Virginia Repertory Theatre to Present Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Virginia Repertory announces the opening of Disney's Beauty and the Beast on Friday April 21, 2017 at the November Theatre, 114 West Broad Street. The show will run through May 14, 2017.

With a book by Linda Woolverton, music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, this timeless musical features a cast of 24, lavish costumes, and a stunning set.

Director and Choreographer, Robin Arthur, returns to direct the show for the second time. She directed Virginia Rep's original production in 2006. Other directing credits include Shrek, the Musical, Seussical, and Annie for Virginia Rep. Jason Marks will serve as Music Director, having played the role of Maurice in the 2006 production. Other music direction credits include: Seussical, They're Playing Our Song, Olympus On My Mind for Virginia Rep, Joseph...Dreamcoat, Company, Les Miserables, 13, and Damn Yankees for Jewish Family Theatre. He serves as resident music director for Virginia Rep on Tour, and is an accomplished composer, having penned numerous works for the stage including the award-winning Croaker.

Lynne M. Hartman will serve as lighting designer. Virginia Rep designs include Airline Highway, Gypsy, Mame, Treasure Island, Other Desert Cities, Shrek, the Musical, The Music Man, Red, The Producers, Spring Awakening, Seussical, Legacy of Light (2011 RTCC Award), The Sound of Music (2010 RTCC Award). The set for this production was originally designed by Joel Sherry for the Marjorie Arenstein Stage at the November Theatre in 2006. The original costume designs were created by the late Terry Snyder, known for his artistry as a puppeteer and puppet design and building.

Virginia Rep is delighted to welcome Chauncey Trask in her Virginia Repertory Theatre debut in the lead role of Belle. Recent credits include Island Song (New York Drama League, Balagan Theatre); Les Miserables (Village Theatre); Varna's Opera and Revue Series, Die Zauberflöte (International Tour); Camelot (Arizona Broadway Theatre); My Fair Lady (Coeur d'Alene Theatre); Little Shop of Horrors (Mount Baker Theatre); Deadly Beloved (Village Theatre); 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Centerstage). Matt Polson joins the cast as Beast after playing Gaston in the 2006 production. Recent credits include Violet for Virginia Rep in partnership with Cadence Theatre Company, Oklahoma at Riverside Dinner Theatre and Design for Living at Richmond Triangle Players.

Landon Nagel will play the role of Gaston. He was last seen at Virginia Rep as Thomas Jefferson in 1776 and Bait Boy in Airline Highway. Timothy A. Fitz-Gerald will make his Virginia Rep debut as Lumiere after associate directing Virginia Rep's 1776. On Broadway, Tim created the role of Chris Bell in The Boy from Oz, opposite Hugh Jackman. Other credits include the tours of Wicked, Joseph....Dreamcoat, and Titanic. Also making his Virginia Rep debut is Happy Mahaney as Cogsworth. He last played the role of Sky in the Broadway North American Tour of Mamma Mia! Georgia Rogers Farmer joins the cast as Mrs. Potts. Recents credits include The Drowsy Chaperone and The Dixie Swim Club at Swift Creek Mill and Yank! A WWII Love Story at Richmond Triangle Players.

For tickets, call the Box Office at 804-282-2620 or go online at www.virginiarep.org. Full Price Tickets: Adults $48 - $60, Children $38 - $50. Discounted Group Rates and Rush tickets available. U-Tix for college and high school students $15. Available by phone or in person, day of show only. Valid Student ID required.

Schedule: Evening performances at 7:00 p.m. Fridays. Matinee performances at 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Saturdays, 2:00 p.m. on Sundays.

The Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre is equipped with a state-of the-art induction loop hearing system that is compatible with all telecoil-equipped hearing aids and cochlear implants. A handheld receiver and headphone system is also available free of charge for anyone who is hearing impaired.

Valet parking is available for $8 at all performances and free self-park is available for patrons within blocks of the theatre. Valet is complimentary for patrons who dine at Max's on Broad, before or after the show.

PRODUCTION TEAM:

Director and Choreographer Robin Arthur

Music Director Jason Marks

Set Design Joel Sherry

Lighting Designer Lynne M. Hartman+

Costume Designer Terry Snyder

Asst. to the Choreographer Brianna Larson

Production Stage Manager Jocelyn Thompson*

Asst. Stage Manager Luke Robinson*

Asst. Stage Manager Lydia Crush

CAST:

Belle Chauncey Trask

Beast Matt Polson

Gaston Landon Nagel*

Lumiere Timothy A. Fitz-Gerald*

Cogsworth Happy Mahaney*

Mrs. Potts Georgia Rogers Farmer

Chip Ethan Dumeer

Babette Hannah Zold

Le Fou Caleb Wade

Madame de la Grande Bouche Tara Callahan Carroll

Maurice Richard Koch

Ensemble Will Hart, Brandon Johns, Mallory Keene, Sara Burks, Diontey Michael, Makenzie Mercer, Michaela Nicole Schwarzchild, Abbie Swanson, Austin Taylor Smith, Isabella Stansbury

Children's Ensemble Tess Delice, Katie Hall, Hannah Jennison

Full bios and more information can be found at www.virginiarep.org.

Virginia Repertory Theatre is the regional professional theatre in Richmond, Virginia. With a budget of $5 million, four distinct venues, an educational touring arm, and an annual audience over 530,000, Virginia Rep is one of the largest performing arts organizations in Central Virginia. Virginia Rep stages four seasons annually: the Signature Season at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre, Theatre Gym Season in partnership with Cadence Theatre Company, Virginia Rep's Children's Season at Willow Lawn, and the Hanover Tavern Season.

* Member of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the U.S.A.
+ Member of USA United Scenic Artists: local 829

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