BEAUTY AND THE BEAST to Close Theatre in the Park's 2017 Season This Weekend

With a tale as old as time, Disney's enchanting musical BEAUTY AND THE BEAST continues to waltz onstage at Theatre in the Park tonight, Aug. 2, through Saturday, Aug. 5. Curtain time is 8:30 p.m.

Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is a co-production with the Jewish Community Center featuring an all-local cast. The musical had a three-week run a The J's White Theatre prior to its magical transformation to the park amphitheater. Steven Eubank directs this production of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST with musical direction by Pam Williamson and choreography by Mindy Moritz. It is rated G.

With Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice and a book by Linda Woolverton, Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is based on the Academy Award-winning animated film. This classic story centers on Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. When Belle finds herself held captive by the Beast, she meets the most unusual enchanted servants if the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.

"Beauty and the Beast has it all - drama, comedy, fantasy and adventure," Eubank said. "In addition, the score contains well-loved songs, the musical has large group dance numbers, the costumes and sets are imaginative and creative. Disney always invites us to escape into a fantastic and fabulous world."

Eubank said Belle exemplifies a powerful, young independent woman. "She does not conform to the pressures of her community. She dares to be different," Eubank said. "She embraces her intelligence and values education. Although this musical is set in a time period before electric lights, running water, automobiles or modern technology, Belle is an ideal role model for children in the 21st century."

Tickets for BEAUTY AND THE BEAST $8 for adults, $6 for youth, and children three and under may attend for free (but require a ticket for entrance). Limited reserve seating and parking is available; lawn chairs may also be rented nightly at the theatre. Tickets may be purchased online at www.theatreinthepark.org or at the theatre box office the nights of performance.

Early this season, TTIP inaugurated its INDOOR theatre program at the new Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center with the musical GREASE. The remainder of the INDOOR season will be announced soon.

The Theatre in the Park Outdoor is located in Shawnee Mission Park at 7710 Renner Road, in Shawnee, KS, and is a program of the Johnson County Park & Recreation District. TTIP is the largest outdoor community theater in the country, and has been providing quality theatre entertainment in the community for more than four decades. Sponsors of the 2017 season include First National Bank and Shawnee Mission Health. For more information, visit www.theatreinthepark.org.

Cast of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST:

(Performer, Character Name, City, State)

Tyler Armer, Ensemble - Prairie Village, KS

Whitney Armstrong, Madam - Overland Park, KS

Morgan Ball, Ensemble - Lees Summit, MO

Jerry Birts, Ensemble - Kansas City, KS

Cole Bracken, Ensemble - Kansas City, MO

Lauren Chandler, Silly Girl - Olathe, KS

Madeline Clem, Babette - Liberty, MO

Amanda Dulny, Silly Girl- Shawnee, KS

Scott Fagan, Beast- Kansas City, MO

Dalton Homolka, Lumier - Leawood, KS

Katie Hulla, Silly Girl - Overland Park, KS

Finnegan Jones, Chip -Overland Park, KS

Curt Knupp, Maurice - Kansas City, MO

Matt Messing, Gaston - Overland Park, KS

Anna Murrow, Ensemble, Olathe, KS

Wendy Musick, Mrs. Potts - Raymore, MO

Paris Naster, Belle - Overland Park, KS

McKenna Neef, Ensemble - Leawood, KS

Colin Rohach, Lefou - Leawood, KS

Austin Shively, Cogsworth - Olathe, KS

Brant Stacy, Ensemble- Olathe, KS