*PLAYERS GUILD THEATRE PROUDLY PRESENTS THE MAINSTAGE MUSICAL, * *DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST!* CANTON, OH – The Players Guild Theatre and William and Sharon Luntz are proud to present Disney’s beloved classic, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST as the first Mainstage production of the 17-18 season. Step into the enchanted world of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Broadway’s modern classic nominated for nine Tony Awards®, including Best Musical! Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, 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. Bring the entire family and enjoy the magical experience live on the Players Guild stage!! 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. Tickets for this Mainstage Musical are $29.00 for adults, $26.00 for seniors and $22.00 for those 17 years old and younger. Tickets for all performances may be purchased online 24 hours a day at www.playersguildtheatre.com or in person at the Players Guild Box Office, located in the Great Court of the Cultural Center for the Arts, 1001 Market Ave N. Tickets may also be purchased by phone: 330-453-7617. The BEAUTY AND THE BEAST production team includes: Joshua Erichsen, Producing Artistic Director (& Scenic Design) Jonathan Tisevich, Resident Director Steve Parsons, Music Director Michael Lawrence Akers, Choreographer Scott Sutton, Lighting and Sound Design Susie I. Smith & Stephen Ostertag, Costume Team Micah Harvey, Scene Shop Manager & Master Carpenter The BEAUTY AND THE BEAST cast includes: Belle – RACHEL SMITH Beast/Prince – SEAN FLEMING Gaston – MASON STEWART Lumiere – JUSTIN WOODY Cogsworth – JACOB SUSTERSIC Maurice – RALPH COOLEY Mrs. Potts – JULIE CONNAIR Babette – DESIRÉE HARGRAVE Chip – NOAH TISEVICH Lefou – ANTHONY WOODS-MITCHELL Wardrobe – TEHILAH CAVINESS Monsieur D’arque & others – RUSSELL JONES BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is presented through the generosity of the presenting sponsor, William & Sharon Luntz. The Players Guild Theatre receives support from these generous partners: Arts In Stark, The Ohio Arts Council, The Canton Repository and 89.7 WKSU. ####