NJ Professional Premiere of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Arrives This Fall

The Growing Stage, The Children's Theatre of New Jersey, located in the Historic Palace Theatre in Netcong opens its 36th Main Stage season with Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. The show runs October 6th through the 29th with performances Friday evenings at 7:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 4:00 PM.

Step into the enchanted world of Broadway's modern classic, Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, an international sensation that has played to over 35 million people worldwide in 13 countries. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice, plus a book by Linda Woolverton. The original Broadway production, directed by Robert Jess Roth and produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, ran for over thirteen years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. This production is under the direction of Stephen L. Fredericks, The Growing Stage's Executive Director, with musical direction by Stephen Fox and choreography by Jillian Petrie.

Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST introduces us to the classic story 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.

Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST features the talents of six professional equity performers in the cast.

Returning to the Palace are Growing Stage favorites: Emily Cara Portune (Shrek, Disney's The Little Mermaid, Pinkalicious) of Burlington, VT, as Belle; Jason Pumarada (Dr. Seuss's The Cat In the Hat) of Union, NJ, as Prince/Beast; Jenna Morris (Disney's The Little Mermaid, The Wizard of Oz) of Hoboken, NJ, as Mrs. Potts; Davis Cameron Lemley (Dr. Seuss's The Cat In the Hat, Peter And the Starcatcher) as Lumiere; Andy Danford (Dr. Seuss's The Cat In the Hat, The Neverending Story) of Rockaway, NJ, as LeFou. Making his Growing Stage debut is Ryan Slone of New York, NY as Gaston. Rounding out the cast are 23 performers from all across the tri-state area.

Ticket prices are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for children. To purchase tickets, please visit www.growingstage.com or call (973) 347-4946. Group rates and Season Ticket Packages are still available. The Growing Stage's programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals.

Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019, Phone: 212-541-4684, Fax : 212-397-4684, www.MTIShows.com. Musical recording provided by The MT Pit L.L.C. www.themtpit.com,

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