Book Drive Benefits Valley Children

Arizona Broadway Theatre (ABT) and the Herberger Theater Center (HTC) are partnering with the Peoria Public Library System and Phoenix Public Libraries for a special Beauty and The Beast Summer Literacy Campaign and Children's Book Drive. Donated books will be distributed to underserved communities throughout the Valley of The Sun.

ABT audiences and Peoria Public Library patrons are invited to drop-off new and gently used children's books at Peoria Main Library (8463 W. Monroe St, Peoria) and Sunrise Mountain Branch (21109 N. 98th Ave, Peoria) during the months of May and June. Donations will also be accepted before performances of Beauty and The Beast at Arizona Broadway Theatre June 2 through July 2, 2017. Distribution of books will be in partnership with the Rotary Club of Sun City (rotaryclubsuncityaz.com) and Peoria North Rotary (peorianorthrotary.org).

HTC audiences and Phoenix Public Library customers are invited to drop-off books at Burton Barr Central Library (1221 N. Central Ave, Phoenix), Mesquite Library (4525 E. Paradise Village Parkway N.) and Ironwood Library (4333 E. Chandler Blvd.) May 15 through July 16. Donations will also be accepted before performances of Beauty and The Beast at Herberger Theater Center July 7-16, 2017. Distribution of books will be in partnership with the Friends of the Phoenix Public Library (plfriends.org).

The public is encouraged to give the gifts of Imagination and Learning by donating a book to enrich the learning of children throughout our community. Those who donate will receive a special edition Beauty and The Beast bookmark with promotional coupon code for tickets to Beauty and The Beast at either ABT or HTC.

"In Beauty and The Beast, Belle teaches us that new worlds can be unlocked and imaginations can soar by reading a book," said Brad York, ABT's director of marketing. "She inspires us to always be curious and have a hunger for knowledge. These books will give underserved young people an opportunity to expand their horizons through reading."

Disney's Beauty and The Beast is an Arizona Broadway Theatre production running at the Peoria theatre June 2 through July 2, 2017. The show will be co-presented by Arizona Broadway Theatre and the Herberger Theater Center at HTC, July 7 through 16, 2017. This production marks a continued partnership between ABT and HTC in 2017, having co-produced A Christmas Carol: The Musical at HTC in 2016. The two leading Valley arts organization have also announced plans to continue the "tradition" and will remount A Christmas Carol: The Musical at HTC this coming holiday season. Beauty and The Beast ticketing and venue information is available at azbroadway.org/beauty and by calling the ABT box office at 623-776-8400 or the HTC box office at 602-252-8497.