“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, is coming to Morgantown as part of the University Arts Series. Produced by NETworks Presentations, this elaborate theatrical production will come to life on stage at the West Virginia University Creative Arts Center for three shows between May 20 and 21.

For information on the production, visit www.BeautyAndTheBeastOnTour.com.

“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” features the animated film’s Academy Award-winning score with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman, with additional songs with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice. The book was written by Linda Woolverton.

The original creators of the Broadway production are together again for this new touring production. The play is directed by Rob Roth and choreographed by Matt West, with costume design by Ann Hould-Ward (Tony Award winner for her work on “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast”), lighting design by Natasha Katz, scenic design by Stanley A. Meyer, sound design by John Petrafesa Jr. and music supervision by Michael Kosarin.

Director Rob Roth: “It has been wonderful to bring the entire original design team back together to work on this new production of “Beauty and the Beast.” As a director, it is rare to have the opportunity to revisit your work 15 years later. Hopefully I’ve grown and developed as an artist, along with my collaborators, and we can bring 15 years of experience to this new production.

“We have remained very close as a team over the years of producing the show around the world, and it has been so much fun getting together to re-explore and re-invent the show for this new NETworks tour. The theme of ‘Beauty’ is about seeing past the exterior into the heart of someone, and this is reflected in the design for the show, which is about transparency and layers, seeing past one thing and into another.”

“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” is the classic story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped in a spell placed by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end, and he will be transformed to 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. “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” has become an international sensation that has played to more than 35 million people worldwide in 21 countries.

Performances run from May 20 at 7:30 p.m. to May 21 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Group sales are underway for groups of 20 or more. Groups may call 304-293-2670. Tickets are on sale now. For additional information, visit events.wvu.edu. Tickets may be purchased at the Mountainlair and Creative Arts Center box offices. Tickets range in price from $42 to $57, depending on seat location. WVU Students can purchase tickets for $32 with a valid WVU Student I.D. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 304-293-SHOW.

The University Arts Series is produced by WVU Arts & Entertainment. For more event information, please call 304-293-SHOW, or visit us online at events.wvu.edu.

For additional information, photographs and to arrange interviews, please contact Ali Daly or visit www.events.wvu.edu.

MEDIA INFORMATION: Ali Daly, 304-293-8222
TICKET INFORMATION: Mountainlair and CAC box offices, all Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, events.wvu.edu, 304-293-SHOW, 800-745-3000

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