Tori Rogers loves playing the “flirty feather duster” Babette in CTH’s “Beauty and the Beast”

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When the Community Theatre of Howell announced it was doing Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” Tori Rogers knew right away what part she wanted to go for.

“I knew I wanted to audition for Babette,” she said. “In my eyes, she’s one of the most fun and exciting characters in this show. Not only do I get to wear a beautiful costume and a have fun French accent, but I really get to have fun with her over-dramatic mannerisms and flirtatious attitude. I really enjoy portraying fun and quirky characters, so I’ve been having a blast being the flirty feather duster.”

Rogers, a Brighton resident, did indeed land the role of Babette, and she can’t wait for opening night on Friday. CTH’s big-stage musical runs Nov. 11-13 and 18-20 at the Howell High School Freshman Campus.

Rogers, 19, has grown up on the CTH stage.

“My very first show was ‘The Wizard of Oz’ at CTH when I was 8,” she said. “A family friend who was a part of the theater thought I had a very ‘theatrical’ personality. She suggested we try it and I’ve been hooked ever since.”

Rogers has had a number of juicy roles since then, both with CTH and other groups.

“I loved being a part of ‘Young Frankenstein’ at CTH,” Rogers said. “ ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ was my first high school show, and I loved that. And I also loved being in ‘Rock of Ages’ at the Dio (a professional dinner theater in Pinckney), which was my first professional show. All three made a huge impact on me and helped me on my path to become a professional actress.”

Like many of the CTH shows she’s been involved in, “Beauty and the Beast” is a family affair for Rogers. Her dad, Kevin, is the director, while her mom, Theresia, is the co-producer.

“Being a part of this show has been a blessing,” she said. “The cast and crew have been working so hard and it really shows. We have a great group of people and we are such a big, happy family on and off stage. This is a show that people will miss forever.”

Rogers loves playing Babette, and she also treasures the story and the message in “Beauty and the Beast.”

“I really love the lesson that this show gives,” she said. “It’s your typical ‘It’s what’s on the inside that counts,’ but I don’t think that lesson will ever get old. Aside from that, the show has some GREAT humor thrown in. It has a wonderful blend of romance, humor, heartwarming moments, and a little pizazz here and there.”

More than anything, Rogers said she loves being back in the theater with her “CTH family.”

“We really do have such a great group of people in this show,” she said. “Everyone is so talented and we all work so well together. We all take it so seriously and I think that will show on opening night. There is nothing better than a cast that works like family and I definitely cherish my time with them. CTH is my happy place and a big reason why is because of the amazing people I am always with. I love my CTH family.”

Performances of “Beauty and the Beast” are Nov. 11-13 and 18-20 at the Howell High School Freshman Campus, with showtimes at 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, available online at cththeatre.org. Tickets are also available at Kahuna Coffee and Finding Roots in Howell; Big Acre in Brighton; Ed Bock Feed and Stuff in Pinckney; and Maria’s School of Dance in Fowlerville. You can also order tickets by calling the box office at 517-545-1290.

Photo by Richard Lim Photography. Visit them be clicking here.

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