Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is set to open June 2 in New Jersey after beginning preview performances May 29. The production, helmed by Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, is scheduled to play through July 3.
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.
They will be joined by 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.
Flip through photos of the production below:
The Disney musical was written Alan Menken (music), Howard Ashman and Tim Rice (lyrics), and Linda Woolverton (book). The production will feature choreography by Alex Sanchez and music direction by Michael Borth.
The staging also features 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, makeup design by Dena Olivieri, enchanted objects by Travis Halsey, and fight direction by Rick Sordelet. The production stage manager is Andrea Cibelli. Casting by Telsey + Company, Rebecca Scholl, CSA.
Paper Mill will present an autism-friendly performance June 26 at 1:30pm.