Liberty Theatre will present Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” this weekend, June 8-10, and next weekend, June 15-17, 2018. The production is under the direction of Devon Sons.
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 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.
The main cast of characters include: Narrator – Mike Hays; Belle – Mikaela Sons; Aristocractic Lady – Josie Watkins; Fish Man – Brett Wennihan; Egg Man – Anneliese Clauson; Sausage Curl Girl – Kylie Nuckolls; Baker – Todd Herron; Lady with a Cane – Rebekah Lucas; Lady with a Baby – Emily Welch; Hat Seller – Harlee Pritt; Book Seller – Mike Hays; Milkmaid – Lizzie Schlueter; Shepherd Boy – Bo Peregrine; Silly Girls – Haley Kingery and Katey Kroeger; Gaston – Casey Martin; Lefou – Andrew Braams; Maurice – Richard Sons; Wolves – Harlee Pritt, Kylie Nuckolls, Lizzie Schlueter, and Claire Spiegel; Gaston’s Cronies – Mike Hays and Brett Wennihan; Cogsworth – Cameron Victor; Lumiere – Clint Dougherty; Babette – Rebekah Gebhards; Mrs. Potts – Erica Taylor; Chip – Grant Spiegel; Beast/Prince – Jordan Andrews; Madame De La Grande Bouche – Kendall Victor; and Monsieur D’Arque – Mike Hays.
The ensemble includes: Champagne Flutes – Kylie Nuckolls and Harlee Pritt; Plates – Haley Kingery, Alexa VanSickle, Josie Watkins, and Emily Welch; Napkins – Anneliese Clauson, Jillian Hannah, Abbie Harms, Jordan Jackson, Hadleigh Jones, Rebekah Lucas, Jayme McEnaney, Stevie Pritt, Lizzie Schlueter, and Claire Spiegel; and children’s ensemble – Eli Cox, Maddie Cox, Audrey Dougherty, Gabe Gebhards, Jakobi Hays, Austin Helfers, Isabella Kroeger, Gavyn Liechti, Bryna McEnaney, Declan McRaven, Kinsley Merriweather, Claire Miller, Bo Peregrine, Sophie Storm, Adrianna Wallace, and Brody Wennihan.
The orchestra includes – Piano – Susan Braams; Sound Effects – Jaymi Victor; Reeds – Amanda Mather and Bradley Sheeley; Trumpet – Abby Palmer; French Horn – Kyle Fitzgerald; Bass – Josh Miller; Percussion – Amanda Sutton, Ajia Whipp, and Adriana Garber.
The production crew includes: Lights/Sound – Scott Deatz and Molly Carpenter; Stage Manager – Jan Carpenter; Set Design – Michelle Goolsby, Scott Deatz, and Jennifer Thomas; Choreography – Derek Thompson and Amy Wesely; Dance Captain, Choreography – Christina Hall; Fight Coordinator – Mackenzie Dehmer; and Costumes – Robidoux Resident Theatre, Theresa Lee, Okema Hale, Jan Carpenter, Andy and Molly Spiegel.
Show times are as follows: June 8 at 7 p.m., June 9 at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., June 10 at 2:30 p.m., June 15 at 7 p.m., June 16 at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., and June 17 at 2:30 p.m. For ticket information please call (660) 744-5599.