Beauty/Beast National Theatre’s Guest For The Next Two Weeks!

NORTHWEST -- Children of all ages, the younger perhaps better costumed than their parental counterparts, flocked to The National Theatre on Tuesday evening, for the opening night of the latest stage adaptation of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast to hit D.C.

Performer Emily Behny as Belle.

Performer Dane Agostinis as the Beast.
Having played in more than twenty different countries to an audience of 35+ million, the smash hit Broadway musical is hardly unknown to Washington audiences. But the excitement level was nevertheless no less palpable, as kids tugged at parents arms and adults hummed some of the show’s signature songs while waiting in line.

Helping drive such enthusiasm is the return of the Broadway production’s original creators to this latest touring production, which will remain in town from now until the final evening performance on Sunday, June 24th.

Performer Julia Louise Hosack as Mrs. Potts.

Performer Gabriel Reis as Chip.
“It has been wonderful to bring the entire original design team back together to work on this new production of Beauty and the Beast,” said Director Rob Roth. “As a director, it is rare to have the opportunity to revisit your work fifteen 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.”

Lighting tests.

Orchestra rehearsal.
For those who have been living under a rock for the past two decades, Beauty and the Beast tells the story of Belle (played by Emily Behny), a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast (played by Dane Agostinis), 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. And if the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.

Michael Haller as Lumiere.
Lumiere, cameras, action!