“BEAUTY AND THE BEAST”: Princeton High School (PHS) students are rehearsing for their upcoming musical production, running March 14 to 16 at the PHS Performing Arts Center. (Photo courtesy of Princeton Public Schools)

By Donald Gilpin

Princeton High School (PHS) and Princeton Middle School (PMS) are offering a rich assortment of performing arts and cultural enrichment in the coming weeks, starting next weekend with Mary Poppins JR. at PMS March 7 to 10, the 17th Annual Asian Festival at PHS on March 8, and Beauty and the Beast at PHS the following weekend, March 14 to 16.

The Asian Festival, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the PHS New Gym, is a collaboration of the Mandarin and Japanese language classes, the Asian American Club, Chinese Club, Korean Club, Japanese Club, Bollywood Dance Club, and Chai Club.

“PHS Asian Fest showcases the diversity of the many Asian cultures within Princeton,” wrote PHS Mandarin Teacher and Festival Organizer Shwu-Fen Lin in an email. “It reflects the coming together of different groups to celebrate what we can offer the community.”

Welcoming participants of all ages, the festival activities include Chinese calligraphy, cultural games, origami, henna, paper plate rangoli, and more. There will be student performances of Chinese lion and dragon dances, Japanese dance, K-pop dance, Bollywood dance, Chinese yo-yo and musical instruments, and a fashion show featuring clothes from many different Asian countries. Asian food prepared by the students will be available for purchase.

“It is an opportunity for students to put on powerful performances and moments to demonstrate what they have learned from their classes, clubs, and each other,” said Lin. “With an ever-growing population of Asian Americans at PHS and in the U.S., it is important to share more Asian culture with the community to help facilitate understanding.”

She continued, “We want the students to feel they can express themselves, to be proud of their culture, and simply have fun with their friends.”

The PHS production of Beauty and the Beast, opening on March 14, features more than 150 students — about 50 actors, double-cast, with two sets of actors for each role; about 25 in the running crew and backstage, with about 25 more who worked on set building, painting, and other preparations; and a pit orchestra of about 50 more students.

“It’s a gigantic and challenging show,” said Julianna Krawiecki, the show’s director and PHS drama teacher. “It’s incredible, and we’re excited to share it with the audiences.”

She went on, as quoted in a PPS press release, “When we came to this choice, we wanted to do a show that had a timeless tale and featured theatrical magic. It gives our students something different to experience. I try to pick things that contrast, to stretch our experience.”

Krawiecki noted that the students — artists, tech crews, makeup, props, and costumes, as well as musicians, singers, and actors — “have risen to the challenge to put on this iconic show.” She added, “They’re all working hard and doing an amazing job. It’s difficult material, very demanding.”

The PHS drama program usually stages between four and six shows each year, two on the main stage and the rest in the high school’s Black Box Theater, offering students a range of opportunities and theatrical experiences.

Student ensembles have also entered into competitive events outside the school district. They have won New Jersey Governor’s Awards and have performed at events sponsored by the Paper Mill Playhouse.

Meanwhile at the PMS, Mary Poppins JR. will open on Thursday, March 7 for a run of four performances. PPS Supervisor for Visual and Performing Arts Patrick Lenihan described the show as “a true community event,” with “students, teachers, parents — everyone involved.”

He added that PMS has put on a full musical every spring since 2010. “It’s a great way to prepare students for what they will experience in high school,” he said, “And we find shows that work for the middle school voice.”

PMS Principal Jason Burr added, “It does not matter how many years we have been doing this; watching our students pull together as a cast to deliver a captivating performance is always a joy and a celebration.” He went on to express appreciation to Chaundra Cameron, drama teacher and director of the show; Art Teacher Angela Carbone; “and the rest of the staff who help guide our students through this process, from audition through final performance.”

Burr also noted that fifth grade students from all of the elementary schools will see a special performance of the show at PMS as part of their transition to middle school. “Our cast is worthy of admiration and support as they put their best foot forward to deliver multiple performances.” he said.

For more information about performance times and tickets, visit princetondrama.ludus.com for Beauty and the Beast or princetonmiddleschooltheatre.ludus.com for Mary Poppins JR.