Many high-school theater students aspire to become professional actors, but few actually make it. Jade Jones, a 2008 Westfield High grad, is an exception – and her latest triumph is portraying Belle in a stereotype-smashing production of “Beauty and the Beast” that’s receiving national attention.
Jade Jones and Evan Ruggiero portray Beauty and the Beast
According to The Connection Newspapers, "In Olney Theatre Center’s show, the Beast has a prosthetic leg and Belle is a curvy Black woman with dreadlocks, instead of the usual fair-skinned, petite girl. And Jones is delighted with director Marcia Milgrom Dodge’s vision for it. “She had the idea to cast Evan Ruggiero – who lost his leg to cancer – and myself because she didn’t want to do a traditional ‘Beauty and the Beast,’” said Jones, 31. “We’re trying to show that beauty is not one thing – it’s something different to every person. It’s important to find beauty through your own eyes and to know that beauty comes in all different forms."
As per The Connection Newspapers, "Now, Jones is continuing to wow audiences as a totally different Belle, as is Ruggiero as the Beast. “Evan lost his leg to cancer, nine years ago, but didn’t let it stop him from performing,” said Jones. “He’s a Drama Desk-nominated actor who made a career out of dancing on his prosthetic leg."
Maryam N. is a Senior Writer at Nesbitt Realty. She is an expert on Fairfax County. Maryam has also worked previously as a geologist. She is a foodie and enjoys cooking and exploring new restaurants.
