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Area Stage Company (ASC) will present its new immersive version of Disney’s “tale as old as time” classic, Beauty and The Beast, in August at the Adrienne Arsht Center’s Carnival Studio Theatre.
The beloved Broadway classic will display new twists to the show’s presentation, placing the audience directly in the heart of Beast’s enchanted castle. Audience members are invited to dine alongside Belle during “Be Our Guest” and raise their mugs with Lefou in the tavern during “Gaston,” providing a magical Disney experience like no other.
“We wanted to take this story that everyone knows and provide our own 21st century unique interpretation of it,” says Maria Banda-Rodaz, Executive Director of Area Stage Company. “What better way than to make the audience part of the show!”
“The play was written for actors to play objects that come to life in the play such as Lumiere, Mrs. Potts, Cogsworth, Chip, and more,” explains Banda-Rodaz. “In our version, the objects will be real objects transformed and brought to life through a skilled group of actors who will also serve as simple puppeteers.”
Directing this reimagined musical production is Giancarlo Rodaz, a rising South Florida theatre star and director whose recent immersive version of Annie won him a fresh round of critical praise.
“Being a theatre artist is an exciting challenge in the modern age. Taking what we learned from Annie, we are turning this Broadway musical into a magical Disney experience of epic proportions,” says Rodaz. “As a long time fan of the play, film, and score of Beauty and The Beast, I am thrilled to bring this magical world to life in way that truly captures and immerses audiences.”
Rounding out the talented cast is Maxime Prissert as The Beast, Yarden Barr as Belle, Frank Montoto as Gaston and Lumiere, John Mazuelos as Lefou and Cogsworth, Imran Hylton as Madame and Maurice, Katie Duerr as Mrs. Potts, Luke Surretsky as Chip, and Greta Hicks as Babette.
