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Annual Pioneer Days Musical Returns

BYU-Idaho Radio · Annual Pioneer Days Musical Returns

The annual St. Anthony Pioneer Days musical has returned this year with Disney’s "Beauty and the Beast." It was canceled last year due to COVID-19. 

Jaron Orme, who plays one of Gaston’s cronies, has only been doing shows for three years but has loved the rehearsal process for “Beauty and the Beast,” especially watching his dad, Drostan Orme, play Gaston.   

“If you want humor, just watch for Gaston!” Jaron said. 

Drostan has also enjoyed hamming it up as Gaston and “beating up” Lefou, who is played by his good friend Ben Lokey. 

“I knock his teeth out, kick him in the face, I punch him, it’s actually quite fun!” Drostan said. 

Drostan says he auditioned for the show to improve his music skills. He also likes to play villains. 

“So, I tried out for Gaston and apparently it worked out good because I got it,” he said. 

Nick Orme, who plays the Beast, however, didn’t go into auditions with a specific part in mind.?? 

“Honestly, I just auditioned with no specific role in mind, and they put me where they thought I’d best be suited so, that’s where it ended up with Beast,” Orme said. 

Orme has several favorite moments during the play including the Tavern scene when the cast sings “Gaston,” but he also loves the Beast's transformation during “There’s Something There.”  

 “That’s probably that transition point that I like the best because it plays a little more into what Beast’s underlying feelings really are,” Orme said. 

Karoline Braten, the literal Belle of the ball, is also the choir and band teacher at North Fremont High School. She auditioned to help educate her students and for her love of acting.?? 

“I love theatre and it had been a very long time since I’d done a show and I needed to show my students that I can sing and act like I instruct them to do,”?she said. 

Braten’s favorite moments in the show have been moments that have challenged her as an actress. Including her scene with the wolves at the beginning of Act 2, ? 

“It’s a lot of work but it’s also very rewarding on stage to see the wolves act out being a wolf and the fight scene between Nick and them,”?she said. 

Tickets for “Beauty and the Beast” can be purchased in St. Anthony at Les Schwab, Dusty’s and RJ’s for $10 apiece or $40 for a household. Tickets purchased ahead of time are good for entrance into one night of the rodeo as well as entrance into the play. Tickets that are purchased at the door are only good for one showing of “Beauty and the Beast.” 

Possession of a ticket does NOT guarantee admission into the play as seating is very limited, so arrive early. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.? ? 

“Beauty and The Beast” opens on Monday, July 19, in the South Fremont High School Little Theatre and runs till Saturday July 24. The Monday through Friday shows will begin at 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday the show will start at 2:00 p.m.?? 

More information on the other events during Pioneer Days can be found at fremontpioneerdays.com