PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 11/02/17

Contact: Andrew Rothman
From: Chagrin Valley Little Theatre

40 River Street
Chagrin Falls, OH 44122
Phone: 440-247-8955
E-mail: cvlt@cvlt.org
Website: www.cvlt.org

CVLT lights up the holiday stage with "Disney’s Beauty and the Beast' Nov. 17 – Dec. 16

CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio – Add a little magic to your holiday season by catching a live musical performance of Chagrin Valley Little Theatre’s “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” on stage with 13 weekend performances Nov. 17 – Dec. 16. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets for the Sunday matinee on December 3 have already sold out, and the 2 PM matinee on December 10 is approaching capacity. Tickets for the November 26 matinee remain available via Friends of WomenSafe at (440) 285-3741 or www.fows.info.

"Beauty and the Beast" is the modern retelling of an 18th century French fairy tale, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice — the same composers behind Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors, and other hits of stage and screen. Director Will C. Crosby plans to stay true Disney's adaptation of this classic story of love and redemption, but he promises to add a surprise twist or two that will add to the magic of live theater and stir the imaginations of adults and children.

“The show will appeal to all ages,” Crosby said. “It’s a larger-than-life musical. It has a love story, a prince, a sword fight, a beast, and magical characters, such as an enchantress, flatware that comes to life, along with a singing tea pot, wardrobe, and candelabra. Not many musicals have all of that going in one performance. The music is the backbone that holds it all together, and we will have nine musicians in our orchestra.”

The show is a major undertaking for CVLT, with multiple set changes, elaborate costumes, and a cast of 34 people, including members of several local families, including the Firehammers, Emericks, and Cangelosis. Stephen Berg plays the role of “Beast” to Kaitlyn Harris’ “Belle.” Other leading players include Paul Josell as “Lumiere,” Tom Jones as "Cogsworth," Robin Cangelosi as "Mrs. Potts," and John Kolar as the villainous “Gaston.”

David W. Coxe is the production’s Music Director and Conductor, with costumes and choreography by Kaylea Kudlaty and sets, sound, and lighting by Technical Director Edmond Wolff.

Tickets are $20 with a $4 discount for seniors and students. Group rates for parties of 10 or more adults and fundraiser re-sale are available. Tickets may be purchased at CVLT.org, by calling 440-247-8955, or at the Box Office located at 40 River St. in Chagrin Falls. Box Office hours are 1 - 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

CVLT is generously funded by Cuyahoga County residents through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture and supported by the Ohio Arts Council. CVLT is a proud member of the American Association of Community Theatre and the Ohio Community Theatre Association.

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