North Branch High School proudly presents Disneyís ìBeauty and the Beastî as its 2006 fall musical. Bring the entire family to enjoy the magic of the classic Disney cartoon ñ with Belle, the Beast, Mrs. Potts, Chip, Lumiere, Cogsworth and the whole animated gang! Enjoy the wonderful songs, Be Our Guest, Belle, Something There, Gaston plus many other entertaining songs added to the Broadway version. The show will be brought to life on the North Branch High School Auditorium stage Nov. 16 ñ 19.

The cast is comprised of 35 of NBHSís most talented students. The lead role of Belle will be split by two talented young women. Senior Jill Boyce will play the role on Thursday, Nov. 16, Saturday, Nov.18, and Sunday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m.

Junior Tommi Hollingsworth will play the role on Wednesday, Nove. 15 at 3:30 (this is a $2 matinee open to the public), Friday, Nov. 17, and Sunday, Nov 19 at 2 p.m. Both girls will bring a special quality to this coveted role ñ so you may want to see it twice.

The Beast will be played by Avery Swanson; Kenny Stratton will strut his stuff as the pompous Gaston; Mrs. Potts will be played by the charming Kelsey Larson; Elise Holmstrom will light up the stage as Lumiere, and Cody Risen is the tightly wound Cogsworth.

Supporting the leads will be Mandy Majorowicz as Lefou, Blake Regnier as Maurice, Carmen Morales as Chip, Somer Davidson as Babette the feather duster, Amanda Lindquist as the opera-singing wardrobe and Eric Williams as Monsieur dí Arque.

The cast is rounded out by the chorus members played by: Dominique Frisco, Maija Johnson, Margarette Foley, Lisa Swenson, Brendalynn Compton, Zach Farrington, Jeff Anderson, Heather Olson, Emily Kelly, Rachel Torgerson, Laurel Dressel, Kacey Fuller, Catie Marek, Laurin Toohey, Haley Mueller, Kortney Holbrook, Sara Cornforth, Ariel Horak, Sami Fluegel, Hope Chenevert, Jesse LaValla, and Scott Tolzmann.

Beauty and the Beast is artistically directed, choreographed and designed by Jill Whitney-Birk, vocal music is directed by Renee King, instrumental music is directed by Barry Zumwalde and sets built by Ralph Norrgard and his classes. Pierre Pleau is technical coordinator and Joni Monk is Birkís administrative and creative assistant.

Beauty and the Beast will run Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 3:30 p.m. (this is a $2 matinee open to the public-tickets at the door), Thursday, Nov. 16, Friday, Nov. 17, and Saturday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Tickets will be available for presale at the North Branch High School office and Nelsonís Market.

Due to the popularity of this show, tickets may or may not be available at the door. To avoid disappointment, please purchase your tickets in advance.

All presale tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

All seats are general admission and theatre doors open 45 min. prior to curtain time.