Children's Theatre of Elgin to hold first outdoor show -- Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast' -- in Wing Park
Children's Theatre of Elgin and Fox Valley Theatre Company invites the public to "be our guest" at their first live performance after a year and a half - Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." This "tale as old as time" is filled with favorite characters, like Belle, the Beast, Lumiere, Gaston, and all the rest - plus, of course, dancing forks and enchanted furniture.
Performances will take place over two weekends on June 18-20 and June 25-27 with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. The company's first outdoor performance will have a Ravinia-style setup and will take place at the Wing Park Bandshell, 1010 Wing St., Elgin. Due to COVID restrictions and social distancing protocols, there are a limited number of tickets available for each show. Tickets are $14 for general admission, $10 for students and seniors, and available at CTEelgin.com or by calling (847) 214-7550.
This classic love story follows a wandering young woman, Belle, into a secluded castle where she encounters a young, vain prince who has fallen under a spell that has transformed him into a Beast. Belle, Beast and other enchanted objects try to break the spell before it's too late. It's a beautiful story on finding love in the most unexpected places. Bringing students together from surrounding schools and with a cast ranging from age 7 to age 20, this performance is a great opportunity to bring our entire community together for family theater at its best.
"One of the ways the Broadway version differs from the original cartoon is that it features a song called "Human Again" and while listening to the lyrics recently, I realized how much that song echoes where we're currently at in the theater world," said Producer and CTE President Catie Early. "'I can feel, I can tell, someone might break the spell, any day now!' We're taking every possible precaution with social distancing and mask requirements, easing our way back slowly, but are cautiously optimistic that this performance will lead the way into us all being able to get back to what we love so we might begin to feel 'human again.'"
In order to adhere to COVID-19 safety guidelines, CTE has adapted their rehearsal process to incorporate technologies such as Zoom and YouTube. The online platforms have made it possible for cast members to gather in larger groups safely to practice music, rehearse dance numbers at home, and run lines without having to wear masks or even leave their own homes.
"This production's theater in the park experience is something new and exciting for us," said Director Allison Cherry. "Our actors have been so patient over the last year dealing with canceled shows, rehearsal restrictions, and virtual performances, but now we are able to bring live theater back to our patrons and this cast is so ready. Nothing beats a live performance."
The show's creative team is made up primarily of CTE alumni - director Allison Cherry, choreographer Mary Grace Martens, producer Catie Early, and production assistant Rachel Kline. Vocal directors Matthew Bishop and Adam Huckeby have never performed with the company but have both been working with the organization for more than five years.
About CTE/FVTC
Children's Theatre of Elgin/Fox Valley Theatre Company is an Illinois 501(c) (3) not-for-profit corporation in-residence at the Elgin Community College Arts Center. The organization is supported by grants from the EFS Foundation, Palmer Foundation, Grand Victoria Foundation, Arts Midwest, Illinois Humanities, Target, Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin, and the Illinois Arts Council Agency. Disney's Beauty and the Beast is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.