TOWAMENCIN – North Penn Theatre cast and crew has been working hard during rehearsal to get Beauty and the Beast ready for the performances in May – but maybe a little too hard. Junior Matt Wynne, cast as the Beast, blew out his vocal chords during his Beast roar rehearsal, and recovery looks dismal. With only one month until showtime and all able men cast in different roles, drama director Andrea Roney called on her lifelong friend to fill Wynne’s shoes: none other than the illustrious Bradley Cooper.

After a bit of persuasion and some rearranging of his schedule, Cooper agreed to take on the difficult role, though he confessed that he could never match Wynne’s talent in the role. Taking character cues from Roney and Wynne, Cooper began rehearsing with the student body last week. After the initial fangirling that always accompanies a celebrity, Cooper was easily integrated into the cast, already “besties” with some cast members.

“It’s so great to be back in the Philadelphia area, I feel like I’m getting back to my roots. Who knew I had musical talent?” commented Cooper on his move to the east coast.

Past roles as Phil in The Hangover trilogy and Pat in Silver Linings Playbook have prepared Cooper to take on the iconic role of Beast. The seriousness of his role in The Hangover coupled with his dance experience in Silver Linings Playbook made it easier for him to connect to the character. The North Penn cast is anxiously awaiting a guest appearance by Jennifer Lawrence to show off some of her and Cooper’s moves from the movie – senior Kuhoo Verma will need to protect her role as Belle or Lawrence may take it out from under her!

Verma commented on her new leading love interest: “I mean, at first I was all ‘He’s so hot!’ but now I see he’s really down-to-earth, we hang out all the time!”

North Penn Theatre has seen a spike in ticket sales since the news leaked through an anonymous source with people buying tickets from as far as South Dakota. Due to the huge community and national response, North Penn has arranged to set up overflow seating in the main lobby, gyms, and cafeteria. The lucky parents of cast and crew who bought tickets before the sale went public are guarding them day and night from crazed teenagers who want an up close glimpse of the celebrity.

Cooper can’t wait for opening night. “I’m just excited to get on stage and perform with these kids. Who knows, Broadway musicals could be next!”