ONLINE PROGRAM
DISNEY'S BEAUTY & THE BEAST
music by ALAN MENKEN
lyrics by HOWARD ASHMAN and TIM RICE
book by LINDA WOOLVERTON
Originally Directed by Rob Roth. Originally Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.
Disney's Beauty & the Beast is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
SBT Production photography by Tim Nguyen.
The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production or distributing recordings on any medium, including the Internet, is strictly prohibited, a violation of the author’s rights and actionable under copyright law.
Nov 22, 2024 to Jan 5, 2025
Thursdays to Saturdays 7pm
Saturdays & Sundays 2pm
rated G | 6+
running time:
Two-act musical, approx. 120
min with a 15 min. intermission
SHOW SUMMARY
Step into the enchanted world of Broadway's classic, Disney's Beauty & the Beast, an international sensation that has been produced in 37 countries worldwide. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over thirteen years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, 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 his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
RATING: G | 6+
Read more about show ratings and recommendations >
Video courtesy of The Music Man on Broadway, 2022, starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster, directed by Jerry Zaks.
Production Inclusion Statistics
45.28% FEMALE/NON-BINARY
REPRESENTATION
27.08% MARGINALIZED REPRESENTATION
13.21% BIPOC
REPRESENTATION
26.42% LGBTQIA2S+
REPRESENTATION
46.15% ON STAGE
44.44% OFFSTAGE
42.31% ON STAGE
25.93% OFFSTAGE
23.08% ON STAGE
3.70% OFFSTAGE
23.08% ON STAGE
29.63% OFFSTAGE
ABOUT THE CREATOR
ALAN MENKEN
Alan's stage musicals include God Bless You Mr. Rosewater, Patch Patch Patch, Atina: Evil Queen of the Galaxy, Real Life Funnies, Little Shop of Horrors, The Dream on Royal Street, Kicks, The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, Beauty & the Beast, A Christmas Carol, Weird Romance, King David, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Little Mermaid, Sister Act, Leap of Faith, and Newsies. He has also contributed to such revues as Personals, Diamonds, and On the Record.
His film musicals include Little Shop of Horrors, The Little Mermaid, Beauty & the Beast, Newsies, Aladdin (1992 and the 2019 live-action remake), Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, Home on the Range, Enchanted, and Tangled. His dramatic underscores for films include Life With Mikey, Noel, The Shaggy Dog, and Mirror Mirror. He has contributed songs to such films as Rocky V, Home Alone 2 - Lost in New York, Life With Mikey, and Captain America - The First Avenger.
HOWARD ASHMAN
Best known as a pivotal creative mind behind the renaissance of Disney animation and his work on The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Beauty & The Beast (which is dedicated to, "Our friend, Howard Ashman, who gave a Mermaid her voice and a Beast his soul...") Ashman's first love was theater. Ashman was a founder of off Broadway's renowned WPA Theater, where he conceived, wrote and directed God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, as well as the classic musical, Little Shop of Horrors (both music by Alan Menken). In 1986, he wrote and directed the Broadway musical Smile (music by Marvin Hamlisch). Lamented as a lost treasure of the 1980's theater scene, Smile remains popular on High School and College campuses throughout the country.
TIM RICE
Tim Rice has worked in music, theater, and film since 1965, when he met Andrew Lloyd Webber, a fellow struggling songwriter. Rather than pursue Tim's ambitions to write rock or pop songs, they turned their attention to Andrew's obsession - musical theater. Their first collaboration, The Likes Of Us (lyrics by Tim, music by Andrew), was an unsuccessful show based on the life of Dr. Barnardo, the Victorian philanthropist. Their next three works together were much more successful: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Evita. Tim has also worked with other distinguished popular composers such as Elton John (The Lion King, Aida), Alan Menken (Aladdin, King David, Beauty and the Beast), and Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (Chess). From Here to Eternity, with music by newcomer Stuart Brayson, coproduced with Lee Menzies, directed by Tamara Harvey, and with book by Bill Oakes, premiered in the West End at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2013. He formed his own cricket team in 1973 and was president of the MCC in 2002. In 2013, he wrote and presented a 52-part series for BBC Radio 2, American Pie, a trawl through the music and musicians of every American State.
LINDA WOOLVERTON
Linda Woolverton's writing credits include the screenplay for the animated feature film Beauty & The Beast (Golden Globe winner and Academy Award Best Picture nominee); the screenplay (shared) for Homeward Bound: The InredIble Journey; screenplay (shared) for the animated feature film The Lion King; the book for the Broadway musical Beauty And The Beast (Tony Award nomination for Best Book of a Musical, winner 1998 Olivier Award Best New Musical); and book (shared) for Elton John and Tim Rice's Broadway musical AIDA. Also she has written two young-adult novels, Star-Wind and Running Before The Wind. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts from California State University Long Beach and a Master's degree in Theatre from California State University Fullerton. Linda is currently involved in writing and producing film projects for Miramax and Revolution studios.
SONG LIST
ACT ONE
Belle – Belle & Villagers
Maurice Travels – Maurice
Me – Gaston & Belle
Belle (Reprise) – Belle
Home – Belle
Home (Tag) – Mrs. Potts & Madame
Gaston – Gaston, LeFou & Villagers
Gaston (Reprise) – Gaston & LeFou
How Long Must This Go On? – Beast
Be Our Guest – Lumiere, Chip, Mrs. Potts, Castle Staff
If I Can't Love Her – Beast
ACT TWO
Something There – Belle, Beast, Lumiere, Cogsworth,
Mrs. Potts
Human Again – Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, Chip, Babette, Madame, Castle Staff
Beauty and the Beast – Mrs. Potts
If I Can't Love Her (Reprise) – Beast
A Change in Me – Belle
The Mob Song – Gaston, D’Arque, Villagers
Home (Reprise) – Belle
Tranformation/Finale Ultimo – Belle, Prince, Company
FROM THE DIRECTOR & ARTISTIC PRODUCER
It is with great joy that we bring Beauty and the Beast to life on the StoryBook Theatre stage this holiday season. As a director, I’ve had the immense pleasure of working with an extraordinary team of artists who have poured their hearts into this production. Greg Pember’s choreography is nothing short of breathtaking, bringing grace and energy to every scene. His work adds a layer of elegance that elevates this classic tale to new heights.
Equally impressive is Ethan Taylor’s inspired musical direction. He has turned a group of individual performers into a harmonious ensemble, creating music that will be shared with thousands of families this holiday season. Watching this group of strangers come together to create something so magical is one of the true joys of directing.
We are also fortunate to have the talents of award-winning costume designer Melissa Mitchell, whose breathtaking designs have brought this production to life. Her work on Something Rotten last season earned well-deserved accolades, and her attention to detail in Beauty and the Beast is equally stunning. Melissa’s costumes are supported by a dedicated team that works tirelessly to bring every stitch and fabric to life on stage.
The magic doesn’t stop there. DeNeane Osmond has crafted a gorgeous, effortless set that feels both grand and intimate, perfectly capturing the world of Beauty and the Beast. Her vision has been skillfully realized by Josh Bailey’s craftsmanship, while Dani White’s incredible prop skills have added the final touches that make this production truly come to life. There’s an entire army of talented individuals working behind the scenes, and without each piece in its place, doing exactly what it is meant to do, none of this would be possible.
Of course, none of this would be possible without our remarkable cast of volunteers. Each and every performer on stage has donated their time, energy, and talent to make this show a reality. Individually, they have each committed over 300 hours to this production, and collectively, that’s more than 10,000 volunteer hours dedicated to bringing this story to life. Their commitment to personal growth and community engagement is truly admirable, and we are deeply honoured and indebted to them for their incredible sacrifice in sharing their gifts with our audiences over the holiday season.
As we explore the themes of Beauty and the Beast, it becomes clear how this musical fits perfectly within our season’s focus on belonging. At its core, the story is about love, acceptance, and transformation—reminding us that everyone deserves a place where they belong. This message resonates deeply in today’s world, and it’s a theme that we hope connects with audiences of all ages.
But beyond the themes of the show, we also strive to give back to the community that supports us. In keeping with our mission to ensure theatre is accessible to all, we are proud to donate one full performance—200 seats—of each and every production we present to families in need. That’s at least five shows per season, amounting to over 1,000 free tickets. This tradition is an integral part of who we are at StoryBook Theatre, and it’s always a highlight of each production throughout the season. The joy and excitement on the faces of those families remind us why we do what we do, and how important it is to share the magic of live theatre with as many people as possible.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the continued support of our patrons, donors, and community members. Provincial cutbacks have made it increasingly challenging for arts organizations like StoryBook to thrive, but with your help, we continue to push forward. I encourage you to consider becoming an active donor. A monthly contribution of just $5 or $10 can make a significant difference in ensuring we can continue to provide high-quality productions and offer programs that give back to the community.
Your support allows us to maintain initiatives like our donated performances and helps us bring the magic of theatre to more people, especially those who may not have access to it otherwise. Whether you’re able to donate, spread the word, or simply show up and enjoy a show, every contribution matters and helps us keep the spirit of live theatre alive.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported us throughout this journey. Whether you’re a new member of the StoryBook family or a long-time patron, your commitment allows us to continue sharing stories that entertain, inspire, and foster a sense of belonging for everyone. From all of us here at StoryBook Theatre, we wish you a joyous holiday season filled with warmth, laughter, and, of course, a little bit of magic from Beauty and the Beast.
Sincerely,
JP Thibodeau
Artistic Producer & Director, StoryBook Theatre
THE COMPANY
THE CAST
Belle Erin Navarro
Beast Dave Greason
Maurice Gary Hodgkinson
Gaston Alex Flynn-Belanger
Lefou Jayden Durksen
Lumiere Ben Jaquish
Cogsworth Ryan Sampson
Mrs.Potts Cathy Martin
Chip Aneeqa Rajabali
Chip Joshua Reid
Chip Roxanne Spooner
Babette Jackie Thurber
Madame Ashleigh McAllister
Les Filles Kasandra Hut
Les Filles Reese Nelson
Les Filles Abiola Famakinwa
Ensemble & Baker Spencer Streichert
Ensemble Jamie Wills
Ensemble Sullivan Andrusiak
Ensemble Jay Conrad
Ensemble Kiyomi Elford
Ensemble Richelle Ho
Ensemble Rhonda Mottle
Ensemble Peggy Porisky
Dance Ensemble Andrea Vazquez
Dance Ensemble Chloe Zhu
Dance Ensemble Zoe Pepper
Dance Ensemble Sara Yamamoto
THE CREW
Director JP Thibodeau*
Asst. Director Chris Thompson
Choreographer Greg Pember*
Asst. Choreographer Alisha Brown
Musical Director Ethan Taylor
Asst. Musical Director Boden Broadhead
Stage Manager Cale Thompson
Asst. Stage Manager Eric Olberg
Asst. Stage Manager Alexa Parker
Asst. Stage Manager Carmine Redl
Asst. Stage Manager Gloria Mutua
Asst. Stage Manager Darren Partible
Costume Designer Melissa Mitchell Boychuk
Wardrobe Asst. Darcie Howe
Makeup Designer Melody Kielek
Hair Designer Cat Bentley
Property Master Danelle White
Set Designer DeNeane Osmond
Set Asst. Leo Gabriel
Set Builder Josh Bailey
Set Support Nathan Snyders-Blok
Lighting Designer Kris Mish
Asst. Lighting Designer Quinlan Brown
Lighting Operator Jo Ackerman
Sound Design & Programming Ross Wilson
Sound Operator Paul Davies
Sound Operator Aretha Smith
Sound Operator Rahim Manji
Fight Director Rico Pfieffer
Intimacy Director Anastasia St.Amand*
Artistic Associate Nickolas Bishop
Marketing Director & Graphic Design Jennifer Merio
Marketing Coordinator Mackenzie Devlin
Office Admin & Accounting Eva Stieber
Show Photography Tim Nguyen
*The participation of this Artist is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance•Opera•Theatre Policy
MEET THE TEAM
MEET THE TEAM
SUPPORTERS, DONORS & CONTRIBUTORS
GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS
PRIVATE SECTOR SUPPORTERS
MEDIA SUPPORTERS
DONORS, SUPPORTERS & CONTRIBUTORS
Occasional Notes Productions
Calgary Arts Development
Paul Davies
Teresa O’Regan
Gregory Smith
Clarice Siebens
Lane Olafson
Nickle Family
Patrice Barnes
Mitchell Stephen Bauer
Hesson Persaud
Corinne Spence
Janine Labossiere
Frank Fowler
The Wawanesa Mutual Life Insurance Co.
M.E.G Energy/Kenneth Wilson
Paul Davies
Elayne Fischer
Kathryn & Hal Kerbes
Maria Shaw
Blue Spruce Investments Ltd.
Ann Farebrother
Maureen Morris
Ella Quinn
Kirk Schmidt
Melissa Smith
Maureen Morris
Kelly Novak
Bruce Andrew Spies
Nickle Family
Patrice Barnes
Mitchell Stephen Bauer
Paul Davies
Elayne Fischer
Kathryn & Hal Kerbes
Maureen Morris
Kelly Novak
Bruce Andrew Spies
THANK YOU TO...
THANK YOU TO...
Catherine Handford
Jessica Roney
Tammy Vanderbeek
Cecilia Urrutia
Joanne McLay
Alexandra Burnin
Eeva White
Capstone Engineering Academy
University of Calgary
Lindsay Fenton
Linda Fitzpatrick
Mercedes Vocong
Tyson Vocong
Emily Borrelli
Faith Urmeneta
Theatre Calgary
Graham Kingslery
Alex Currie
Florence Uwadiae
Yara MacDonald
Azee Amoo
Stephanie Morgan
Rohnen Peters
Thomas Geddes
Eric Olberg
Glenda Ball
Heike Walker
And thank you to ALL of our extraordinary volunteers - your time and efforts help make the magic happen!