‘Beauty and the Beast’ cast announced; performances set for Nov. 26-28, Dec. 2-5

QUINCY — Twenty-nine performers will make up the cast for “Beauty and the Beast” production by the Quincy Community Theatre on Nov. 26-28 and Dec. 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 who captures his heart. Can true love prevail and have the power to transform in this enchanting tale as old as time? 

The cast consists of:

• 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. 

Ensemble members are Eireland Cady, Mason Ellison, Alex Ginos, Julie Ginos, Valerie Hernandez, 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,” Artistic Director Brandon Thomsen said. “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. 

Beauty and the Beast is under the direction of 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 between $24 and $28. They will go on sale at 10 a.m. Nov. 1 online at 1qct.org, by phone at (217) 222-3209 or at the box office. 

Discovery Night is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 15. 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. Reservations are needed to attend this event.

Audiences are invited to continue the conversation and meet the cast with a question and answer session after the performance on Nov. 10. The Q&A also will be live streamed on QCT’s Facebook page for people who can’t attend in person. 

“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.