Actors in SIUE’s Summer Theater from left to right: Roger Speidel as Maurice, Rachel Wagner as Belle and John Kuehn as Gaston. (Valerie Goldston photo / courtesy of SIUE)

The 2018 Summer Theater season at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville opens with a

production of the Broadway musical hit of “Beauty and the Beast.”

SIUE’s Summer Theater production of the musical is directed by Kate Slovinski, scenic design by Roger Speidel, costume design by Nina Reed, lighting design and projections by James Wulfsong, sound design by James Blanton and make-up design by Katherine Pennock.

The stage version includes all of the songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Menken and Tim Rice and book by Linda Woolverton. T

he original Broadway production ran for more than 13 years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end, and he will be transformed into his former self.

However, time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.

“Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ holds a special place in the hearts of many people,” said Slovinski, play director and faculty summer assistant in the Department of Theater and Dance.

“In addition to a relatable and admirable heroine, I found great comfort in the tale of the Beast as well,” continued Slovinski. “As a young lady contemplating a new life ahead of her, I was terrified of the consequences that could come from making a bad decision. The Beast suffers a curse for a terrible choice he made, with seemingly irrevocable consequences. Still, somehow, he finds redemption and a life better than he dared imagine. Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ will be a tale told for all time.”

For more information, email theater-tickets@siue.edu. For directions and parking, visit siue.edumaps.