All-New Disney BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Comes to Maltz Jupiter Theatre For The Holidays

You may think you know Disney Beauty and the Beast - but you've never seen it like this!

Just in time for the holidays, a completely re-envisioned version of the classic Broadway musical is set to dazzle on the Maltz Jupiter Theatre stage November 27 - December 16.

Adapted from Walt Disney Pictures' 1991 Academy Award-winning animated musical film (which is based on the classic French story by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont), this unforgettable story of a tenacious beauty who meets a selfish prince-turned-beast is a tale as old as time. Showcasing spectacular costumes and effects, Disney Beauty and the Beast is a fairy tale filled with magic, romance and a young woman's determination to find her own way. We invite you to be our guest as this beloved Disney classic comes to life on stage!

Directed by two time Emmy and Tony Award-nominated actor and acclaimed puppeteer John Tartaglia (Sesame Street, Avenue Q), the musical will feature a unique and enchanting concept: all of the musical's inanimate objects and magical moments are being portrayed by one-of-a-kind puppets, brought to life by renowned puppetry company Puppet Kitchen International (whose artists previously designed puppets for the Theatre's productions of The Wiz and The King and I).

"We are honored to produce Disney Beauty and the Beast on the Maltz Jupiter Theatre stage under the direction of John Tartaglia, one of our industry's finest puppeteers and visionaries," said Andrew Kato, the Theatre's producing artistic director and chief executive. "Our audiences will see a complete reimagining of this unforgettable Disney classic with puppetry and design elements that will awaken the child in every audience member, regardless of age. You won't want to miss this one!"

With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice and book by Linda Woolverton, Disney Beauty and the Beast was Disney's first Broadway venture in 1994. An instant smash hit, the show ran on Broadway for 13 years, becoming Broadway's tenth longest-running production in history and grossing more than $1.4 billion worldwide. Nominated for numerous Tony Awards, the production is considered to be Broadway's first show designed specifically for a family audience, paving the way for international productions of Matilda and Aladdin, among many others.

Tartaglia, who began his professional career as a puppeteer for Sesame Street at age 16, earned a Tony Award nomination for his Broadway debut in the dual roles of Princeton and Rod in Avenue Q. Other Broadway roles include Lumiére in Disney Beauty and the Beast and originating the role of Pinocchio in Shrek the Musical. He went on to create, executive produce and star in his own preschool series Johnny and the Sprites for Disney Junior (nominated for eight Emmy Awards). Tartaglia currently stars as Kip on Jim Henson's Word Party and Hank in Julie's Greenroom (starring Dame Julie Andrews). His directorial credits include the critically-acclaimed Stephen Schwartz production The Secret Silk (an original musical also written by Tartaglia currently playing on Princess Cruises), as well as national tours of Dinosaur Train Live, Sid the Science Kid Live, Claudio Quest (winner of six awards at the New York Musical Theatre Festival), The Wizard of Oz, Annie and Tarzan at the St. Louis MUNY and many more. He wrote the acclaimed Off-Broadway musical ImaginOcean that has been re-imagined for TV and can currently be seen on PBS Kids as Jim Henson's Splash and Bubbles.

"Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney animated feature of all time, and I'm one of the lucky few to have played Lumière on Broadway in its original run. Now, to have the chance to direct this glorious musical in a reimagined form at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre is a dream come true," Tartaglia said. "We plan to bring this enchanting tale to life with glorious puppetry, exciting special effects, inventive scenic and costume designs and a vibrant cast in a magical production that only the Theatre can create!"

The production stars Danielle Bowen as Belle (whose regional credits include Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the MUNY and North Shore Music Theatre and Jerusha in Pittsburgh Public Theater's Daddy Long Legs) and Zach Nadolski as the Beast (who recently originated the title role in the world premiere of Gigolo: The New Cole Porter Revue at the Winter Park Playhouse, in addition to portraying Archibald in The Secret Garden at Mad Cow Theatre and Anthony in Sweeney Todd with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra). Notable South Florida performers include Broadway's Anna McNeely as Madame De La Grande Bouche (previously seen in the Theatre's productions of Me and My Girl, The Music Man, Crazy for You, La Cage aux Folles and The Boyfriend), and multiple Carbonell Award winner Laura Turnbull, who will portray Mrs. Potts (who just completed Palm Beach Dramaworks' production of Indecent and the acclaimed one-woman show The Pink Unicorn with Primal Forces, among many other projects).

In addition to puppet design by Puppet Kitchen, the Theatre's production will also feature the talents of choreographer Shannon Lewis (who recently choreographed the inventive new musical The Secret Silk by Stephen Schwartz and John Tartaglia and the highly-anticipated feature film Stuck starring Amy Madigan, Giancarlo Esposito, and Ashanti) and scenic designer Adam Koch (whose work includes the Theatre's production of Disney Newsies The Musical). Other designers include lighting designer Rob Denton (whose work includes the Theatre's production of South Pacific); costume designer Ashley Rose Horton (whose credits include Dry Land, How to Live On Earth with Colt Coeur and Damn Yankees at Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera); music director Helen Gregory (who is conducting her 19th show at the Theatre), fight choreographer Lee Soroko (whose previous work at the Theatre includes An Inspector Calls and Disney Newsies The Musical), wig designer Gerard Kelly (who has designed for Hair on Broadway and on London's West End) and the Theatre's Carbonell Award-winning resident sound designer Marty Mets (currently in his eighth season at the Theatre).

Looking for that perfect gift this holiday season? Let the Theatre entertain you with the magic of live theatre! An exquisite treat for your office staff, family, neighbor, friend or sweetheart, this smash hit is a grown-up fairy tale adventure you won't want to miss.

To compliment your unique gift, consider one of the Theatre's many preferred restaurants and hotel packages. Also, share the gift of theatre with a gift certificate, available at the box office. Bring your group for the holidays and celebrate! Discounted group rates are available, and The Green Room Club Level Lounge is available for private events and functions.

Disney Beauty and the Beast is sponsored by Admirals Cove Foundation. Single tickets start at $60. For tickets and showtimes, call (561) 575-2223 or visit www.jupitertheatre.org. For more information on bringing your group to the Theatre, contact community relationships ambassador Cheryl McDermott at (561) 972-6117.

Photo by Jason Nuttle

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