" for her: On stage students in the production's crew were showing fellow students how to use a part of the stage, designed to move during a scene.

"I think I scared him, Mama," Reed Intermediate School fifth grader Andrew Sposato said rehearsing a scene as the character Chip.

Rehearsals the following Friday had all of the high school students in the production working on blocking another scene.

The high school is seeking both sponsors for the production and audience support, online at

The show's title sponsor is Ingersoll Auto of Danbury. Ingersoll Auto of Danbury is also matching donations dollar for dollar, up to $10,000, in donations to the GoFundMe account, according to the school. Local businesses interested in sponsoring the production can contact Janice Gabriel at 203-426-7646.

Those planning to attend the show are asked to purchase tickets via the online box office site,

The performance schedule at the high school, 12 Berkshire Road, is Wednesday, March 16, through Saturday, March 19, at 7 pm; and Saturday and Sunday, March 19 and 20, at 2 pm.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $14 for students and senior citizens.

Along with Ms Matson, the production crew includes producer by Janice Gabriel, musical director Brett Boles, Kurt Eckhardt as rehearsal pit conductor, and Brian Tenney as technical director.