Wagon Wheel Theatre Presents Disney's 'Beauty And The Beast'
Posted
Staff Report-
Wagon Wheel Theatre kicks off its summer 2016 season with Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” Wednesday through June 11 at Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts. The production is sponsored by Zimmer-Biomet. The classic fairy tale tells of Belle, a French girl who dreams of more than her provincial life. While lost in the woods, she stumbles upon an enchanted castle ruled by a monstrous beast, who is really a handsome prince under the spell of an enchantress. If he can fall in love before the final petal falls from his magic rose, the spell will be broken, according to a press release from the Wagon Wheel. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature of the same name, the “Beauty and the Beast” musical ran on Broadway for 13 years and was nominated for 13 Tony awards. The show features all the popular songs rom the movie including “Belle,” “Be Our Guest,” “Gaston,” “Something There,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Mob Song.” Alan Menken and Howard Ashman reunited with lyricist Tim Rice to compose several songs for the stage version, including “If I Can’t Love Her” and “Human Again.” The Wagon Wheel’s take on the “tale as old as time” will feature Elaine Cotter as Belle and Joey Birchler as the Beast. Both Cotter and Birchler are recent graduates from Indiana University’s BFA musical theatre program. This is Cotter’s second season at the Wagon Wheel and Birchler’s first. According to Wagon Wheel staff, at least two shows are sold out, so those wishing to attend are encouraged to reserve tickets soon. Tickets are $36 for adults, $16 for children 12 and under, $20 for students 13 through college and $28 for seniors (opening night, as well as Sunday and Thursday matinees). Tickets can be purchased online at www.wagonwheelcenter.org, over the phone at 574-267-8041, and in person at the theatre. The box office is open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday 1 a.m. to 2 p.m. Summer hours, which begin Wednesday, are 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. The next show this summer will be “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” a comedic satire of big business and climbing the corporate ladder, running June 15 to 25.
