A tale as old as time takes center stage at Lipscomb’s Collins Alumni Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Thursday night to kick off the opening weekend of the theatre department’s fall musical.

Beauty and the Beast features Belle, a young woman from a provincial town, and the Beast, a handsome young prince trapped in a spell that transformed him.

The story follows the Beast as he learns how to love and be loved. If he can master this, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former, more attractive self.

Lipscomb’s production of this Disney classic focuses on the simple and dramatic elements that push the message of the story forward.

With an underlying theme of overcoming fear and judgment, Beauty and the Beast captures the story of learning to love someone regardless of how he or she may appear.

“There’s a lot of fear surrounding things that we don’t really understand,” Wilson said. “The only way that you can become unafraid of something is to get to know it. And then if you come to not like it, then that’s your choice.

“That’s a big thing with these townspeople and even with Belle when she first meets the Beast. When she gets to understand him she realizes that he’s just a person just like her even though his outside is not like her.”

Lipscomb’s adaption stars senior Bekah Purifoy as Belle and Wilson as the Beast. According to Wilson, the production showcases talent from all departments within the College of Entertainment and the Arts.

“Theatre is one of those art forms where everything is involved,” Wilson said. “It’s visual art, it’s music, it’s acting, it’s poetry with the lines and texts and it’s this art form that brings everything together.

“It’s all of these art forms within the CEA that come together to make this huge visionary production that is helmed by our director Mike (Fernandez.)”

Beauty and the Beast is a show for all audiences. Senior Hunter Martin plays LeFou alongside freshman Nick Fair’s Gaston.

Senior Nelson Tilley and juniors Connor Weaver and Allison Kalfas star as Cogsworth, Lumiere and Mrs. Potts, respectively.

The production stays true to the movie that Disney fans hold near and dear to their hearts. For the next two weekends, the Lipscomb Theatre Department invites all audiences to come share in the magic of seeing this beloved story live.

“It is a classic,” Purifoy said. “You’ll hear all of the same songs, but you’ll also get to experience new songs that aren’t in the movie. It’s the 25th year anniversary this year which is really exciting as well, so people that are our age or even older will get to experience something old found in something new.

“We’re taking a more real approach to the show and it’s become a universal moment to share with children and with adults. It’s real people portraying real issues.”

Beauty and the Beast runs Oct. 27-29 and Nov. 4-5 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 30 and Nov. 6 at 2:30 p.m. All shows will be in Collins Alumni Auditorium. Free student tickets are still available for pick-up in the student center.

Photos by Becca Risley

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