Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" comes to Miller Auditorium
Jan. 10, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," the Tony Award-winning hit musical is coming to Western Michigan University's Miller Auditorium Tuesday through Sunday, Jan. 21-26, for eight performances.
"Kalamazoo audiences will enjoy the same full-length Broadway musical, complete with spectacular production numbers, Tony Award-winning costumes and unforgettable songs, which has been wowing audience throughout the world," said Peter Schneider and Thomas Schumacher, producers for Disney Theatricals.
Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Jan. 21-23; 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25; and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26. Regular ticket prices range from $25-55 depending on performance time and seat location. For tickets, call (269) 387-2300 or toll free (800) 228-9858, order online at <www.millerauditorium.com> or visit the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office or the Epic Center Box Office in downtown Kalamazoo.
Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" features the animated film's Academy Award-winning score with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman, plus an additional song by Ashman and Menken, "Human Again," not heard in the film. The play also includes seven brand new songs with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice. The book was written by Linda Woolverton, who also wrote the screenplay for the animated film. The play is directed by Robert Jess Roth.
With technical wizardry and imaginative design, Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" is transferred from screen to stage, enhancing the elements that made the animated film a world favorite. The Tony Award-winning costumes are by Ann Hould-Ward ("Sunday in the Park with George" and "Into the Woods") and lighting design by Natasha Katz (the revivals of "Gypsy" and "Peter Pan"). Director Robert Jess Roth, choreographer Matt West and scenic designer Stanley A. Meyer have worked together as a team for a number of years developing projects for Disney. Jim Steinmeyer and John Gauhan, creators of the illusions, have invented effects that have been performed by David Copperfield, Siegfried and Roy, Harry Blackstone and many others.
Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" has become an international sensation that has played to over 17 million people worldwide. The Tony Award-winning musical currently has three companies including New York, where the Broadway production is now in its eighth year; Madrid, Spain; and the National Touring Company.
Media contact: Krista Iles, 269 387-2298, krista.iles@wmich.edu