The Florida State College at Jacksonville High School Summer Musical Theatre Experience is celebrating its 18th year providing theatrical opportunities to First Coast-area students in grades 6-12. This summer, from July 19 through 28, more than 70 student performers and technicians will present “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.” The Summer Musical Theatre Experience provides an opportunity for students to work hands-on with some of the most recognized local theatre professionals at the Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts to prepare for this production.
“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” has been produced in 37 countries worldwide. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes the songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Menken and Tim Rice. The 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, who is really 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. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
This “tale as old as time” is filled with spectacular costume and set opportunities or, even more simply staged, “Disney's Beauty and the Beast” provides an opportunity to bring the community together for a family theater event. Appropriate for all audiences and groups.
Performances will be 7 p.m. July 19, 20, 26 and 27, and 2 p.m. July 21 and 28 at Florida State College at Jacksonville, South Campus, Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts, 11901 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville.
Tickets are $30 for reserved seating, $20 for FSCJ students and employees (limit two with each valid ID),
$25 for non-FSCJ students and children age 12 and younger, seniors age 55 and older and military (limited to four discounted tickets. A valid military ID is required.)
Purchase tickets online at fscjartistseries.org. To order tickets by phone, call the Artist Series Box Office at 904-632-5000; hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. They can also be purchased between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the Wilson Center for the Arts Box Office at 904-646-2222.
