West Hartford Community Theater to Perform Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" in November

WEST HARTFORD, CT – Step into the enchanted world of Disney’s "Beauty and the Beast" this fall as the West Hartford Community Theater (WHCT) proudly presents its fall musical this November.

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 Menken and Tim Rice.

The original Broadway production ran for over thirteen years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, according to a release.

The classic story tells 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.

If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, however, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.

This "tale as old as time" features a cast and production team from West Hartford and surrounding communities, and as far away as Cheshire, Middletown, Enfield, Suffield, and Preston. The cast of more than forty performers, ages 10 to 65, includes a dynamic mix of amateur and professionally trained actors, singers, and dancers working side-by-side to present a high quality production.

WHCT’s production of Disney’s "Beauty and the Beast" is directed by Dana Sachs and produced by Terry Szymanski, with musical direction by Ed deGroat and choreography by Meghan McDermott. Filled with spectacular costumes and sets, and a professional orchestra, it offers a great opportunity to bring our entire community together for family theater at its best.

The musical will be performed at Hall High School, with six performance dates scheduled: Nov. 11, 12, 18, 19 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 13, 20 at 1:30 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online.

WHCT’s Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Cast:
Belle – Anna Kelly
Beast – Michael McDermott
Gaston – Ken Schroeder
Maurice – Peter Robinson
Cogsworth – Kyle Riedinger
Mrs. Potts – Kimberley Parsons-Whitaker
Lumiere – Nate Strick
Chip – Declan Smith
Babette – Rebekah Battersby
Madame de la Grande Bouche – Sarah Petersen
Lefou – Drew Lyon
Beggar Woman – Melissa Reda
Monsieur D’Arque – Bill Mullen

Silly Girls:
Abigail Burns, Maggie Keane, Alexandra van der Hulst

Wolves:
Meghan Fitzsimonds (also mini-Babette), Francesca Giordano (also mini-Babette), Gabriella
Giordano, Jewel Hazlett, Zoe Healey, Mallory Mitzel, Yumeko Stern.

Cronies:
Michael Dolan, Elijah Frazer, Matt Nelson, Peter Krzyzek, Bill Mullen, Lucas Pauluk, Harry van
der Hulst

Ensemble:
Sue Bailey, Ewa Callahan, Miriam Callahan, Lisa Camargo, Noreen Cavanaugh, Joan Delaney,
Karen Finnegan, Tina Frazer, Jean Guthrie, Peter Krzyzek, Julie Levine, Matt Nelson, Nancy
Ritter, Karen Shakun, Terry Szymanski.

Image via Shutterstock.