Photo Flash: Kelsey Presents BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Join Belle as she takes on the world - and the Beast! The Yardley Players present the beloved Disney musical "Beauty and the Beast" at Mercer County Community College's (MCCC's) Kelsey Theatre. Dates and show times for this tale as old as time are: Fridays, Nov. 2 and 9 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Nov. 3 and 10 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Nov. 4 and 11 at 2 p.m. (A special daytime show for groups will be presented Monday, Nov. 5 at 10 a.m.)

Kelsey Theatre is located on MCCC's West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on Nov. 2.

With show-stopping musical numbers and a colorful cast of characters, "Beauty and the Beast" is the story of Belle, a bright young woman trapped in a small, provincial town. When her father, Maurice, gets lost in the woods, Belle goes after him. Arriving at a secluded castle, she discovers that a beast has imprisoned Maurice, and she bravely trades her freedom for her father's. Gradually, Belle comes to realize that the Beast is trapped, just like she is. Will Belle's sympathy turn to love? And, is that love strong enough to save them both?

Based on the 1991 animated Disney film, the show features the hugely popular songs written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Menken and Tim Rice. In addition to thousands of performances on Broadway, the show has been performed around the world.

Starring are Katie Conn of Princeton as Belle; Harrison Singer of Princeton as the Beast; Tom Chiola of Trenton as Lumiere; Marc Suznovich of Hamilton as Cogsworth; William Walters of Columbus as Maurice; Nicky Elridge of Hamilton as Lefou; Brian Davis of Newtown, Pa., as Gaston; Erin Wurtz of Levittown, Pa., as Babette; Jennifer Torres of Morrisville, Pa., as the Wardrobe; Jessica Corriveau of Plainsboro as Mrs. Potts; Tristan Davis of Newtown, Pa., as Chip; and Jonathan Stanley of East Windsor as Monsieur D'Arque.

Also featured are Caroline Corriveau of Plainsboro, Kelsey Egan of Hamilton, Makenna Katz of West Windsor; Jillian Lee of Hamilton, Jessica Marcinkowski of Columbus, Isabella Papaccio of Hamilton, Marti Wynn of Clementon, and Katie Young of Robbinsville.

The adult ensemble includes William Augustin of Levittown, Pa., Krista Coleman of Princeton, Kelly Fratz of Yardville, Bridget Fry of East Windsor, Shannon Gafgen of Robbinsville, Tanya Hibbs of Hamilton, Douglas Kelvy of Hamilton, Leslie Kraus of Levittown, Pa., Nicholas La Russa of Hamilton, Barry Leonard of Monroe, Rachel Shebek of Langhorne, Pa., and Gretchen Zimmer of Princeton Junction. The youth ensemble features Aimee and Hayden Clark of Lawrenceville, Abigail and Ashley Gafgen of Robbinsville, Daniel and Jillian Richarme of Hamilton, Shreya Savur of Robbinsville, Natalie Thomas of East Windsor, Nicholas Torres of Morrisville, Pa., and Caitlin Treacy of Fairless Hills, Pa.

The show is produced by Jill Katz and directed by Marge Swider. Other members of the production team are Assistant Director Kristy Davis, Musical Director Julie Braeckman, Choreographer Laura Murey Ghaffoor, Stage Manager Liz Wurtz, Costumers Louisa Murey and Anthony Remer, Orchestra Conductor Buzz Herman, Set Designer James Kenna, Sound Designer Evan Paine and Lighting Designer Kitty Getlik. Photography is by John Maurer.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $16 children/students. Tickets may be purchased at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking next to the theater.

Photo Credit: John Maurer

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