Theatre Set to Enchant with Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Penobscot Theatre Company is proud to present Disney's Beauty and the Beast, December 7-30, 2017, at the historic Bangor Opera House. "This holiday season," said Producing Artistic Director Bari Newport, "gather your loved ones and be our guest, be our guest, put our magic to the test! In keeping with our holiday tradition, this show has all the whistles and one spectacular Belle. With gorgeous scenery, lush costumes and extraordinary talent on stage and in the pit, it will sweep you away!"

In the role of Belle, the brainy beauty at the heart of this beloved tale, is Jazmin Gorsline, AEA. Gorsline recently returned from Hamburg, Germany, where she played the role of Christine Daae in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies, the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera. She also performed previously as Eliza in the Cameron Mackintosh National Tour of M. Fair Lady, in Carnival! at The Kennedy Center, and in leading roles in regional productions of Hello, Dolly!, Fiddler on the Roof, Les Miserables and more.

Gorsline joins a large cast of outstanding local performers: Cory Osborne (Beast), Ira Kramer (Gaston), Dominick Varney (Lumiere), Ben Layman (Cogsworth), Brianne Beck (Babette), Annie Leonardi-Merchant (Mrs. Potts), Cuthbert Cammett Henninger Steadman (Chip), Arthur Morison (Maurice), Jennifer Shepard (Lefou), Elena DeSiervo Burns (Madame De La Grande Bouche), Alekzander Sayers (Monsieur D'Arque/Ensemble); and other ensemble members Danielle Barrett, Elisabeth Budd (Belle u/s), Grace Livingston (dance captain), Noam Osher, Bob Potts, Nathan Reeves, Alexander P. Ross and Michelle Wilke.

At the helm is director and choreographer Ethan Paulini, whose energetic, honest approach to storytelling earned raves in last season's The Full Monty. Beauty and the Beast includes all eight musical numbers from the original Disney film, including the soaring title song, "Be Our Guest" and the comical "Gaston," plus six songs written especially for the stage adaptation. Musical director and pianist Larrance Fingerhut is leading standout musicians Amanda Cushman (violin), Scott Rapaport (clarinet), Marisa Solomon (cello), Sophia Steadman (violin, woodwinds) and Lori Wingo (horns).

Beauty and the Beast will feature scenery by Moriah and Isabel Curley-Clay, the award-winning Atlanta-based design team Axis Studios; prop designs by Emmy-nominated Chez Cherry; sound by Katie Guzzi; and lighting by Scout Hough. Show tickets are available online at www.penobscottheatre.org or through the box office, located at 131 Main Street, Bangor; (207) 942-3333. Ticket prices range from $30-38 for adults, depending on performance date. Exclusive discounts are available for subscribers and military; student tickets are $20 each.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast is produced in partnership with Bangor Savings Bank with generous support from Bangor International Airport, Bucksport Veterinary Hospital, Maine Savings Federal Credit Union, Novio's Bistro, Vance Gray Wealth Management; and season sponsors Bangor Daily News, Blueberry Broadcasting, Canyon Networks, The Maine Edge, The Maine Arts Commission, Darling's, Downtown with Rich Kimball, The Tarratine, Wave Radio, WLBZ Channel 2, and ZONE Radio.