White Plains Natives Star In Disney’s 'Beauty And The Beast'

WHITE PLAINS, NY — “Be our guest!” echoes from the rehearsal studio where White Plains natives Paulette Oliva, Katie Jo Flanagan and Shaunice Alexander are busy practicing for the White Plains Performing Arts Center’s production of Disney’s "Beauty and the Beast," running from Dec. 21, 2018, through Jan. 13, 2019.

The three are no strangers to the White Plains Performing Arts Center. Oliva, playing Mrs. Potts, has appeared in two other Mainstage WPPAC shows, "Cats" and "Sister Act." Flanagan and Alexander, playing the Enchantress and one of the Silly Girls, respectively, both got their start in WPPAC’s educational theatre program and have performed with the theatre’s pre-professional program, Stage 2. Alexander has also appeared in the Mainstage production, "Sister Act."

Disney’s "Beauty and the Beast," a family favorite, tells the story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. The Beast must learn to love and earn love in return, before the last petal of an Enchanted Rose falls. Should he fail to find love he will be doomed to remain a beast for all time.

The cast also features Ezekial Andrew, Elizabeth Brady, Robbie Crandall, Tom DeMichele, Brendan Doyle, Michael Hardenberg, Apryl Higgins, Katelyn Lauria, Erica Lustig, Dick Nagle, Robert Peterpaul, Patrick Pevehouse, Taylor Rivera, Kristen Seggio, Tori Sicklick, Daniella Tamasi, Raleigh Tyler, Julius Williams and Adam Winer.

Disney’s "Beauty and the Beast" is directed by Frank Portanova with musical direction by Stephen Ferri and choreography by Lexie Fennell Frare. Scenic design by Christopher & Justin Swader, lighting design by Jamie Roderick, wardrobe supervision by Samantha Irons, sound design by Robert McGarrity, stage managed by Jessie Jardon and Megan E. Coutts. Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice, book by Linda Woolverton.

For tickets, visit the theater box office Monday through Friday (11am-6pm), purchase the tickets online at wppac.com or call 914-328-1600. For group sales, please contact boxoffice@wppac.com.

Logo: White Plains Performing Arts Center.