EDMT Presents BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, 10/28-11/13

El Dorado Musical Theatre is proud to present Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, October 28-November 13, 2011 at Three Stages at Folsom Lake College in Folsom.

On a cold winter night, an old beggar woman comes upon a glorious castle belonging to a young prince. She asks the master of the castle to allow her to stay the night, away from the cold, and in return she will give him a single rose, but the prince is vain and uncaring and turns her away solely for her appearance. As he does this, she warns him not to be fooled by appearances, as true beauty lies within, only to be rejected again. Seeing his horrible heart for what it truly is, she transforms into a beautiful enchantress and turns the prince into a hideous Beast and his servants into different objects. She gives him the rose to use as an hour-glass. The one way he can break the spell is to learn to love another and earn her love in return by the time the last petal falls.

Years later, in a nearby town, a beautiful young woman named Belle lives with her father Maurice, an eccentric inventor. One day she goes to town to buy a book from the local bookseller. On the way she expresses her wish to live in a world like her books, full of adventure, while the townspeople note her unparalleled beauty but find her love of books odd. Belle has also attracted the attentions of Gaston (the locAl Hunter and town hero) who admires her only for her beauty and not her brains. Gaston proposes to Belle but she refuses his offer of marriage.

One night, Maurice is attacked by wolves on a dark path in the woods. He winds up taking refuge at a mysterious castle near the Crossroads, which is inhabited by enchanted objects who were once servants of the prince, including Lumiere (a maitre de turned into a candelabra), Cogsworth (the head of the household turned into a clock), Babette (a flirtatious maid turned into a feather duster), Mrs. Potts (the head of the kitchen turned into a teapot) and her son Chip (a Tea Cup). These characters welcome Maurice, but the Beast orders him locked away for trespassing.
Belle learns of her father's fate and visits the castle. She convinces the Beast to free her father if she takes his place. While Belle is at the Castle, after a series of conflicts, the Beast realizes he must learn to love Belle or remain a Beast forever.

Belle is attacked by wolves in the woods one night, and the Beast is injured coming to her defense. Belle helps him back to the castle and cleans his wounds. Remembering Belle's fondness for books, the Beast gives her his library as a thank you gesture. Belle notices the change in the Beast and a friendship is born.

Gaston becomes aware of Belle's affection for the Beast and organizes a mob to kill him. Belle had left the castle to care for his sick father Maurice, and had lost his will to fight Gaston and the Mob in her absence. Seeing Belle return, the Beast turns on Gaston, but spares his life. Belle and the Beast are reunited briefly, only to see Gaston run through the Beast with a dagger. Gaston loses his footing and falls to his death. The Beast is gravely wounded and Belle rushes to his side. She professes her love for the Beast before the last petal falls and he is transformed back into the prince. She looks into his eyes and sees the Beast within and they embrace, before a finale in which they sing of how their lives were changed by love.

Some of the familiar roles in this remarkable show include: Belle (Carly Speno-Rose Cast and Katherine Sorgea-Mirror Cast), Beast (Terry Hicks-Rose Cast and Braiden Wells-Mirror Cast), and Gaston (Andrew Wilson-Rose Cast and Jonathan Cranmer-Mirror Cast). Beauty and the Beast features songs such as "Beauty and the Beast", "Be Our Guest" and "Human Again".

Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is entertaining for all ages...get your tickets now! Ticket prices range from $14.50-$29.00 and can be purchased online at www.threestages.net or by calling the Three Stages Box Office at 916-608-6888. Bargain Performances on Thursday November 3rd at 7:00 pm and on Thursday November 10th at 7:00 pm are offered with all seats only $14.50!!

EDMT's Production of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is sponsored in part by The Gift of Kids Daycare and Preschool, Parker Development Company, Business Workspaces, Jimboys, and Pete's Restaurant.

For more information about registration, roles or fees, visit www.edmt.info or call (916) 941-SING.

About El Dorado Musical Theatre: EDMT is an award winning regional theater company based in El Dorado Hills, California featuring performers aged 6-20. EDMT was founded in 2001 and is a Non-Profit Organization. EDMT produces four major productions per year. Remaining productions this season include 42ND STREET, OKLAHOMA!, and HONK!. Additionally, EDMT produces an annual training show for performers ages 5-9, no experience is required.

To post a comment, you must register and login.