Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” with Kyra Belle Johnson (left) as Belle and Fergie L. Philippe as the Beast, runs Oct. 1 to 12 at the Fisher Theater, 3011 W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit. For tickets and more information, go to BroadwayInDetroit.com.
Family-friendly shows are on the horizon, with Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” arriving at the Fisher Theater Oct. 1, and Trenton’s Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center bringing “Giants in the Sky” to its stage the last weekend of September.
BROADWAY IN DETROIT BRINGS DISNEY’S ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’ TO THE FISHER THEATER
The North American tour of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” arrives Oct. 1 at the Fisher Theater 3011 W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit, for a 12-day run.
The classic fairytale tells of a selfish prince who is cursed to inhabit the body of a beast until he can learn to love and be loved in return.
Belle, a young woman who sees beyond his monstrous visage to discover his inner kindness, reveals his true nature and ends the curse.
Disney’s 1991 animated musical and 2017 live-action remake have popularized the story with audiences.
The story was first written in 1740 by French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve.
The story has been adapted into other books, films and television shows as well.
The Broadway musical premiered in 1994 and is the 10th longest running show in history. It was nominated for nine Tony Awards, and won Best Costume Design.
Alan Menken’s score won an Academy Award, with songs by Menken and the late Howard Ashman that include the Academy Award-winning title song, as well as the high-energy, captivating “Be Our Guest.”
Other memorable songs include, “Belle,” “Gaston,” “Something There,” and “The Mob Song.”
Show times are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 to 4 and Oct. 7 to 11 and 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5 and 12, with 1 p.m. Oct. 2, 5 and 12 and 2 p.m. Oct. 4 and 11 matinees.
For tickets and more information, go to BroadwayInDetroit.com.
The Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center presents “Giants in the Sky” Sept. 26 to 28 at the Trenton Village Theater, featuring Caroline Starchenko (front row left), Violet Guest and Bailee Stamper as humans from the village; Delia Henderson (back row left) as Finn; Allison Langlet as Yorg; Avery Scrivner as Farley; and Braydon Revoir as Bert. For tickets and more information, go to DYPAC.com.
TRENTON’S DOWNRIVER YOUTH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER BRINGS ‘GIANTS IN THE SKY’ TO THE STAGE
DYPAC brings the magical experience of “Giants in the Sky,” a youth musical that explores the world of the giants who live above the clouds, to the Trenton Village Theater, 2447 W. Jefferson Ave., the last weekend of September.
The 50-minute children’s musical is about giants who live in the sky, polishing the stars and painting sunsets, with a curious young giant who wants to see what life is like on Earth.
The show explores themes of friendship, curiosity and cultural differences.
Directed by Nathan Vasquez, the show features a cast of children ages 5 to 13 who deliver a story based on themes of friendship and appreciation.
He said “Giants in the Sky” has been on his radar for some time.
“Within the past year, this group has put on some very recognizable musicals with familiar characters and music,” Vasquez said. “But as fun as it is to do the recognizable musical titles with the kids, I always like to throw in a show like ‘Giants’ that no one knows about and see what fun ideas we can come up with.”
He said doing a relatively unknown show provides cast members with the opportunity to base their characters on their own ideas instead of emulating another person’s earlier performance.
Vasquez said a signup show allows any child interested to be in the cast.
“We do a smaller audition at the first rehearsal for anyone who wanted a specific part,” he said. “I love this as it brings in a great mix of talent, and we have veterans who have been doing shows for years and we have brand new actors who are doing this for the very first time.”
Vasquez said signup shows also give young actors a chance to grow as performers and personally.
“You have a wide range of young actors of various ages, yet everyone in the cast is very supportive of each other,” he said. “All have the same goal in mind – to put on a show and have fun while doing it.”
Cast members playing Elder Giants are Delia Henderson as Finn, Karsyn Smith as Mel, Fiona Oliverio as Vin, Aurora Zmijewski as Olin, Talia Drumgo as Row, Harlow Hasler as Sye, Annika Kung as Daknar, Milena Starchenko as Alothos, Kristina Honkala as Elothos and Chloe Bloomfield as Grownir.
The Hooligan Giants are played by Jake Collins as Abe, Will Pratt as Jordan, Beckett Dettore as Phlem, Nick Bond as Ike, Max Pratt as Jed, Ellie Knapp as Allie, Anna Whalen as Tuos, Andie Evans as Weas, Jackson Searles as Nolor, James Strong as Gunder, Sloane Cannon as Jisto and Evelyn Lomaz as Zakar.
Playing Student Giants and Humans are Avery Scrivner as Farley, Braydon Revoir as Bert, Caroline Starchenko as Ernst, Violet Guest as Gene, Bailee Stamper as Bev, Eliana Searles as Arowas, Aurora Mitchell as Dagbos, Felicity Mitchell as Codius and Evelyn Lombardo as Ardor.
The Gamer Giants and Humans are played by Allison Langlet as Yorg, Josie Floetke as Quale, Emeline Searles as Cal, Luke Lombardo as Sven, Ashlyn Watson as Pat, Leo Safko as Zeek, Nola Dance as Wixus, Makenna Lombardo as Guzir, Alicia Harris as Vaslog, Sarah Strong as Eslog and Sophia Santure as Gibrar.
Show times are 7 p.m. Sept. 26 and 27 and 2 p.m. Sept. 28 at the theater.
Preferred seating closer to the stage is $14, plus a $2.04 fee, while other seats are $12 for adults with a $1.97 fee, and $10 for students and seniors with a $1.90 fee.
For more information, go to DYPAC.com.