If you go
› What: “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.”› When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15.› Where: Robert Kirk Walker Theater in Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave.› Admission: $19 and $26 plus fees.› Website: www.cdoorent.com.
Disney fans have three chances left this weekend to catch Closed Door Entertainment’s production of “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.”
The classic love story between a provincial town’s beautiful young woman and a frightful beast will be presented Friday night, Oct. 14, and twice on Saturday, Oct. 15, at Memorial Auditorium.
“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” is marking its 25th anniversary of the 1991 movie. CDE Artistic Director JC Smith says this production of the musical was chosen, in part, as a nod to that silver anniversary and also “because it’s our 10th anniversary season and we wanted to do one of our most successful classics again.”
Kandace McInturff is cast as the beautiful Belle. A veteran of CDE productions, she has been in the casts of “Chicago,” “The Addams Family” and “Children of Eden.” Bo Calloway plays the prince who is doomed by an enchantress’ spell to live in the body of a beast until he finds true love. CDE patrons will remember Calloway from his roles as Javert in the production of “Les Miserables” and Captain Smith in “Titanic.”
If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But Beast is not easy to love, as Belle soon finds out. Time is running out, and if the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. The musical reiterates not to judge a person’s worth on looks alone, because looks can be deceiving and it’s what’s on the inside that counts.
David Riall and Smith have created sets for the production. Jessica Laliberte Bowman choreographed the numbers. Costumes are by Sherrie Taggart.
The cast will be accompanied by a 14-piece orchestra. Music direction is by Terry Sanford and Sarah Pearson.
“Even if you’ve seen the show 20 times before, the set is one like you’ve never seen, the costumes are all unique and coming to our show sends a message that Chattanoogans support local theatre, artisans, performers and musicians just as much, if not more so, than paid performers from afar,” says Smith
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.