Overview
DISNEY BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
July 15 - 30
Fri - Sat 7pm, Sat-Sun Matinees 2pm
Running Time 2 hours 20 minutes including intermission.
Music by Alan M 
enken
Book by Linda Woolverton
Lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice
Originally Directed by Robert Jess Roth
Originally Produced by Disney Theatrecal Productoins
Step into the enchanted world of Broadway's classic, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, an international sensation that has been produced in 37 countries worldwide. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over thirteen years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
This "tale as old as time" is filled with magic, spectacular music, costumes and sets. A show for all ages and generations!
All shows are now presented INDOORS in the spacious NCHS Theatre adapted for this professional production.
11 Farm Road, New Canaan CT Just off Rt 124 (South Avenue) and Merritt Exit 37. Adjacent to Waveny Park.
Production Team
Production Creative Team
Director: Melody Meitrott Libonati
Choreographer: Doug Shankman
Music Director: Nick Wilders
Costume Supervisor: Arthur Oliver
Sound Design: Daniel Bria
Lighting Design: Kevin Gleason
Fight Choreographer: Dan Renkin
Technical Director: James Hart
Company Manager: Brad Harder
Production Manager: Jake B Rydell
Master Electrician: Joey Mejia**
Scenic Design: Gateway Productions
Production Stage Manager: Emily Todt*
Executive Producer: Ed Libonati
*Member of Actors Equity Association
** Member I.A. Local 74
Cast
Press
Reviews:
"This performance is spectacular and splendid for the whole family to enjoy....
It could easily be the highlight of your whole summer season! The entire cast is tremendous, the story is wonderful, the costumes-all 200 of them-are fantastic, and the giant castle actually revolves. What more could you desire? Discover how “happily ever after” is the way all fairy tales are supposed to end…and this one does in spectacular fashion." Bonnie Goldberg - Hearst Media read full review
"Summer Theatre of New Canaan has produced a sparkling production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,...
The Beauty And The Beast cast features actress Ella Raymont in the title role of Belle and Shafiq Hicks in the role of the Beast.
Ella Raymont gives a very strong performance as Belle...(Shafiq) Hicks masterfully portrays the Beast, with a massive stage presence and wonderfully full vocal range...Jordan Goodsell fully embodies the character of Gaston, with muscles to spare and plenty of stage presence. Young Malcolm Durning bounces around the stage in the role of LeFou...soprano Gina Harnzlik is perfectly cast as Madame de la Grande Bouche. Raissa Katona Bennett of Norwalk, who has appeared on Broadway as Christine Daee in “Phantom, makes a lovely Mrs. Potts, singing the title song beautifully... Stephen Petrovich shines in the great role of Lumiere...Howard Pinhasik gives a heartfelt performance as Belle’s adoring father Maurice...Alex Pouloutides is a lovely feather duster Babette... long-time STONC performer Brian Silliman fully commits to the fun role of Cogsworth the grandfather clock. Carlos Velasquez-Escamilla makes his debut with this company as an adorable Chip." By Nancy Sasso Janis - PATCH read full review
Press Release:
Disney’s Beauty And The Beast Opens 20th Summer Theatre Season
The Summer Theatre of New Canaan (STONC), opens its 20th season with the Broadway musical spectacular Beauty And The Beast July 15th. This production features magical costumes, a magnificent revolving Beast Castle, flying and a large professional cast and orchestra. This multi-award winning show ran for 13 years on Broadway and still continues to thrill audiences of all ages around the world.
This summer STONC is moving its season indoors by adapting and upgrading the spacious New Canaan High School theatre to accommodate this epic production. “We’re excited to create the theatrical magic needed for this musical by upgrading the theatre space. It also makes this show more accessible to our patrons this summer, be they 6 or 76.” explains Melody Meitrott Libonati, founding Artistic Director, Broadway actress and who will also direct this production. Tickets sales show audiences are an even split between families, adults and seniors from across Fairfield County proving the show retains a broad appeal.
New York actor Brian Silliman who has played multiple comic leads for STONC and often stopping the show, will play Cogs-Worth (the animated clock). Local Connecticut artist Raissa Katona Bennett who played Christine in the Broadway Production of Phantom of the Opera will perform the role of Mrs. Potts who sings the signature song of the show “Beauty and the Beast”. CT artist Stephen Petrovich will play the role of Lumiere, Carlos Velasquez-Escamilla as Chip, Alexandra Pouloutides as Babette, Gina Hanzlik as Madame de la Grande Bouche,
Photo Credit: Suzannah Gold:
Jordan Goodsell the role of Gaston, Malcom Durning as LeFou, Howard Pinhasik as Maurice and Grahm Mortier as Monsieur D’Arque. Ensemble roles and covers will be performed by Sarah Juliano, Joey Caskey, Camile Capers, Easton Edwards, Andy Diaz, Adam Shapiro, Max Boone, T Travis Cooper and Michelle Arotsky. College acting interns include Lily Anderson, Athan Brady, Madeline d la Parra, David Hoffman, Lauren Hondered and Sydney Jackson and Joseph Turner.
The season’s production team includes: Doug Shankman choreography, Nick Wilders music director, Kevin Gleason lighting design, Arthur Oliver costume supervision, Daniel Bria sound design, James Hart Technical Director and Emily Todt production stage manager.
Performances are at the NCHS Theatre located at 11 Farm Road (adjacent to Waveny Park) New Canaan, CT. The theatre has been adapted to accommodate this production. Evening performances start at 7pm and weekend matinees at 2pm. Tickets and more information are available online at stonc.org or contact.
The Summer Theatre of New Canaan is a not-for-profit award-winning regional summer theatre based in New Canaan CT. Melody Meitrott Libonati is the founding artistic Director. Since 2004 it has presented over 80 Broadway musicals, Shakespeare and Theatre for a Young Audience (TYA) shows. STONC also has commissioned writers and produced new works and workshops (two new works moving off Broadway). The Bennack-Lake School Touring Program brings the theatre’s TYA shows to elementary schools and performing arts centers across Connecticut. STONC’s summer education and theatre training programs have been recognized for excellence and include a High School Pre-College Theatre Lab, the Junior Company (for middle school students), The Albert L. Perry III College Internship Program and the DramaRamas acting program for children 8-18 with special needs. All programs are made possible in part by funds from the State of Connecticut’ Department of Economic and Community Development, The CT Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts and the New Canaan Community Foundation. STONC has received recognition from the State of Connecticut and local communities for its cultural contributions. More info about programs and upcoming summer season at stonc.org.
This summer season sponsors include: Bankwell, Help For Kids, Karl Chevrolet, Walter Stewart’s Market, NewCanaanite.com, WSHU Public Radio, Performing Arts Conservatory of New Canaan, New Canaan Community Foundation, Hearst Corporation, CT Humanities, Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Office of the Arts, TPA Certified Public Accountants & Consultants.
Photos
Cast in early rehearsal at Performing Arts Conservatory of New Canaan
Castle Characters from Beauty and the Beast: L-R Cogsworth - Brian silliman, Babette - Alexandra Paulautides, Lumiere - Stephen Petrovich, Chip - Carlos Velasquez Escamilla, Mrs. Potts - Raissa Katona Bennett, Madame de la Grande Buche - Gina Hanslick
Shafiq Hicks in the role of the Beast and Ella Raymont in the role of Belle
"Gaston" Dress Rehearsal
Photo Credit: Suzannah Gold:
"Be Our Guest" Dress Rehearsal
