James Snyder, Kelli Berglund, and Harrison White complete the cast of the Lythgoe Family Panto production of Beauty and the Beast—A Christmas Rose, which will be presented December 13–24 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California.
Berglund (Disney XD’s Lab Rats) will play Belle with Snyder (Broadway’s If/Then) as Gus and White (Broadway’s The Lion King) as Dame Chanel.
The three join the previously announced Jonah Platt (Broadway’s Wicked) as The Beast, Gedde Watanabe (Broadway’s Pacific Overtures, John Hughes’ Sixteen Candles) as Maurice, Jared Gertner (Broadway’s The Book of Mormon) as Pierre, and Tony nominee John Tartaglia (Broadway’s Shrek The Musical, Avenue Q) as Bistro.
The ensemble comprises Jessica Richens, Jennifer Bermeo, Alyse Rockett, Annie Gratton, Wally Pham, Branson Hudson, Darnell Joseph, and Mason Trueblood. The Youth Ensemble features Emmanuel Martin Lewis, JD Bering, Caden Miller, Bryanna Fernandez, Madison Han, Yasmine Arya, Cameron Steen, Cody Copley, Joshua E. Guerrero, Layla Krugh, Brooklyn Bustamante, and Lexi Hernandez.
The production will be directed by Sheldon Epps and choreographed by La La Land's Mandy Moore, with book by Kris Lythgoe and music direction and arrangements by Michael Orland (American Idol). Bonnie Lythgoe will serve as executive director and oversee the production. Casting is by Becky Lythgoe.
Beauty and the Beast—A Christmas Rose, in the style of a traditional British family Panto, will feature family-friendly magic, dancing, contemporary music, and more.
In an earlier statement, director Epps said, “I am thrilled to know that this impressive quartet of versatile actors will join the full company of artists that is coming together to create yet another dazzling Panto in Pasadena. It's fortunate that this year's production will take place at the Civic, as I believe it will take this larger space to encompass the huge talents of such a wonderful cast. I very much look forward to this exciting collaboration.”
Tickets start at $28 and can be purchased online at BeautyAndTheBeastPanto, at The Pasadena Civic Auditorium, or by calling (800) 982-2787. Golden Tickets, which allow the ticket holder (children ages 4–12 only) a special onstage experience during the production, are available for an additional $60 each.
