Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast opened June 2 in New Jersey after beginning preview performances May 29. Watch highlights from the production in the video above.
The production, helmed by Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, is scheduled to play through July 3. There will be an autism-friendly performance June 26 matinée.
Beauty and the Beast stars Belinda Allyn and Tally Sessions in the title roles. Rounding out the principal cast are Tony Award nominee Gavin Lee (SpongeBob SquarePants) as Lumiere, Joel Blum (Show Boat) as Maurice, Jenelle Chu (Bernhardt/Hamlet) as Babette, Kevin Curtis (Paper Mill’s A Chorus Line) as Lefou, Donna English (Paper Mill’s Lend Me a Tenor) as Madame de la Grande Bouche, Stacia Fernandez (Paper Mill’s Bandstand) as Mrs. Potts, Kevin Ligon (Hello Dolly!) as Cogsworth, and Stephen Mark Lukas (The Book of Morman) as Gaston, with Gianni David Faruolo (Fun Home) and Antonio Watson (This Ain’t No Disco) alternating in the role of Chip.
Also in the cast Joe Bigelow, Monica Cioffi, Brittany Conigatti, Justin DeParis, Stephen DiBiase, Jennifer Evans, Annie Gagen, David Michael Garry, Leeds Hill, Brett Michael Lockley, Michael Milkanin, Corinne Munsch, Brett Pederson, Alexa Racioppi, Taylor Rosenberger, Molly Rushing, Bronwyn Tarboton, Matthew Vincent Taylor, and Cynthia Thorne.
Beauty and the Beast features a book by Linda Woolverton with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. This production features choreography by Alex Sanchez, music direction by Michael Borth, scenic design by Kelly James Tighe, costume design by Leon Dobkowski, lighting design by Charlie Morrison, sound design by Matt Kraus, hair and wig design by Leah J. Loukas, make-up design by Dena Olivieri, fight direction by Rick Sordelet, with casting by Telsey + Company.