(Augusta, MI) Walt Disney comes to the Barn Theatre!  The Disney smash hit musical BEAUTY AND THE BEAST will play August 3 - 22.  Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this very child-friendly musical extravaganza is filled with dazzling production numbers and memorable songs. 

Barn favorite Eric Parker, stars as the once-handsome-prince turned Beast who searches for the love that will break the spell placed upon him.  Starring as Belle is Danyelle Bossardet, a Barn leading-lady from our production of GUYS AND DOLLS earlier this summer, who also played Belle on the national tour of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.  Also joining the cast as the dashing Gaston is Barn newcomer, Guy LeMonnier.  No stranger to Michigan, this native of Grand Rapids is known nationally for his tour in the title role of JEKYLL & HYDE and locally for his several appearances with the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and Community Circle Theatre, which earned him two Grand Awards from the Grand Rapids Arts Council.

Belle, a strong-willed and intelligent woman, fends off the advances of the handsome hunter Gaston, prized eligible male of the village.  Meanwhile, Belle’s accident-prone, doting father, Maurice (Howard McBride), accidentally trespasses into the Beast’s castle and the Beast imprisons him.  In exchange for her father’s freedom Belle offers to become his prisoner forever, but once trapped inside the Beast’s castle she discovers that the castle is populated with once-human enchanted objects.   

Formerly the Prince's servants, these household items—candlesticks, potholders, spoons, napkins— all hope she will break the spell that turned their handsome prince into a monstrous beast.  Among the cast of knickknacks and whatnots are Lumiere, the Casanova candlestick, played by Scott Burkell, the flirtatious feather duster Babette, Penelope Alex, and Joe Aiello as the stern British clock, Cogsworth.  The castle’s entire ensemble, including Brooke Evans as the prima dona Wardrobe, welcomes Belle to the castle with the exciting memorable number, “Be Our Guest.”

As Mrs. Potts, second-year apprentice Kathryn M. Flynn, observes in the show-stopping ballad, “Beauty and the Beast,” the Beast begins to fall in love with Belle and little by little becomes less beastly.  But the spell can be broken only if the Beast can get her to love him in return.  And time is running out!

You’ll leave your seats humming marvelous Disney songs including “Be Our Guest,” “Human Again,” “Gaston,” and the gorgeous title number, “Beauty and the Beast.”  Please “Be our guest” and bring someone you love to experience the enchantment of this unforgettable musical!

The Barn Theatre is located on M-96 West of Augusta.  Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 8:30 PM , Saturday at 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm , and Sunday at 5:00 pm .  Tickets are $25.00 Tuesday through Thursday, and $27.50 Friday through Sunday.  Visa and MasterCard are accepted.  For tickets call (269) 731-4121.  The box office is open daily from 10:00 am – 10:00 pm.

Enjoy refreshments in The Rehearsal Shed Lounge with friends before, during intermission and after the show.  There is a free cabaret-style show in the Rehearsal Shed Lounge after mainstage performance.

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BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Cast List

Beast............................................................Eric Parker

Beggar Woman/Enchantress..........................Erin Elizabeth Coors

Opening Prince/Beast Double........................Ben Bucher

Narrator.......................................................Roy Brown

Belle.............................................................Danyelle Bossardet

Aristocratic Lady..........................................Lauren Kuehnle

Fisherman.....................................................Adam Laird

Egg Man.......................................................Ryan J Ratliff

Sausage Curl Girl..........................................Lauren Finnan

Baker...........................................................Adam C. Kern

Baker’s Wife................................................Brianne Bassler

Lady w/ Cane...............................................Maura Hurley

Lady w/ Baby...............................................Cecily Smith

Candle Man..................................................Matthew Parker

Hat Seller w/ Mirror......................................Adam Standley

Milkmaid......................................................Kelly Meneer

Shepherd Boy..............................................Rick Desloge

Bookseller....................................................Christopher Lengerich

Villagers............... Will Mann, Jon Mazur, Rachel Simpson, Emily May Smith, Kari Warchock

Villager Girl.................................................Calli Ragotzy

LeFou.........................................................Roy Brown

Gaston........................................................Guy LeMonnier

Maurice......................................................Howard McBride

3 Silly Girls.......................................Rachel Ann Perry, Ellen Schnier, Megan K. Wean

6 Wolves....................................................Ben Bucher, Rick Desloge, Adam Laird, Zander Meisner, Ryan J Ratliff, Adam Standley

Cogsworth..................................................Joe Aiello

Lumiere......................................................Scott Burkell

Babette.......................................................Penelope Alex

Mrs. Potts..................................................Kathryn M. Flynn

Chip...........................................................Luke Ragotzy

Wardrobe..................................................Brooke Evans

Crony #1....................................................Zander Meisner

Crony #2....................................................Jon Mazur

Monsieur D’Arque/Enchanted Chair/Caryatid.......................Eric Petersen

Gaston Quartet.......................... Adam Laird, Zander Meisner, Matthew Parker, Ryan J Ratliff

Be Our Guest

Enchanted Objects

2 Teacups...................................................Lauren Finnan, Lauren Kuehnle

Vase...........................................................Rachel Ann Perry

Salt & Pepper.............................................Emily May Smith, Rick Desloge

Creamer & Sugar Bowl...............................Rachel Simpson, Matthew Parker

6 Maids/6 Plates/6 Napkins.........................Kelley Bray, Erin Elizabeth Coors, Kelly Meneer, Ellen Schnier, Kari Warchock, Megan K. Wean

Waiter/Fork................................................Zander Meisner

Waiter/Knife...............................................Christopher Lengerich

Waiter/Spoon..............................................Maura Hurley

Wisk...........................................................Ben Bucher

Cheese Grater Man.....................................Adam Laird

Cake Server................................................Brianne Bassler

Corkscrew..................................................Adam Standley

Spatula........................................................Cecily Smith

Champagne Bottle...................................... Jon Mazur

Carpet........................................................Ryan J Ratliff

2 Oven Mitts..............................................Adam C. Kern, Will Mann

Enchanted Chair.........................................Eric Petersen

Human Again

Couples

Kelley Bray, Ben Bucher, Erin Elizabeth Coors, Rick Desloge, Adam Laird, Chris  Lengerich, Zander Meisner, Kelly Meneer, , Ellen Schnier, Adam Standley, Kari Warchock, Megan K. Wean

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BEAUTY AND THE BEAST BIOS:

DANYELLE BOSSARDET
Barn audiences will remember Miss Bossardet from her turn as Sarah Brown opposite Tom Wopat and Adrian Zmed’s Sky Masterson in GUYS AND DOLLS earlier this summer, as well as her stunning portrayal as Florence in the Barn’s production of CHESS in 1999. Nominated for a National Broadway Theatre Award for her portrayal of Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Miss Bossardet is delighted to be back at the Barn Theatre. She has performed throughout the United States and Canada in productions, including Destry Rides Again, The Most Happy Fella, Annie Get Your Gun, My Fair Lady, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, 42^nd Street , The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Shy), Oliver! (Charlotte Sowerberry), Oklahoma ! (Dream Laurie), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Liza), GreasE (Sandy), They Shoot Horses, Don’t They (Gloria), A Tale of Two Cities (Lucie Mannette), and Richard III (Lady Anne). 

GUY LEMONNIER
A fresh face to the Barn Theatre but a true Michigander, Guy is a native of Grand Rapids, and a Rockford High School graduate.  In Grand Rapids Guy performed with the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and Community Circle Theatre, work that earned him two coveted Grand Awards from the Grand Rapids Arts Council.  Professionally, Guy performed in the off-Broadway show THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER as Miles Hendon.  He has also toured the country performing such roles as Chauvelin in THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, Caleb in THE SPITFIRE GRILL, the Father in RAGTIME, various roles in DRACULA THE MUSICAL, and Molokov in CHESS IN CONCERT.  He toured nationally playing the title role in JEKYLL & HYDE.  Guy has also toured with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in CHRISTMAS EVE & OTHER STORIES, and can be heard on the Trans-Siberian Orchestra recording Beethoven's last night. Guy-Lemonnier.com

ERIC PARKER
Eric couldn’t be more pleased to return for a 12^th go-‘round in Augusta .  Last year he was featured throughout the summer, with Judas (opposite one of his favorite ‘90s rockers, Gary Cherone) in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR topping his list, followed by his turns in THE FOREIGNER, and ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT as well as his cameo as Bustopher Jones in CATS.  Other favorite Barn credits include major roles in JOSEPH…, six productions of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, CHESS, BIG RIVER, TOMMY, CITY OF ANGELS , SOUTH PACIFIC, KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN, PIPPIN, and Che in EVITA, a role that introduced Eric to Chicago audiences in an award-winning production at Drury Lane Oakbrook.  Eric has continued his career at the Drury Lane , with featured performances in their JOSEPH…, ANYTHING GOES, ANNIE, CAMELOT, and their TYA ALADDIN and CHARLOTTE ’S WEB.  Favorites elsewhere include the title roles in AMADEUS, THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, and Claude in HAIR (European Tour).  TV: GUIDING LIGHT.  Eric lives in Chicago and is a proud Adrian native.

PENELOPE ALEX
In her 18 seasons Penelope has made herself quite at home on the Barn stage.  She has delighted audiences with a series of compelling performances… Aldonza in MAN OF LA MANCHA, Maria in LEND ME A TENOR, and Janet in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW come immediately to mind, as do her own favorites, such as the Beggar woman in SWEENEY TODD, Nellie in SOUTH PACIFIC (with Tom Wopat), Aurora in KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, and at the head of the list, Annie Oakley opposite Tom Wopat’s Frank Butler in ANNIE GET Your GUN.  Offstage and closest to her heart are her roles of Mom to Luke (9), Calli (7), Jacob (4), and Melina (born in December), and wife to Barn producer Brendan Ragotzy.  As busy as the Barn and her family keep her, Penelope still makes time to appear in commercials for such companies as Whirlpool, Felpausch, and CTS Telecom (among many others).  Be sure to listen for Penelope in the Barn’s commercial this summer!  She is a native of San Jose , CA , and like her husband Brendan, is a proud San Jose University Spartan alum.

SCOTT BURKELL
Scott comes back to the Barn for a 22^nd summer season after another eventful year in New York spent workshopping and refining his various projects: six of one (his musical with a score by Barnie Paul Loesel), and his play OUT OF IT.  His Burkell/Loesel songs are being performed by several prominent Broadway names, like Barnie Marin Mazzie, her husband and Main Stem actor Jason Daniely, Susan Egan, and Rebecca Luker, to name but a few.  He was also on Broadway and in the First National Tour of TITANIC.  In Augusta , his career has been unforgettable.  Some favorites include Molina in KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, George (opposite Marin Mazzie) in SHE LOVES ME, Felix in THE ODD COUPLE, Seymour in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Claude in HAIR, and perhaps his all-time gem, Riff-Raff in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW.  Last season Scott played in ROCKY HORROR again, as well as Reuben in ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT, Gus in CATS, Herod in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Mother Superior in NUNSENSE A-MEN, and an acclaimed turn as the Emcee in CABARET. 

JOE AIELLO
Joe is pleased to return to the Barn for his 24^th season.  Year after year he has proven his talent and versatility in such roles as Daddy Warbucks in ANNIE, Lee in TRUE WEST, Tevye in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Gallimard in M. BUTTERFLY, Merrick in THE ELEPHANT MAN, Mozart in AMADEUS, Albin/ZaZa in LA CAGE AUX FOLLIES, Arthur in CAMELOT, and half the town in both GREATER TUNA, and A TUNA CHRISTMAS.  A gifted director as well, Joe has won accolades for his Barn productions of CHESS, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, SHE LOVES ME, CRIMES OF THE HEART, THE MOST HAPPY FELLA, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, SWEENY TODD (co-directed with Scott Burkell), and last season’s CABARET.  He lives in New York City and is currently Director of Sales for Match-Tix Group Sales and Promotions and co-owner of Allied/Hit-Tix Inc. 

HOWARD MC BRIDE
In his 23 summers in Augusta , Howard has given a series of wonderful performances in the range known as “first business.”  Last season Howard reprised his beloved Dr. Scott in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW for the 7^th time and played President Roosevelt in ANNIE, but his favorite performance was as Herr Schultz in CABARET.  Other favorites include Jacob in JOSEPH…, the Governor of Texas in  THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, Colonel Pickering in MY FAIR LADY, the head of Big Harp in THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM, Max in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, and one of his early leading roles, Sancho in MAN OF LA MANCHA.  He has stage managed tours of  A CHORUS LINE, MAN OF LA MANCHA, and JANE POWELL:  INSIDE OUT.  With us, though, Howard lends his unique charms to his role as the Barn’s General Manager.  He also appears annually at the Gull Lake Café Christmas Show.  Unfortunately, his role in that little pageant remains top secret.

BROOKE EVANS
Brooke is pleased to be back in Augusta for her fourth season.  A native of the Philadelphia area now living in New York , Brooke has performed in several staged readings including Brendan Ragotzy and Troy Benton’s  OLD TIMER last fall.  She also made her feature film debut with the remake of THE STEPFORD WIVES (with Nicole Kidman and Bette Midler), which is in theatres this summer.  Prior to her arrival Brooke finished a run of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM with the Storm Theatre company in NYC. Barn patrons will remember Brooke from her many appearances during her apprenticeship, with CAUGHT IN THE NET and PIPPIN heading the list, followed by her prominent appearance as the giant-syringe-totin’ Matron in IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY… her very first Augusta feature. 

KATHRYN M. FLYNN
Kathryn is thrilled to be returning to the Barn for a second season!  Last summer she was featured as Jellylorum in CATS, Lulu in CABARET, as well as JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and ANNIE.  After the Barn, Kathryn toured the country as the Wicked Stepmother in CINDERELLA.  She is a 2003 musical theatre graduate of The Catholic University of America, where she studied under Tom Pederson.  Other favorite roles include MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG (Scotty), THE  PIRATES OF PENZANCE (Edith) and THE GIFT (Mme. Zozol).

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