CPS Announces Cast for Disney's 'Beauty & the Beast' Summer Musical

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Community Performance Series has announced the cast for its summer musical, Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast.'

POTSDAM, NY (05/23/2012)(readMedia)-- Community Performance Series is pleased to announce the cast for the 2012 summer production of Disney's musical, "Beauty and the Beast," which will be presented from Tuesday, July 31 to Saturday, Aug. 4 in the Sara M. Snell Music Theater at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music.

The leading lady, Belle, will be portrayed by the North Country's very own Erin Higgins of Waddington. The Beast will be played by Justin Randolph, and Gaston will be portrayed by Peter Caporal, both of New York City. Two Potsdam natives will also join the cast, with Jeffrey Grigel as Lefou, and Syl Foisy as the adorable cracked teacup, Chip. Maurice, Belle's father, will be portrayed by Morgan Hastings of Canton.

The dynamic duo Lumiere and Cogsworth are slated to be played by George Scoville-Upham of Malone and David Bish of Massena, respectively. Fellow house servant Babette will be played by Cecilia Snow of Schenectady, the Wardrobe will be played by Melissa Becker of Lindenhurst and the mysterious D'Arque will be played by Jay Kepes of Colton.

Additional cast members include the three Silly Girls, who will be played by Emily Robideau of Massena, Megan L. Bristol of Russell and Lauren McCarthy of North Bangor. The ensemble will consist of Angela Conzone and Christopher Dwyer of Ogdensburg, Tanner Beaudin of Constable, Jonathan Atchie of Norwood, Collin Jacobs of Hogansburg, Logan Barkley of Madrid, Zackary Kelley of Gouverneur and Juliana Alfano of Massena. Salt and Pepper, two additional roles for children, have been cast with Maggie Anderson of Lowville and Jaelyn Stevens of Gouverneur, respectively.

The CPS production of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" will be directed by Chad Larabee, a New York City-based director. Larabee's credits include the Off-Broadway revival of Garson Kanin's "Dreyfus in Rehearsal" and the world premiere of the musical "POPart." Other New York credits include "Good Good Trouble on Bad Bad Island," "Do Not Disturb" and "Molineaux." He also directed the London premiere of "Ain't We Got Fun" and the world premiere of a new adaptation of "Great Expectations," which he also wrote. Larabee is a proud graduate of the University of Iowa and Florida State University, where he received his Master of Fine Arts degree in directing. Chad is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. For more information, visit www.chadlarabee.com.

The production's artistic team features several community professionals, as well as designers from around the U.S. CPS will bring back local Music Director Sara Simon-Shult, choreographer Meaghan Manor-Janovsky and orchestra conductor Tim Savage, all of whom served in these roles for the 2010 production of "Annie." SUNY Potsdam staff member Alexis Foster will serve as the costume designer.

Annmarie Duggan returns to Potsdam as lighting designer, having previously worked as resident lighting designer for multiple seasons at Music Theater North. Jim Wildman of Canton will serve as sound designer. Scenic designer Julia Noulin-Merat rounds out the design team. She is currently the director of design and production for the Boston-based Guerilla Opera, and the resident set designer for two New York City-based theatre companies.

Tickets for this production are currently on sale for Producer's Club members and will be available for the general public on Wednesday, June 20. For more information on joining the Producer's Club, please call (315) 267-2412.

The CPS production of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" is made possible in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Program, administered in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council, with additional sponsorship from Frazer, Inc., and SUNY Potsdam.

The Community Performance Series is a college-community partnership presenting world-class performing artists and arts education opportunities in Northern New York. CPS has been in residence at SUNY Potsdam since 1989.

To learn more, visit www.cpspotsdam.org.

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of only three arts campuses in the entire SUNY system. SUNY Potsdam's arts curriculum offers the full palette: music, theatre, dance, fine arts and creative writing. No matter the discipline, people from all backgrounds can find their creative compass at Potsdam, with myriad arts immersion experiences available for both campus and community.

-www.potsdam.edu-