FSPA's Jack Mullen Reprise Role of 'Chip' for BEAUTY AND BEAST's Providence Stop, 6/1

Jack Mullen, 11, from Millis, will perform the role of Chip on Saturday evening, June 1, when the NETworks National Tour of Disney's Beauty and the Beast comes to the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) in Rhode Island from May 31-June 2. Jack previously enjoyed an exciting and successful 5-week run as Chip during the West Coast leg of the tour, with performances in Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, Palm Desert and Los Angeles, California. The PPAC performance is by special invitation of the national touring company.

A musical theater student at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), Jack was cast in the role through FSPA's association with Broadway Artists Alliance (BAA) of New York City.

More than 100 friends from the FSPA community will attend the performance to support and cheer on Jack. "It will be really cool to perform in the show with so many of my friends and family in the audience," Jack said. "Everybody was so supportive and happy for me to have this opportunity."

Jack's return to the role gives him a special opportunity to reunite with friends he made on tour. "I miss the cast and am excited to see everyone again," he noted. Jack especially connected with the two boys who shared the role of chip with him, rotating among the performances. "I had a lot of fun with them doing normal kid stuff like playing games and ball," Jack said.

Jack got some valuable advice from the older, more seasoned members of the cast. "I learned that the performances you give will not ever be perfect," he said. "But you must give 110 percent every time you're on stage."

Nicole Mullen, Jack's mom, says he grew as an individual and a performer. "Jack learned professionalism and accountability at a young age and his world was broadened," she noted. "Whether an introduction to show production from the backstage crew or a hands-on history excursion with his studio teacher, there were so many lessons learned."

Now back at FSPA, Jack plans to apply those lessons well. He noted, "I want to bring everything I've learned and all the effort I gave on tour and put it into my classes."

For more information about NETworks presentation of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, including show dates and itinerary, visit www.beautyandthebeastontour.com. To learn more about the Franklin School for the Performing Arts, call (508) 528-8668 or visit www.fspaonline.com.