The ‘Beauty’ of stunts

Alex Syiek couldn’t make auditions for Huntington Beach High School’s “Beauty and the Beast” production due to a prior commitment, but he wasn’t about to let that stop him.

The 16-year-old Huntington Beach High School Academy of the Performing Arts student had to phone in his audition, but despite that formidable obstacle, he sang his way into playing the villainous character Gaston in the Orange County Children’s Theater’s stage version of Disney’s animated film “Beauty and the Beast.” It opens Friday in the school’s auditorium.

No doubt his singing talent helped earn him the role, but it may have been because he was so into character at the time.

“When I play him I get to be cocky and arrogant, which is not how I think I am normally,” Alex said.

Getting the part was just the first challenge. Now Alex and the rest of the cast and crew are hoping this stunt-filled production can go off without a hitch.

John Blaylock, a past children’s theater actor who is directing, believes they’re up to the task. Blaylock was first contacted by the group back in 2000 to direct a production of “Cinderella.” It’s a much bigger production this time around, Blaylock said.

“Special effects-wise, it’s night and day,” he said. “We try to really stick to that Disney magic when we do a production.”

For those who enjoyed the high-wired antics in “Peter Pan” that featured child actors flying above the stage just like the professionals, “Beauty and the Beast” promises even more soaring, and with a twist.

Alfonso Neavez, playing the beast, will be hoisted above the stage as his character magically transforms back into a human prince, spinning slowly just as it happens in the 1991 animated film. Until now, the actors who flew courtesy of ZFX Inc. — the company that produces the special effects — were limited to two flight patterns, from the back of the stage to the front or from side to side.

Actors playing animals leap across the stage in another scene showing Belle’s father getting lost in the woods and attacked by wolves. Alex, as Gaston, will toss his sidekick Lefou above his head, seeming to have superhuman strength with help from the wires.

Neavez has his own way of matching Gaston’s power.

Preparing to go onstage Neavez can be seen backstage in a low crouch, springing from all fours, all to find “the roar inside,” he said. But it’s not a gradual process.

“I act as if the character is a pool and I jump into it,” Neavez said.

Neavez, 20, once a child actor in the company, returned to the children’s theater as a mentor to the younger cast.

“I think everyone so far has done their part in contributing to this being a great show,” Blaylock said. “It’s always crazy during tech week, but the kids are doing a really great job.”

Makenzie Mettra, who plays the lead role of Belle, said the audience’s reaction is the payoff for all the hard work. “There’s an excitement you get onstage performing,” Makenzie said.

Makenzie is more than familiar with the story. “Beauty and the Beast” is her twin sister’s favorite movie. Playing the lead, especially in a children’s classic tale, is nothing new for this Foothill High School student from Tustin. Before this, she played Little Orphan Annie and Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz.”

Aside from thrilling the audience, the stunts have some other fringe benefits.

“It’s really fun, a good way to let out a lot of stress,” Neavez said. Plus, the stunts aren’t always as demanding as they seem. For instance, they make sure he doesn’t spin too fast when transforming into the prince, he said. After all, it wouldn’t look too good for a prince to get sick.

The troupe’s hoping for big audiences. The group’s production of “Peter Pan” in August was the best-selling to date, producer Chris Love said.

“We almost had to turn people away from a couple of shows,” Love said. “It’s the best $10 show in town at this caliber.”

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: “Beauty and the Beast”

WHO: Orange County Children’s Theater

WHERE: Huntington Beach High School Auditorium, 1905 Main St., Huntington Beach

WHEN: Friday through Jan. 21

COST: $10, $12 at the door

INFO: (714) 502-2244