BEAUTY AND THE BEAST National Tour Plays Van Wezel, 3/17-18

NETworks presents Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the smash hit Broadway musical, at the Van Wezel on March 17 & 18, 2014.

A traditional fairytale first published in France in the mid-18th century, "Beauty and the Beast" is an enduring story of love and friendship that has been translated into hundreds of versions worldwide. When Walt Disney Pictures released the animated feature film Beauty and the Beast in 1991, it was hailed as an instant classic, with critics praising its "songs worthy of a Broadway musical." The film went on to win Academy Awards for Best Song, "Beauty and the Beast" and Best Original Score, and was the first ever animated feature to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.

Rob Roth, who directed the Broadway premiere and is back at the helm for the new tour, says that the "story of the show is about seeing past the exterior of a person and into his or her heart." The whimsical show, with its timeless moral, is brought to life with elaborate costumes and exquisite set design. Disney Theatrical Productions assembled the phenomenal creative team that worked tirelessly to combine the strengths of the much loved film with the possibilities that only live theatre can offer. Don't miss the chance to "Be Our Guest" and see this truly magical classic love story, return to the Van Wezel stage, with its unforgettable characters and heart-warming songs!

Tickets are priced from $55-$80. For more information, call the Box Office at 941-953-3368 or visit www.VanWezel.org.