Reading-Area Youths to Perform Beauty and the Beast

kicks off its big summer musical tonight in a North Reading performance of "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" that will include kids from Reading and around the area.

The performance will cap off the non-profit's final of the year and feature children between the ages and 8 and 16 years of age.

Theater Director Angela Merrill said that this year's performance is particularly demanding on the participants, who create the sets and costumes themselves.

Tickets for the show cost $10 and can be purchased in advance by calling Creative Arts at 781.942.9600. Friday's show begins at 6:00 p.m. The group will also perform at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Both shows will be at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhil Street in North Reading.

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Creative Arts presents Disney's Beauty and the Beast, with two performances, Friday, Aug 19, 6:00pm & Saturday, Aug 20, 5:00pm at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street in North Reading. Tickets are $10 per person and may be reserved in advance by calling the Creative Arts office at 781.942.9600. 

Theatre Director Angela Merrill is excited about the cast, "There are so many talented kids this year. It was really difficult to cast (the show) - but in a good way! The performances are going to be amazing." Creative Arts traditionally ends the summer camp season with a production of a favorite family musical. This year, the musical theatre camp takes on an exciting challenge with Disney's Beauty and the Beast, as the show demands authentic costumes and sets that will definitely delight! 

"It's amazing to see what these kids do in two weeks! The quality of the production is fantastic, and I am always blown away after each show," exclaims Susan Roberts, parent of one of the students in the acting program. Students ages 8-16 are highly invested in the production and audition, act, sing, dance and make all their own costumes, props and sets. It gives kids a chance to practice leadership, team work, responsibility and time management skills in addition to acting. Students also work with vocal coach, Brian Ocock, and learn set building from Kirsten Brown and Jamie McDonough, veteran art teachers at Creative Arts. 

The ticketed performances are a fundraiser for Creative Arts, a Reading-based non-profit community school for the Arts, and help the school continue to offer art, music and theatre programs to all ages and abilities. For more information about Creative Arts, call the office at 781.942.9600 or visit www.WeTeachCreativeArts.org.