'Tale as old as time ...' N.C. Theatre opens 'Beauty and the Beast' this week

N.C. Theatre opens Disney's Beauty and the Beast this week. The show runs Tuesday through Sunday at the Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.

Based on the classic story of Belle and the beast, Beauty and the Beast has run for 13 years on Broadway and earned nine Tony nominations, including Best Musical.

Starring in the lead roles are Catherine Charlebois as “Belle” and Ben Michael as “Beast,” according to a press release.

Charlebois recently performed in the hit musical Wicked as “Nessarose” both on Broadway and for the National Tour. Michael was previously seen on the NC Theatre stage as “Rapunzel’s Prince” in the 2015 production of Into the Woods. Other credits include South Pacific, Legally Blonde and Daddy Long Legs.

Beauty and the Beast also features Peter Saide as the nefarious and narcissistic “Gaston.” Saide’s previous credits include the international tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

Ann Van Cleave, who previously played the role on Broadway, will take the stage as “Mrs. Potts.”