Based on the original Broadway production that ran for over thirteen years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, and the Academy Award-winning motion picture, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. is a fantastic adaptation of the story of transformation and tolerance.  Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. features some of the most popular songs ever written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice.

The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.

With many fun supporting roles allowing students to play objects inside the castle, this "tale as old as time" is filled with spectacular costume and set opportunities.

This club was started in 2011 by Mrs. Kathy Gagich, who saw a need for a fine arts program at the school.  Past performances on the JFK stage include Cinderella, Annie, Beauty and the Beast, and Fiddle on the Roof.  In 2016 Miss Emily Janocha joined Kathy in directing the musicals and they co-produced The Wizard of Oz, The Little Mermaid, Seussical, and On Broadway together.  Due to the pandemic, the stage lights had to be dimmed for a few short years and in 2021, Miss Janocha, with the help of Miss Hannah Brown and Mrs. Natalie Florian, directed and wrote Hooray for Hollywood to highlight students in grades 3-8 at JFK.  Two years ago, the cast and crew proudly were able to to finally perform Frozen JR after a two year hiatus.  Due to the Middle States Accreditation program, Miss Janocha had to create a mini-show to spotlight the talents and atmosphere of JFK.  While creating this show, she used High School Musical as inspiration and the students performed it in October of 2022.   Since portions of the original production were used in the mini show in the fall, it was only natural to pick the second installment to the HSM franchise for the spring musical.  Over the summer of 2023, Miss Janocha researched all summer how to make the largest involved 8th grade class have the opportunity to participate in two productions for the 2023-2024 school year.  The “Nutcracker” came to mind when coming up with the first fall production and a great way to celebrate the Christmas season.  Our fall production was a huge success to help us prepare for our spring musical and will become a new tradition each year at JFK!  Over 10 years ago, JFK produced Beauty and the Beast Jr and this year we will be performing it again.  It was the perfect fit for our large cast of 70 students!  Assisted by Miss Hannah Brown, Miss MacKenzie Janda, Mrs. Mary Rothenberger, and Mr. Tony Tresky, Miss Janocha and the John F. Kennedy Catholic School Fine Arts Department proudly present Beauty and the Beast JR!