Beauty and the Beast Cast Announced!
QUINCY, ILLINOIS October 4, 2021— To close out its unparalleled 2021 season, Quincy Community Theatre proudly presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast November 26-28 and December 2-5.
Cruel and vain, a prince is cursed to live as a hideous beast unless he learns to love and be loved in return. Strong-willed and smart, Belle is a lonely outsider in her small village. Although the Beast imprisons her, it may be Belle that captures his heart. Can true love prevail and have the power to transform in this enchanting tale as old as time?
A group of 29 enchanting performers will bring this classic tale to life on the QCT stage, complete with a town full of eclectic villagers, dancing cutlery, and a memorable cast of characters that children of all ages have come to cherish.
The cast includes Jennafer White as Belle, Mark Hespen as Beast, Joshua Jones as Gaston, Bonnie Brod Nytes as Mrs. Potts, Jeremy Kurfman as Lumiere, Devin Boccardi as Cogsworth, Randy Wolfmeyer as Lefou, Chris Scholz as Maurice, Ruth Kummerow as Babette, Eli Higgins as Chip, and Valerie Hernandez as Madame de la Grande Bouche. Completing the cast are ensemble members Eireland Cady, Mason Ellison, Alex Ginos, Julie Ginos, Allison Hutson, Mekia Gay, Melissa Griswold Irvine, Brandon Mahana, Sage Mann, Nic Myers, Drew Quintero, Dominic Regner, Rachel Reinbeck, Grace Ruxlow, Douglas Tenhouse, Vicky Vail, Cheyenne VanMeter, and Gretchen Wolfmeyer
“The spirit of community is alive and well at Quincy Community Theatre,” says Artistic Director Brandon Thomsen. “To finish our 2021 season and celebrate our triumphant return to live theatre, we are producing something truly magical and have assembled the most incredible group of people to do it. The cast is a blend of QCT veterans and those making their QCT or even theatre debut. That’s truly the magic of community theatre: people from different experiences and walks of life arrive as individuals, and through their collaboration on this story of self-reflection, self-growth, and self-sacrifice, come out stronger together.”
Beauty and the Beast is under the direction of Artistic Director Brandon Thomsen, with vocal direction by Monica Scholz, choreography by Alison Shafer, assistant choreography by Shawn Jones, fight choreography by Steve Looten, Jr., scenic design and technical direction by Seth Campbell, lighting design by Ken Phillips, costume design by Ethan Henry, stage management by Donna Hare, and assistant stage management by Jim Molidor.
Individual tickets to Beauty and the Beast are $24-28 and go on sale Monday, November 1 at 10:00 am online at 1qct.org, by phone at (217) 222-3209, or at the Box Office.
For those who can’t wait until November 26 to experience this magical storybook tale, QCT will host Discovery Night on Monday, November 15 at 6:00 pm. This free event invites the audience backstage to take a look at the process of bringing this story to life. See the costumes, set pieces, hear from the director and designers, and watch a portion of the rehearsal. RSVP on QCT’s website to attend this event.
Audiences are invited to continue the conversation and meet the cast with a question and answer session following the performance on Friday, December 3. The Talk Back will also be live streamed on the QCT Facebook page for those who are not able to attend in person.
For more information, visit 1qct.org or call the QCT Box Office, located in the Oakley-Lindsay Center, at 217.222.3209.
Beauty and the Beast is sponsored by Blessing Health System, Kohl Cash and Carry, and WGEM. QCT’s Fall Series is sponsored by Gardner Denver.
About Quincy Community Theatre
Quincy Community Theatre (QCT) is a major theatrical resource for the Tri-State area, offering five major productions, three student productions, various touring performances, and a variety of workshops and classes each year. Showcasing local performers from the entire Tri-State Region since 1923, QCT uses the combined talents and resources of the community to celebrate, promote, and perform the dramatic arts in its first-rate facility. QCT is a member of the Arts Quincy, the Illinois Theatre Association, and the American Association of Community Theatre. CT is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. QCT programming is supported in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. The 2021 Fall Series is sponsored by Gardner Denver. QCT’s 2021 Media Sponsors are the KHQA, STARadio, Town Square Media and WGEM. For information about upcoming shows and classes or to purchase tickets, please visit www.1qct.org or call the Box Office at 217.222.3209.