A community production of Beauty and the Beast will premier at the Griffith Regional Theatre on Thursday, September 10.
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Each week in the lead up to the event The Area News will profile some of the people involved in the production.
This week we take a look Deanna Farnell, who will play Mrs Potts.
She’s already had a little bit of experience in the music department as she teaches singing lessons a few times a week and also sings in a jazz duo with guitarist Jeffery Wright.
It’s her life at home that can cause a bit of confusion though.
“I have two little boys, Joel and Eli, who are the most incredible little guys,” she said.
“I just don’t understand how a four year old and a two year old can eat so much.”
Talking about her role in the production, she said there is one thing in particular that excited her.
“I get to live out my ‘short and stout’ attributes.”
She said she did have a slight worry about the show.
“My costume involved a rather large spout,” she said.
“I really hope I don’t knock Belle out or something.”
She said how the people working behind the scenes had made the whole show terrific so far.
“My experience in Beauty and the Beast has been brilliant,” she said.
“The people really make it; the creative/production team are outstanding and the whole cast are hard-working and keen as beans.”
We then took a look at some of her favourite productions.
She said she could have rattled off a fair few, but managed to narrow down her list of favourite movies/plays to just three.
“Too many to choose a single favourite,” she said.
“I love films that are a bit left of centre.
“Will Ferrell stars in a film called Stranger Than Fiction which I really like.
“BBC have done a great version of some of Shakespeare’s plays and my favourite among them is Taming of the Shrew.
“West Side Story is one of my favourite musicals.”
Her indecision seemed to be a common theme as she said her answers to a couple of questions could change on a daily basis.
”Right this very second, my favourite song is Michael Jackson’s ‘Don’t stop til you get enough,’ but this can change on a daily basis,” she said.
“I could go an Indian curry right now or a good chicken saag, but again, this changes frequently.”
She said there were a range of things she hoped to get out of performing in Beauty and the Beast.
“I really enjoy the creative process; reading, researching, discovering and uncovering,” she said.
“I’m enjoying the journey and hoping that I can sharpen my performance skills.”
She even took a little jab at the rest of the cast, joking that they weren’t the easiest bunch to work with.
“I was also hoping to meet some lovely people,” she said.
“To be honest though the cast and crew area a bit...crap.
“I’ll have to find friends somewhere else.”
The cast might just have to use one of her weaknesses against her.
“My biggest fear is feet,” she said. “I don’t want to talk about it.”