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Gallery 7 Theatre presents Beauty and the Beast

Production starts Friday, March 24 at the Abbotsford Arts Centre
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Ron Jackson is The Beast and Lisa Hahn is Belle in Gallery 7 Theatre’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

Abbotsford’s Gallery 7 Theatre presents its production of Beauty and the Beast, starting Friday, March 24.

Belle, a bookish young woman from a provincial town, stumbles in to an enchanted castle and meets the Beast, a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress.

Imprisoned in his castle, the Beast must learn to love and be loved if he is to be transformed back to his formal self.

But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and all the inhabitants in his household will be doomed forever. The production is complete with all the familiar tunes and characters from the classic animated film.

“Audiences are in for an exciting theatrical experience featuring cool sets, colourful costumes, beautiful singing and entertaining performances,” says Ken Hildebrandt, Gallery 7 Theatre’s artistic director.

Audiences will also have the opportunity to take pictures with their favourite character from the show after every performance.

Directing the show is Cody Friesen, who last directed Around the World in 80 Days for the theatre.

“Beauty and the Beast is a play about transformation, love and community,” he says. “My deepest hope is that the audience, too, is transformed by what they see – that they are encouraged to dream a little harder, believe a little more and to recognize that beauty is found within, both in yourself and others.”

Playing the role of Belle is Lisa Hahn, while Ron Jackson takes on the role of The Beast.

Gaston, the egotistical, wannabe suitor to Belle, is played by D.J. Boschman while his sidekick, Lefou, is  played by Emily Smith.

Other roles are played by Brady Moore (Lumiere), Abigail Kibarita (Babette), Bethany Caldwell (Mrs. Potts), Dawson Vogt (Chip), Nicole Farion (the Wardrobe), Matt Veenbaas (Cogsworth), Peter Shaver (Maurice), and Anastasia MacIntosh, Jessica Spenst and Melissa Harris (the Silly Girls).

Rounding out the cast are Silver Allen, Robyn Bizuk, Marco Darvasi, Quentin Foster, Michael Holman, Rebecca Olson, Emily Senff, Christopher Sherwood, Lauren Trotzuk, Victoria Wilkinson and Keegan Zaporozah.

Musical direction is by Joel Stephanson, the seven-member orchestra is directed by Dave Rosborough and choreography is by Tessa Trach and Cody Friesen.

Set design is by John Bessette and costumes are designed by Michele Moolenbeek, with support from Vicki Bolan.

Lighting design is by Calvin Baker, makeup design is by Victoria Hu and hair design is by Danielle Milette.

The stage manager is Yvonne Spuls and Dianna Lewis is both the props designer and production photographer.

Beauty and the Beast runs March 24, 25, 29-31 and April 1 at 7 p.m. at the Abbotsford Arts Centre, 2329 Crescent Way. Matinees take place March 25 and April 1 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are available at in person at House of James, by phone at 604-852-3701 or online at gallery7theatre.com.