A Beauty and the Beast Especially for Kids

A BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS

A new version of the classic tale,  Beauty and the Beast,  will mark Winnetka Theatre's  fifth season presenting popular, one-hour musicals for children ages 3-10.  The production, directed by professional director/choreographer Stacey Flaster (Evanston), opens January 17 and runs through February 1 at the Winnetka Community House, 620 Lincoln Ave,  Winnetka.

Winnetka Theatre's Beauty and the Beast, written by Marc Robin,  tells the adventures of Rose, the Beauty,  and Chadwick, the Beast who once was a Prince.  Children will be introduced to  Rose, her papa, her silly sisters, and all the other characters as they tell a tale of ageless love and beauty that comes from the heart.    "Children delight in this interactive show," director Flaster says. "It is filled with suspense, humor and, of course, a perfect, happily ever-after ending!"   She adds that the Beast in this non-Disney version is "not too scary for little kids."  A special feature of Winnetka Theatre's Especially for Kids shows is that children get to meet and talk to the actors after the show.  "The kids really love talking to the actors.  It's a very exciting hands-on introduction to theatre for little ones, " Flaster says.

The adult cast of Beauty and the Beastcomes from throughout the Chicagoland area.  It stars Jon Cunningham (Schaumburg),  Summar Jonas (Chicago),  Mark Johnson (Naperville),   Marian Kaderbek (Chicago),  Joe Schmitt (Glenview), Sarah Jane Blevins (Streamwood), Ashley Stricker (Streamwood) ,  Mike Weaver (Glencoe)  and Lane Wheeler (Wheeling).

Show times for Beauty and the Beast are Saturdays at 1 and 4pm,  and Sundays at  noon and 3pm.All tickets are $10 and may be purchased by calling 847-604-0275, or online at www.winnetkatheatre.org.

Winnetka Theatre, and its affiliate Big Noise Theatre Company, is a 35-year-old,  non-equity  theatre organization  which presents a full season of three adult plays and musicals and two Especially for Kids productions at the Community House and Prairie Lakes Theatre in Des Plaines.  More information on the season can be found at www.bignoise.org