Heights Youth Theatre presents Disney's "Beauty and the Beast"

Disney's most magical tale, "Beauty and the Beast," sweeps onto the Heights Youth Theatre (HYT) stage for the first time this holiday season.

Based on the Academy Award-winning 1991 animated film, this show is a tale of love, magic and redemption. A selfish, young prince is transformed into a hideous beast as the result of his own arrogance. Belle, a beautiful girl living outside a small French village, becomes a prisoner of the beast in exchange for her father's freedom. Thus begins this story of love's transformative powers.

The show , directed by Sean Szaller, will feature some of the most elaborate costumes and scenic elements that HYT has ever created. HYT's talented young performers will bring the story to life.

"Beauty and the Beast" is a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season with the whole family. The cast includes 75 students in first through twelth grade, many from Cleveland Heights and University Heights. Lead cast members include Caroline Hatch (Belle), Joel Scott Furr (Beast), Gabriel Brown (Gaston), Ethan Nario-Redmond (LeFou), Miles Sternfeld (Lumiere), Jordan Brown (Cogsworth), Sidney Perelman (Mrs. Potts), Ryan Vincent (Chip), Chistina Ciofani (Madame de la Grande Bouche) and Eliza Sindelar as (Babette).

Shows are Fridays, Dec. 2, 9 and 17 at 7 p.m.; Saturdays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17 at 2 p.m.; and Sundays, Dec. 11 and  18 at 2 p.m. All shows take place at Wiley Middle School Auditorium, 2181 Miramar Blvd. in University Heights. Tickets are $10 general admission, cash or checks only. The box office opens 45 minutes before each show. For more details, visit www.heightsyouththeatre.org.