The Effingham County High School Drama Club brought the house down April 29 and 30, with its musical version of “Beauty and the Beast” by Linda Woolverton.

Under the direction of Ivonne Osella, Alyssa Livingston as Belle and Adam Osella as Beast led the cast through two acts of drama, laughter and music.

Performing once Friday evening and a matinee and an evening performance on Saturday, the drama club entertained a full house each performance.

Auditions for the play were held in early March.

Hannah Dodson’s Gaston was performed in a deep tenor, which is an accomplishment for a female performer. Destiny Hartfield was the right-hand man to Gaston in her rendition of Lefou.Caitlyn Foster as Cogsworth and Renee Garman as Lumiere provided comic relief with comedic timing and delivery; their English and French accents served to add to the authenticity of the play. Shelby Burgess as Maurice, Amberly Burgess as Babette, Arianna Fournier as Mrs. Potts, and Macaiah Bolton as Chip captured the essence of their respective characters.

Rafael Osella stepped in for his brother when the beast was in his human form during the opening scenes and final scenes of the play.