West Hartford Summer Arts Festival to Present "Beauty and the Beast"

WEST HARTFORD, CT - In its 40th anniversary season, the West Hartford Summer Arts Festival will present its production of "Beauty and the Beast" this summer.

Performances will be held at Northwest Catholic High School from July 28-30 at 7:00 p.m. and July 31 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18.50 each and includes all fees.

The production is recommended for children ages 4 and up.

Based on the animated Disney film, Beauty and the Beast opened on Broadway in 1994 and continues to tour around the world. According to Artistic Director of the West Hartford Summer Arts Festival (SAF) Sara Demos Avery, Beauty and the Beast is the perfect show to celebrate this summer.

“It has all of the amazing elements of theatrical grandeur – enchanted objects and supernatural transformations – but at its heart, the story is about seeing past appearances and accepting change with dignity and grace.”

The role of Beast is played by Ryan DeFranzo, a 2014 graduate of Northwest Catholic High School.

Prior to each performance, there will be a “Fairytale Festival” with games and activities, food, and fun for audience members, plus the opportunity for children to get autographs and have pictures taken with their favorite characters.

Additionally, the Saturday night performance will be a celebration for alumni of the program: Shahverdian will return to the SAF stage as guest conductor of the orchestra, and a reception for all former cast, crew, orchestra, and staff members will be held immediately following the conclusion of the performance.

To purchase tickets, please visit the SAF website, or visit the box office at Northwest Catholic High School between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. from July 25-26. Tickets to the 40th season Alumni Night can also be purchased online.

SAF was founded by current executive producer Haig Shahverdian in 1977 as a venue for West Hartford high school and college students to perform in high caliber productions of some of Broadway’s most famous musicals and plays. Since its inception, the program has found its focus centering on musicals and expanded to include participants outside of West Hartford.

Image via West Hartford Summer Arts Festival.