Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST International Tour Kicks Off Tomorrow in Istanbul

NETworks and Broadway Entertainment Group open the first ever International Tour of Disney's Beauty and the Beast in Istanbul on Friday 10th October 2014. The English-language tour will open at Istanbul's Zorlu Center and will tour to diverse international markets including United Arab Emirates, Greece, Italy, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Macau and beyond.

The Broadway Entertainment Group and NETworks partnership brings together two of the most experienced touring theatrical companies to the international stage. This powerful combination of producing expertise and international distribution allows the team to offer the finest theatrical productions in new and emerging markets.

Originally produced by Disney Theatrical Productions on Broadway, the international tour celebrates the title's 20th anniversary on stage with the return of the show's original Broadway creative team, including Director Rob Roth, who has been working with the cast and crew in Istanbul, remounting this beloved and acclaimed production.

"Disney's Beauty and the Beast marks the first of many first-class productions from Broadway Entertainment Group and NETworks. Our new approach to touring reinvents the traditional model of live theatrical distribution, creating a framework for delivering quality titles to an extended network of international presenters and venues" says Liz Koops, Broadway Entertainment Group.

Ken Gentry of NETworks Productions says "we are excited about extending our titles beyond North America and creating top quality productions geared toward satisfying the international market".

Based on the 1991 Academy-Award winning animated feature film, Disney's Beauty and the Beast premiered on Broadway in 1994, where it was nominated for nine prestigious Tony Awards and ran for 13 years. It still ranks as one of the longest-running and highest-grossing Broadway shows of all time. Since its debut, the titles visibility and success has expanded globally with subsequent productions produced around the world. Since licensing of the title began in 2004, there have been productions in 22 countries, seen by more than 35 million people, translated into 8 different languages with over 28 thousand performances - equivalent to a run of 67 years, generating over $1.7B in revenue.

On the heels of six successful seasons of North American touring, the international tour of Disney's Beauty and the Beast will see the show's original Broadway creative team reuniting to bring this Broadway classic to life. The musical is directed by Rob Roth and choreographed by Matt West, with Costume Design by Ann Hould-Ward (Tony Award winner for her work on Disney's Beauty and the Beast), Lighting Design by Natasha Katz, Scenic Design by Stanley A. Meyer, Sound Design by John Petrafesa Jr. and Music Supervision by Michael Kosarin. Previews are currently underway in Istanbul prior to the Global Premiere on Friday.

The musical boasts music by Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Tangled) and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin), with additional songs with music by Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice (The Lion King, Jesus Christ Superstar). The book is written by Linda Woolverton (screenwriter of The Lion King, Alice In Wonderland and Maleficent).­

TICKETING INFORMATION:

Istanbul, Zorlu Centre 8 to 26 October 2014 www.zorlucenterpsm.com

Abu Dhabi, du Forum 30 October to 8 November 2014 www.thinkflash.ae

Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki Concert Hall 12 to 23 November 2014 www.tch.gr

Trieste, Il Rossetti 26 November to 7 December 2014 www.ilrossetti.it

Milan, Teatro Arcimbaldi 10 December to 3 January 2014-2015 www.teatroarcimboldi.it

Manila, Phillipines Cultural Centre 9 January to 8 February 2015 www.ovationproductionsmanila.com

Bangkok, Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre 24 February to 3 May 2015 www.bectero.com

Singapore, Marina Bay Sands 20 March to 3 May 2015 www.baseentertainment.com

More information at: www.disneysbeautyandthebeast.com and www.beautyandthebeastontour.com.