VISTA, CA (July 6, 2021) – Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, continues Moonlight Stage Productions’ 40th anniversary summer season with performances scheduled July 21 through August 7 at 8 p.m. at the Moonlight Amphitheatre. Tickets, priced $17 – $59, are on sale online or by phone at (760) 724-2110.
This enchanting musical experience hasn’t been produced by Moonlight Stage Productions since 2005 and Producing Artistic Director Steven Glaudini has engaged Jamie Torcellini to direct and Bill Burns to choreograph. Both have deep professional ties to this Disney classic: Mr. Torcellini appeared in the original Los Angeles production and would continue with the show to Broadway playing LeFou. Mr. Burns also appeared in the original LA production and would take the show to Broadway where he supervised the production going on to direct and choreograph numerous regional productions. Rounding out the artistic team are award-winning Music Director and Conductor Elan McMahan, returning for her 57th production and Assistant Music Director Devon Hunt.
Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” features the Academy Award®-winning score with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman, with additional songs composed by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice. The book is written by Linda Woolverton.
Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” is the classic story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped in a spell placed by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end, and he will be transformed to 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.
Based on the 1991 Academy Award®-winning animated feature film and celebrating 20 years since its Broadway premiere in 1994, Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” has become an international sensation that has been seen by over 35 million people worldwide in 22 countries and has been translated into 9 different languages.
Photo credit: Ken Jacques Photography.
The acting company features Jenna Lea Rosen as Belle, Michael Deni as the Beast, Michael Paternostro as Lumiere, Bets Malone as Mrs. Potts, Jerald Vincent as Cogsworth and Evan White as Gaston.
Rounding out the acting company is Mikayla Agrella (Babette), Jake Bradford (Ensemble), Josh Bradford (Ensemble), Gerilyn Brault (Ensemble), Laura Bueno (Ensemble), Zane Camacho (LeFou), Sandy Cameron (Ensemble), John Cardenas (Ensemble), Sarah Colt (Ensemble), Taylor Evans (Silly Girl/Ensemble), Cole Fletcher (Ensemble), Jack Gemmell (Ensemble), Abraham German (Chip), Augusto Guardado (Ensemble), Carly Haig (Silly Girl/Ensemble), Bryce Hamilton (Madame de la Grande Bouche), Cody Klepolo (Ensemble), Colden Lamb (Ensemble), Jordan Mazzocato (M. D’Arque/Ensemble), Billy McGavin (Ensemble), Ashlyn Miller (Ensemble), Sebastian Montenegro (Ensemble), Greg Nicholas (Ensemble), Bennett Selby (Ensemble) Kumari Small (Ensemble) and Jenna Viana (Ensemble).
The design team for “Beauty and the Beast” includes John Patrick (Scenic), Mela Hoyt Heydon (Costumes), Jean-Yves Tessier (Lighting), Jim Zadai (Sound), Jonathan Infante (Projections), Denice Paxton (Makeup and Prosthetics) and ZFX (Visual Effects). Scenery is provided by Citrus College Music Theatre Workshop and costumes are provided by 3-D Theatricals. Costumes are coordinated by Felicia Broschart and properties are coordinated by Gabrielle Tillinghast. Leading the technical production team is Technical Director Jennifer Edwards with stage management for the production by Stanley D. Cohen.
For more information, visit moonlightstage.com or call (760) 724-2110.
CALENDAR INFORMATION
Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”
July 21 – August 7, 2021
Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for dining and picnicking; curtain at 8:00 p.m. Performances are Wednesday through Sunday nights the first two weeks of the run and Wednesday through Saturday night the third week.
HEALTH & SAFETY
The Moonlight is poised to respond to the ever-evolving health guidelines from the state and has measures in place including a socially distanced seating option, hand sanitizing stations placed throughout the theatre and daily cleaning of common areas. A socially distanced seating area has been established in the theatre’s “great lawn” section for those who have not received Covid-19 vaccinations or for those who are vaccinated but wish to remain distanced from others. Patrons who plan to sit in any of the theatre’s other seating areas are asked to be fully vaccinated or to have received a negative Covid-19 test 48 hours prior to their ticketed performance. The Moonlight is requiring audience members to wear face masks while they are in the theatre except for when they are eating or drinking in their seats. Moonlight has instituted measures for its artists and staff to minimize health risks and is proactively working with the Actors’ Equity Association to ensure a healthy working environment on and backstage.
FOOD AND PICNICKING
For the 2021 summer season, The Moonlight welcomes Bread and Cheese Eatery as the theatre’s new concessionaire. Audiences may reserve a table for $5 a person on the Moonlight Patio to enjoy charcuterie boards and other menu items from Bread and Cheese Eatery for an additional purchase. Audiences are also invited to bring their own picnic suppers and non-alcoholic beverages into the Amphitheatre. Outside alcohol is not permitted. A variety of wine and beers will be available for purchase from Bread and Cheese Eatery.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
JENNA LEA ROSEN (Belle) was born while her parents were on the road performing in the First National Tour of “Beauty and the Beast,” so it is a dream come true for her to carry on the family tradition and don the yellow dress. Jenna voices multiple animated characters on the Emmy Award winning Disney Channel series “Sophia the First,” “Elena of Avalor,” “DuckTales,” “Fancy Nancy,” “Descendants 3,” and many more. Regional theater credits: “Fiddler on the Roof” (Chava) Disney+/Pasadena Playhouse, “Emma the Musical” (Harriet) ETC, Parade (Monteen) 3DT, “Evita” (Mistress) PVPA, and “Dani Girl” (Dani) ASCAP. Concerts: Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda (soloist w/Patti Lupone-Wallis Annenberg, OCPAC), Supercalifragilistic with Richard M. Sherman-Triad NYC, and Songs from a Disney Princess (solo cabaret-El Campanil Theater). Jenna recently had the honor to sing the national anthem for the Kansas City Chiefs, the Denver Broncos, and the LA Galaxy.
MICHAEL DENI’s (Beast) past theatre credits include Lt. Cable in “South Pacific” (REV Theater, SALT Awards Nomination for Best Supporting Actor and Best Ensemble), “Ragtime” (Pasadena Playhouse, Ovation Award winner of Best Musical, Nomination Best Ensemble, Dir. David Lee), and “Mamma Mia!” (Hollywood Bowl, Dir. Kathleen Marshall). Coming out later this year, Michael will be a series regular on an upcoming revamped family show called “T-Rex Ranch” on Amazon Prime and YouTube. Other film and TV credits include “Beaus Of Holly” (ION Television, Dir. Anthony C. Ferrante), “Betrayed” (House of Cards Producers, Inv. Discovery, Critics choice nominated), and “These Birds Don’t Fly” (Amazon Prime). Michael is a graduate of UCLA’s Musical Theater Program.
MICHAEL PATERNOSTRO (Lumiere) has appeared on Broadway most recently in “Help” at The Shed NYC, “Soul Doctor” as Moisheleh/Milt, “A Chorus Line” as Greg, “Saturday Night Fever” as Monty, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” original cast, “Sweet Smell of Success” as Billy Van Cleve, “Fosse” original cast, “Guys And Dolls” as Rusty Charlie, “Beauty and the Beast” (LA) as Lumiere, LeFou. National Tour: “The Producers” as Carmen Ghia, “West Side Story” as Action, Arab. EFX in Las Vegas covering David Cassidy. Numerous regional productions, some highlights: “Annie” as Rooster with both Andrea McArdle and Sally Struthers, “Fiddler on the Roof” as Motel with Lanie Kazan, “Funny Girl” as Edde Ryan with Vicki Lewis, and “Kiss of the Spider Woman” as Valentin. TV: Whoopie! Guest Star, Late Show with Jimmy Fallon Dr. Oz spoof. Film: “Whirlwind” as Louis. Michael also works as a musical director and pianist, highlights: “Kiss Me Kate” at Reprise with Tom Hewitt and the “Forbidden Broadway” West Coast premiere. Michael is also the composer of the new musical “Scary Musical The Musical.”
BETS MALONE (Mrs. Potts) got her start at The Moonlight in the premiere production of “Oliver!.” She originated the role of Suzy Simpson in the hit show “The Marvelous Wonderettes” and can be heard on three Wonderette albums. Regional: “Victor/Victoria,” “Dirty Blonde,” “Next To Normal,” “Fun Home,” “Mamma Mia!,” “Aida,” “Seussical,” “Big Fish,” “Mary Poppins,” “Sweeney Todd,” “1776,” “Ragtime,” “On The Town,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Once Upon A Mattress” and “The Rocky Horror Show.”
JERALD VINCENT (Cogsworth) is no stranger to the Disney catalog and is excited to make his debut with Moonlight Stage Productions as Cogsworth. He recently finished the First National Tour of Disney’s “Aladdin” portraying the role of the Sultan and was an original Broadway company member of “Aida” where he portrayed the Nubian King Amanassaro. Jerald was also a member of the First National Tour of “Beauty and the Beast” where he was the only African American actor to play the Beast. He was an original company member of “Frozen” at the Hyperion Theater as Grand Pappie. His other work includes the First National Tours of “The Producers” and “Funny Girl.” Regional theater credits include “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Showboat,” “Man of La Mancha,” “Guys and Dolls” and “Kiss Me Kate.”
EVAN WHITE’s (Gaston) regional San Diego credits include Sir Lancelot in “Spamalot” (Cygnet), Pedro in “Man of La Mancha,” “South Pacific” (San Diego Musical Theater), “Sunset Blvd, “Titanic The Musical,” “Peter Pan” (Moonlight Amphitheatre), “The Maderati” (The Old Globe/USD), and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (La Jolla Playhouse).
THE 2021 SEASON CONTINUES
“A Chorus Line”
August 18 – September 4, 2021
Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for dining and picnicking; curtain at 8:00 p.m.
“On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan”
September 15 – October 2, 2021
Gates open at 6:00 p.m. for dining and picnicking; curtain at 7:30 p.m.
TICKET INFORMATION
Single tickets are priced $17 – $59 with additional general lawn discounts for seniors, students and the military.
ABOUT THE MOONLIGHT & MOONLIGHT STAGE PRODUCTIONS
Winner of several San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Awards, including “Best Resident Musical” for 2019’s “West Side Story” and 2017’s “In the Heights,” Moonlight Stage Productions has been named “San Diego’s #1 Outdoor Theatre” by readers of ‘San Diego Magazine.’ Moonlight Stage Productions provides high-caliber Broadway musical theatre in the 2000-person capacity Moonlight Amphitheatre, owned and operated by the City of Vista. Audiences attend from throughout San Diego, Southern Riverside, and Orange Counties, making the Moonlight a regional destination for Broadway musical theatre. The Moonlight’s summer season of Broadway musicals is produced in the picturesque Moonlight Amphitheatre and has been a summertime tradition experienced by more than one million people since the theatre’s founding by Kathy Brombacher in 1981. Throughout the decades, the Amphitheatre has seen numerous transformations, but nothing as dramatic as the total reconstruction of the stage house in 2008-2009. A state-of-the-art venue was revealed with a grand reopening in June 2009, including a modern stage and audience facilities. Since then, the Amphitheatre has extended its entertainment offerings with the addition of concerts and other special events held throughout the year through Moonlight Presents and ClubM. Moonlight Stage Productions is the cultural arts program of the City of Vista and is produced in partnership with the Moonlight Cultural Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which supports the programming at The Moonlight year-round in addition to offering youth education programs through Moonlight Youth Theatre.
