Feature: Pleasure Guild of Nationwide Children's Hospital Presents Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at the Palace Theatre, 2/23-25
By: Christina Mancuso Feb. 09, 2018
Photo Credit: Nationwide Children's Hospital
For its 60th annual production, Pleasure Guild of Nationwide Children's Hospital is pleased to present Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, February 23-25 at Columbus' historic Palace Theatre, located at 34 W. Broad St. This family-friendly, Broadway-quality production benefits the Hospice and Palliative Care Programs at Nationwide Children's Hospital, the only programs of its kind in central Ohio.
We had a chance to catch up with some of the cast members who are thrilled to perform this classic tale for such a great cause.
Jessica Greenwald, Senior at Olentangy Liberty High School, playing Belle.
Q. Why do you think Belle is such an iconic Disney Princess?
A. I think Belle is special because she's a beautiful Disney princess, but she also has real strengths and flaws like a real person. She grows and learns all while living out a fairytale. She represents magic that children love, but she's also experiencing and learning things that are really relevant for young women. She's a great role model for anyone and everyone.
Q. Why should people come see Beauty and the Beast?
A. I think the show takes all the magic that the original movie is known for and brings it to life. It's also for a really good cause. Every seat filled can make difference in the lives of so many children and families.
Katey Munger, Ensemble member, 7th Pleasure Guild performance.
Q. Why is Pleasure Guild so important to the community?
A. Pleasure Guild is so important to the community because it is the only fundraising group that directly supports Palliative and Hospice Care Programs at Nationwide Children's Hospital. These are much-needed services for families and children for whom a cure is beyond reach. No one wants to imagine making end of life decisions for a child, but it is reality for some families. Pleasure Guild's mission has been to raise money for very sick children, and for over 60 years, they've done that by putting on a show that brings our community together for a great cause and lifts us all up.
David Bahgat, Director, 6 productions with Pleasure Guild, directorial debut with Pleasure Guild.
Q. How does the stage production capture the magic of the film?
A. The stage production does a fantastic job of maintaining the Disney story, but developing the depth of the characters. These are not cartoons, they are living, breathing, human beings (and sometimes teapots and candlesticks). It's important to remember that each of these characters has a specific want, and desire.
Q. What can audiences expect?
A. Audiences can expect beautiful costumes, fantastic sets, and wonderful performances.
Don't miss this family-family Broadway-style production. Tickets are selling out fast! Get yours at the CAPA Ticket Office (39 E. State St., 43215 / 614-469-0939) or Ticketmaster.com.
The performance schedule is below:
Friday, February 23 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 24 at 2 p.m.
Saturday February 24 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, February 25 at 2 p.m. (Sunday's performance is signed for the hearing impaired.)
For more information about Pleasure Guild or to make a donation to support the Hospice and Palliative Care Programs at Nationwide Children's, please visit www.pleasureguild.org.
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.
Pleasure Guild, a woman's auxiliary of Nationwide Children's Hospital, dates back to 1908. The organization is dedicated to raising funds, more than $200,000 annually, for central Ohio's only pediatric hospice and palliative care programs. The money Pleasure Guild raises goes to support crucial services for children facing terminal and life-limiting illnesses.
The Hospice Program at Nationwide Children's serves to provide children with life-limiting illnesses the opportunities to play, laugh, learn and remain home where they may be surrounded by family and friends. Offered to children and families either inpatient or living at home, the goal of the hospital's Palliative Care Program is to help patients achieve the best possible quality of life. Since the organization's inception, Pleasure Guild has raised more than $4 million for Nationwide Children's Hospital.
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