July 17, 2017 *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* *PLAYERS GUILD THEATRE ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR MAINSTAGE MUSICAL, DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST!* CANTON, OH – Players Guild Theatre Producing Artistic Director, Joshua Erichsen, is pleased to announce auditions for the beloved musical BEAUTY AND THE BEAST will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Experience “the tale as old as time” and step into the enchanted world of Broadway’s modern classic, Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, nominated for nine Tony Awards! BEAUTY AND THE BEAST will be directed by Jon Tisevich, with choreography by Michael Lawrence Akers and music direction by Steve Parsons. Auditions will be held at the Players Guild Theatre, located at 1001 Market Ave., N., in the Cultural Center for the Arts, on Saturday, July 29th with currently available audition time slots at 3:30, 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00 and 8:30 PM. Dance Callbacks will be held on Sunday, July 30th and Principal Callbacks will be held on Monday, July 31st. Actors are asked to please prepare 32 bars of a musical theatre song that best showcases their vocal ability, and bring the corresponding sheet music in the appropriate key. An accompanist will be provided. In addition, they are asked to bring a current photo or provide a headshot/resume if available. *Diverse and non-traditional casting will be considered for all roles.* Those wishing to audition are asked to make an appointment for an audition time slot by filling out the online audition form at *www.playersguildtheatre.com/audition <http://www.playersguildtheatre.com/audition>*. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST will be presented on the Mainstage, and is scheduled to open on Friday, September 22nd and will run through October 8th, with performances on Fridays & Saturdays @ 8:00 PM and Sundays @ 2:00 PM. Additionally, there are four scheduled student matinee performances on September 26 & 27, and October 3 & 4 at 10:00 AM. *Character Breakdown/Roles Available**: * *Belle (PAID ROLE)*:** Female, late teens – late 20s, any ethnicity; courageous, vibrant, intelligent girl with beauty, who wants more out of the life than an ordinary existence. She is optimistic, fun-loving, caring, and eager to experience life. Vocal range: E3 - F5. *$450 stipend for the rehearsal period and all performances (13). * *Beast/Prince (PAID ROLE)*:** Male, 20s-30s, any ethnicity; a prince transformed into a terrifying beast for his lack of compassion. He is hot-tempered and commanding, but has a warm, loving heart buried far beneath his gruff exterior. Vocal range: A2 – F4. *$450 stipend for the rehearsal period and all performances (13). * *Gaston (PAID ROLE)*:** Male, 20s-30s, any ethnicity; egotistical, ultra-masculine villain determined to marry Belle. He is manipulative yet charming. Vocal range: A2 – E4. *$350 stipend for the rehearsal period and all performances (13). * *Lumiere**: Male, late 20s-60s, any ethnicity; suave, debonair enchanted candelabra. He is a loyal and steadfast servant. Strong comedic actor. Dancing a plus. Vocal range: F#2 - F#4.* *Cogsworth**: Male, late 20s-60s, any ethnicity; a tightly-wound, enchanted mantle clock and the head of the Beast’s household. He is uptight, strict, and punctual, hard-working, faithful, and thorough. Strong comedic actor. Vocal range: A2 - E4.* *Maurice**: Male, 30s-60s, any ethnicity; Belle’s loving, eccentric father. A child at heart and inventor in his own world. Vocal range: Bb2 - Db4.* *Mrs. Potts**: Female, late 20s-60s, any ethnicity; a warm-hearted, maternal enchanted teapot. Chip’s mother. She is loyal, caring, and playful. Vocal range: F#3 - G5.* *Chip**: Male, 8-11, any ethnicity; an enchanted teacup and Mrs. Potts’ darling little boy. He is innocent, playful, and bright-eyed. Vocal range: A3 - F5.* *LeFou**: Male, 20s-30s, any ethnicity; Gaston’s bumbling sidekick. He is loyal, energetic, and optimistic, but not quite the brightest guy. Strong comedic actor. Vocal range: B2 - F#4.* *Madame De La Grand Bouche**: Female, 20s-40s, any ethnicity; a former opera diva-turned-enchanted wardrobe. She has a caring, refined, larger than life personality. Vocal range: C#4 - D5.* *Babette**: Female, late teens – 30s, any ethnicity; a saucy, enchanted feather-duster, and the object of Lumiere’s affections. She is the playful, gorgeous, seductive French maid. Dancing a plus. Vocal range: C4 - F5.* *Monsieur D’arque**: Male, late 20s-50s, any ethnicity; The scheming proprietor of the local insane asylum. He is a dark, sinister villain who aides Gaston in his plot to marry Belle. Vocal range: D3 - A4.* *Ensemble**: Males and Females, teens – 50s, any ethnicity; strong singers and dancers to play multiple roles including townspeople, enchanted castle objects, wolves, & others.* The Players Guild Theatre receives support from these generous partners: Arts In Stark, The Ohio Arts Council, The Canton Repository and 89.7 WKSU. ####