Fulton Theatre's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Held Over!

The nationally regarded Fulton Theatre is thrilled to announce the extension of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. The extension comes after previously adding three performances to the original schedule. The critically-acclaimed production has sold more than 31,000 tickets, grossed more than one million dollars, and is forecasted to play to an audience of over 40,000. Disney's Beauty and the Beast has become the highest selling and highest grossing show in the Fulton Theatre's storied history.

Experience the enchantment of Disney's Beauty and the Beast LIVE on the Fulton stage for the first time! This revered fairy-tale promises to be one of the largest of the season, in the grand tradition of the Fulton's The Wizard of Oz, LES MISERABLES, and Elf, with expansive sets, beautifully crafted costumes, a large chorus with a robust sound, and more! This "tale as old as time," reminds us to look beyond one's exterior and find the beauty from within. Belle finds herself in the middle of a daring and magical adventure, attempting to rescue her beloved father from a terrible beast and offering herself in exchange for his freedom. She soon discovers that she is not the only prisoner held in the beast's extraordinary castle. All of the fanciful characters, such as a talking tightly wound clock (the butler), adorable tea cup (a young boy), kindhearted candelabra (maître d'), are trapped in this spellbound form until the beast, who is actually a young prince, can learn to love and have his love returned. Whether you've seen the film or the stage version of this show, you will discover new heart, hope and personal connection when you experience Disney's Beauty and the Beast at the Fulton Theatre.

The most elaborate production staged in the Fulton's history Disney's Beauty and the Beast, after a year of preparation, will captivate audiences with castle turrets extending beyond the proscenium into the audience, magical projections, two story moving set pieces and more that will transport the audiences into the "Tale as Old as Time" and create a family memory that will last a lifetime.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast became Disney's first Broadway venture, opening at the Palace Theatre April 18, 1994 as the most costly production in Broadway history. With over 5,000 performances Disney's Beauty and the Beast closed in 2007 to make room for Disney's The Little Mermaid and became the ninth-longest running show on Broadway.

The Fulton Theatre production stars Lexi Rabadi (Belle) and Matt Farcher (Beast). Rabadi is making her Fulton Theatre debut. Her credits include Chava in Maine State Music Theatre's production of Fiddler on the Roof and several productions at Pace University, including The Visit and The Pajama Game, where she graduated in 2016. Farcher is also making his Fulton Theatre debut. His credits include playing Gaston in the National Tour of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Che in Maine State Music Theatre's production of Evita and The Count/Edmund in the Pionneer Theater's Prodcution of The Count of Monte Christo, along with other Regional and Off-Broadway productions.

Joining Rabadi and Farcher is Brian Calì as Cogsworth, George Boben Fenimore as Chip, Nathaniel Hackmann as Gaston; Charis Leos as Mrs. Potts, Sierra Naomi as Madame de la Grande Bouche (Wardrobe) and James Patterson as Lumiere.

Calì's credits include Joey in Sister Act, which he appeared at the Fulton during the 2015/2016 season. His Broadway, New York and Tour credits include Master Class, The Most Happy Fella (City Center Encores!), Show Boat (Live from Lincoln Center) and Sister Act. Fenimore is in the 6th grade at Wheatland Middle School in Lancaster. School productions include Chip in Disney's Beauty and the Beast and appearances in The Little Mermaid, Dear Edwina, and The Lion King. Hackmann is making his Fulton Theatre debut. His credits include playing Gaston at the MUNY, Variety St. Louis and on the National Tour. Broadway credits include LES MISERABLES (Valjean, Javert u/s), and Paint Your Wagon (Steve). Leos has appeared in numerous Fulton productions including playing Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act, Paulette in Legally Blonde and Grandma in The Addams Family. She has also performed in productions at regional theatres around the country, most recently in The Irish And How They Got That Way at Portland Stage. Naomi is making her Fulton Theatre debut. Based in Chicago, her recent credits include Quartet in Chess, Lucy in Sweeny Todd (Porchlight Music Theatre), Bird Woman in Mary Poppins (NightBlue Theatre) and Mr. Popper's Penguins at Lifeline Theatre. Patterson most recently was seen at the Fulton as Reverend Shaw in the hit summer production of Footloose. His Broadway and National tour credits include Disney's Beauty and the Beast (numerous roles), Gigi, Mary Poppins, The Drowsy Chaperone, Cats and State Fair.

Rounding out the cast in alphabetical order are; Joshua Bellamy as Shepherd Boy; Sarah Biddle as Lady with Baby; Ethan Carlson as LeFou/Carpet; Chelsea Delgado as Fabric Seller; Alex Drost as Egg Seller and Asst. Dance Captain; Courtney Echols as Enchantress; Lauren Elledge as Sausage Curl Girl; Tony Elliott as Candle Maker; Kevin Faraci as Book Seller; Steven Gaglian as Castle Piece; Isabel Garcia as Silly Girl; Donovan Hoffer as Baker; Michael Iannucci as Maurice; Andrew Kindig as Monsieur D' Arque; Rachael Opdenaker as Milkmaid; Andrew Purcell in Ensemble and as Dance Captain; Zach Porter in Ensemble; Katie Sina As Babette; Kelly Swint as Silly Girl; Nathan Todd as Castle Piece; Hal Yudof as Narrator; and Grace Browning, Tanner Emmerling and Abbey Michnya as Children.

The creative team for the production includes Marc Robin (Director/Choreographer; Fulton Theatre's Executive Artistic Producer), Jonathan Lefever (Music Director), Thomas M. Ryan (Scenic Designer), Ryan Moller (Costume Designer), Jesse Klug (Lighting Designer), Gerard Kelly (Wig Designer), Dan Efros (Video Designer), Jacob Mishler (Sound Designer), Katelin Walsko (Props Designer), Timothy Markus (Production Stage Manager), and Rebekah Church (Assistant Stage Manager).

With special thanks to our Season Co-Sponsor, Fulton Bank, Season Co-Sponsors Hagelgans & Veronis, Rodgers & Associates, and Wendell Funk, Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center, Production Sponsor PNC Bank, Production Co-Sponsor Country Meadows Retirement Communities, Media Sponsor WGAL, Be Our Guest Sponsor Eden Resort & Suites and Enchanted Garden Sponsor The Gilded Lily.

New York Casting is done by Bob Cline Casting. Interviews are available with the cast and/or director based on availability. Production photos are available upon request. Performance Schedule follows at the end of the release.

Single ticket prices range from $28 - $71, with Student Rush available. Fulton Theatre performs in its home, the national historic landmark Fulton Opera House located at 12 North Prince Street in Lancaster, PA. For more information or to purchase tickets call 717.397.7425 or visit theFulton.org.

About Fulton Theatre:
The Fulton first opened its doors in 1852. 164 years later, this national historic landmark theatre continues to entertain, educate and delight audiences, bringing live theatre, music, and more than 120,000 patrons into downtown Lancaster annually. Since its inception, some of the brightest stars of theatre, music and film have appeared on its stage, including Sarah Bernhardt, Mark Twain, Lionel Barrymore, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, W.C. Fields, George M. Cohan, Treat Williams and Lancaster's own Jonathan Groff.

Today, under the leadership of Executive Artistic Producer Marc Robin, the Fulton Theatre produces a mix of comedies, dramas and musicals, employing the talents of professional directors, designers, playwrights from across the country. The Fulton also offers classes for children, teens and adults as well as numerous community engagement programs across the region.

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