Fusion Musical Theatre students pouring their hearts into Beauty and the Beast

The Director of the Fusion Musical Theatre program at the Steinbach Arts Council says her students are hard at work preparing for Beauty and the Beast to hit the stage in late April. 

Director Gabriela Gallo says the program is for kids in grades 2 through 8, and they have been having a blast learning and rehearsing Beauty and the Beast. 

“It just seemed like a no-brainer for me, it is such a Disney classic and a show that offers so many opportunities for students to shine, so many different roles and so many different songs and scenes. That is what this show offers, all of your favorites from the movie with some additional Broadway junior songs.” 

Gallo says she has been running the Fusion Musical Theatre program for five years now, and it seems to double in size every year. 

“We have an amazing group this year, we have two full casts of 55 students, so 110 students involved. Last year, it was so upsetting because it sold out so quickly, so we have doubled the amount of kids that get this experience with Fusion, where they get to do musical theater, singing, and dancing, and acting, and putting on these ginormous productions.” 

The future of musical theatre looks very bright here in the Southeast. Gallo says she is always amazed at the talent and dedication these kids bring.  

“We had an extended rehearsal this last weekend on Saturday and these kids are just working so hard and they're having so much fun and they're working as a team and just watching them do that is such an honor for me. It just brings so much joy to my life to watch these kids grow and be able to do what they really love to do.” 

Gallo says they have a total of 6 shows April 27th and 28th and they will rotate between the two casts, noting “They're at one 1:00, 4:00, and 7:00 PM on Saturday the 27th, and then the same on Sunday, April 28th.” 

As of Monday morning, tickets are now available to the public at the Steinbach Arts Council, though Gallo says “seats are already limited as they've gone on sale for our Fusion families, the families of the students involved, last week and we are already selling out really quickly.” 

Tickets are $8 a piece.