Stage 1 of the Harris Center for the Arts is set to come to life beginning tonight, Feb. 24 as The El Dorado Musical Theatre invites live theatre lovers to step into the enchanted world of Broadway’s classic, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, an international sensation that has been produced in 37 countries worldwide.
The show opens on the Folsom Lake College stage tonight and runs through Sunday, Mar. 5. Tickets are nearly sold out for the production put on by the talented El Dorado Hills based theatre group.
According to the playbill, the local production is based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over thirteen years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
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 into 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.
This “tale as old as time” is filled with spectacular costume and set opportunities or, even more simply staged, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast offers a great opportunity to bring your entire community together for family theatre at its best.
Beauty and the Beast is directed locally by Debbie Wilson and produced by Chris Hobbs. Choreography for the production is arranged by Anjie Rose Wilson, vocal direction by Jennifer Wittmayer and costume design is by Karen McConnell.
The play is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International and features a large cast of local talented thespians (see full cast below).
For full show information visit www.edmt.info or www.harriscenter.net. Following Beatury and the Beast, EDMT will present Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in May.
Photo: Chris Meissner
