July 14, 2023
By Toby Scofield, POL Intern
A tale as old as time – Pickerington Community Theatre is excited to bring Disney’s Beauty and the Beast to the Wigwam stage July 14 to 23.
“Beauty and the Beast was Disney’s first Broadway musical adaptation, and it really has stood the test of time. We’re really excited to bring it to the PCT stage” said director Chris Gallaugher.
Beauty and the Beast focuses on Belle (Mackenzie Leland), a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast (Kyle Roby), 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 how to love and be loved soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
Rehearsals have been taking place since May.
Photo by Diane Gallaugher.
“While we have outstanding leads, we are also fortunate to have a ridiculously talented ensemble (which always makes a show that much better),” said Gallaugher. “As per usual, directing the show at my side is our brilliant choreographer, Jenny Small, and our incredible music director, Sue Laney (with an orchestra at the kind of talent level you rarely get in a community theatre show).
Andy Weible provides us with professional-level set design, and we have Sarah Hurwitz back as the most dependable stage manager you can imagine. In addition, we have the good fortune to have Dan Hildebrandt as our assistant director (his first effort in that role after years of being on-stage) and Jessica Ohler acting as dance captain (an experienced choreographer in her own right).”
PCT will be performing Beauty and the Beast at the Violet Township Community Theater, located at the Wigwam (10190 Blacklick-Eastern Road Northwest). There will be eight performances total, with four 2 p.m. shows (Saturdays and Sundays), and four 8 p.m. shows (Fridays and Saturdays).
You can buy tickets at pctshows.com, for $19.00 per adult. Children under 12 and seniors 55 and older pay $17.00. Please buy your tickets early, as the shows are likely to sell out.
Cast includes: Belle – Mackenzie Leland, The Beast – Kyle Roby, Gaston – Ben Marteney, Lefou – Max Debalzo, Lumiere – Connor Daugherty, Cogsworth – Dan Heaton, Mrs. Potts – Angela Russell, Chip – Nora West, Babette – Lindsey Capritta, Wardrobe – Liz West, Maurice – Dan Griscom. Next up for PCT will be School of Rock October 6 to 15.
