Hartford Children's Theatre Presents BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, 10/13 - 11/7

Marking the beginning of its 20th Anniversary Season, or "The Year of Enchantment," Hartford Children's Theatre (HCT) announces its production of the beloved family musical, Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Under the direction of HCT's newly appointed Artistic Director, Ryan Ratelle with Musical Direction and Choreography by Lisa Foss, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST opens on Friday, October 30 at the Carol Autorino Center for Arts and Humanities on the campus of Saint Joseph College where the show will run through Saturday, November 7, 2009. Tickets are now on sale.

Adapted from the Academy Award-winning animated film by its original screenwriter, Linda Woolverton, Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is perfect entertainment for the entire family. The heart-warming musical is the classic love story of Belle, a young woman in a "small, provincial town," and the Beast, who is really a prince trapped in a spell. If the Beast can learn to love and to be loved, the spell will be broken and he will be transformed back to his former self. However, time is running out, and if the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he will be doomed for all eternity. The unforgettable score with music by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors) and lyrics by Howard Ashman (Aladdin) and Tim Rice (Evita) includes the Academy Award-winning title song and the show-stopping "Be Our Guest," plus additional songs written especially for the stage. The show originally opened on Broadway in 1994 where it enchanted audiences for 5,464 performances over the course of 13 years.

The cast of BEAUTY IN THE BEAST includes Meagan MacLeod as "Belle," Matthew Berry as the "Beast," Greg Ludovici as "Gaston," Marcus Janetatos as "Lumiere," Emely Burns Larsen as "Mrs. Potts," Andrew LaPlante as "Cogsworth," Bruce Terrill as "Maurice," Caitlin Sailer as "Babette," Katie Harden as "Madame de la Grande Bouche," Josiah Rowe as "Lefou," Nick D'Angelo as "Monsieur D'Arque" and Timothy Perry as "Chip." Featured in the ensemble are Lorraine Blatt, VictoRia Mooney, Melissa Anne Pilarski, Thomas Beebe, Jean Della Rocca, Michael Dikegoros, Sophia Foss, Scott MacDonald, Amaris Montoya, Anthony Piccione, Katrina Schwartz, Mary Terrill, Katie Woelfel, Arnie Woelfel.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST features Scenic Designs by Greg Brock, Costume Designs by Melissa Richards and Hair Design by Linda Stanhope.

Performances of HCT'S production of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST will take place at the Carol Autorino Center for Arts and Humanities on the Campus of Saint Joseph College. The performance schedule is as follows: Friday, October 30 at 7 pm; Saturday, October 31 at 2 pm; Sunday, November 1 at 2 pm; Wednesday, November 4 at 7 pm; Friday, November 6 at 7 pm and Saturday, November 7 at 10 am and 2 pm.

Tickets for HCT's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST are $18 for Adults, $13 for Children (13 and under) & Senior Citizens and are available by calling the HCT Box Office on 860.429.7970 ext. 12.  

The mission of Hartford Children's Theatre is to enrich the lives of the children of Greater Hartford and surrounding communities by providing access and exposure to high quality theatre for young audiences and related educational opportunities. Executive Director Dulcie Giadone helms HCT's staff which includes Artistic Director Ryan Ratelle, Education Director Lisa Foss and Office Manager Atla DeChamplain.

For more information, please call 860.249.7970 or visit www.hartfordchildrenstheatre.org.

Additional Events:

THE BEAST'S HAPPY HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST
Saturday, October 31 at 1:45 p.m.
All children attending the Halloween matinee are invited to participate in "The Beast's Happy Halloween Costume Contest" just prior to the performance. After a festive costume parade, the "Beast" will award prizes to winners in three categories: "Best Themed" (best Beauty and the Beast themed costume), "Most Original" and "Funniest."

BREAKFAST WITH BELLE
Saturday, November 7 at 9:00 a.m.
Join Belle, Mrs. Potts, Lumiere and your other favorite characters for a pre-show continental breakfast at the theatre on Saturday, November 7 at 9:00 a.m. (Performance to follow at 10:00 a.m.) Families are invited to enjoy fun activities, a delicious breakfast and photo & autograph opportunities with Belle and friends. Admission to the event is $5.