Beauty & the Beast

[Adaptation, Words & Music by Kevin M Reese]

History:
BEAUTY & THE BEAST was first produced by the Wichita Children's Theatre and Dance Center's Centerstage Company (resident high school amateur acting company) for their Picnic in the Park series. It opened July 22, 1993 and played eight performances. David Burge directed and the Accompanist was David Borth. A subsequent production was presented using this revised script by the Wichita Children's Theatre Professional Touring Company. It opened September 27, 1994 and played 147 performances over a seven-month touring period. John (JB) Boldenow directed, Susan Hearne was the Music Director, Michelle Schoenhofer was Choreographer, and J Branson was the Set Designer.

Production Length: 55 minutes. Recommended for Audiences Age 4 and up.

Characters: 
Narrator (Jean-Paul) (M or F)
Beauty (Emilie) (F)
Janella (M or F)
Drucilla (M or F)
Father (M)
Beast (Prince Arthur) (M)

Original Cast: 6, 3 Men, 3 Women.

Beauty's sisters are driving her crazy! They don't do any work around the house and just sit around and complain (it makes you wonder if they're related to Cinderella's stepsisters!). But Beauty doesn't have to listen to them much longer, because she is about to meet the Beast. We'll watch Beauty take her father's place as the Beast's prisoner, and we'll also watch Beauty discover what it is about a person that really makes them special.

THEME: "It's What's Inside That Counts"

MUSIC: 
(Note:  The songs in this show are only in 1 key (the original)

#1 Parlez-Vous Français? (Narrator)
#2 The Letter (Father, Janella, Drucilla)
#3 City Girl Trapped in a Farm Girl's Body (Janella & Drucilla)
#4 I'm Sorry (Father & Beauty)
#5 Beauty in the Beast (Beauty & Beast)
#6 Finale: Once Upon a Time (Everyone)

Educational Study Guide Available