Nov 30, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Scooter MacMillan, marketing director
Springer Opera House
706-256-0955
smacmillan@springeroperahouse.org
Columbus, GA—11.30.2015: The fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast” has been retold in books at least 17 times, as a film at least 12 times, for TV at least seven times, as an opera once and now the Broadway musical version is coming to the Springer stage.
The Springer’s version is the Disney retelling, remade from their 1991 animated version, which was the first animated film to make $100 million in North America and for some time the most successful Disney animated film ever.
The musical version which the Springer is producing is the ninth longest running Broadway show in history, having run for 13 years and 5,461 performances.
“This is the kind of success that comes to a show with an exciting and magical story, wonderful music, incredible costumes and a story that’s popular with all ages,” said Paul Pierce, the Springer’s producing artistic director. “It’s exactly the kind of show that people particularly love to see at the Springer during the holidays.”
The story of the musical version of “Beauty and Beast” begins with a prince, who refuses shelter to an old beggar woman. She happens to be an enchantress. Because of the prince’s selfishness, she turns him into a horrible beast and all his servants into household objects. She informs him that the only way the spell can be broken is if he finds try love, in spite of his horrid appearance.
The “Beauty” part of the story comes with the entrance of Belle, who is not only lovely but well read. She introduces “the Beast” to love and love of reading.
The Beast/Prince is played by Andy Harvey who returns to Columbus after playing Shrek in “Shrek” and the world famous tenor in “Lend Me a Tenor” last year and Jean Valjean in “Les Misérables” in 2014.
Sally Swanson plays Belle. She has appeared at the Springer this fall as Bebe Benzenheimer in “A Chorus Line.” She’s also appeared at the State Theatre of Georgia in “The Producers,” “Mary Poppins,” “Les Misérables” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
“Beauty and the Beast” opens with public performances at 7:30 p.m., Thursday-Saturday. It will continue with performances Dec. 10-12 and Dec. 17-19 and 2:30 p.m., Sundays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20.
For tickets or more information, visit springeroperahouse.org or call 706-327-3688.
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