'Beauty and the Beast' auditions to be held Sept. 5

The Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theatre invites students in grades 2 through 12 to audition on Sept. 5, for the cast of the classic Disney musical “Beauty and the Beast.”

Based on the smash hit 1991 Disney movie, “Beauty and the Beast” tells the story of Belle, a beautiful and intelligent young woman who feels out of place in her provincial French village. When her father is imprisoned in a mysterious castle, Belle’s attempt to rescue him leads to her capture by the Beast, a grisly and fearsome monster, who was long ago trapped in his gruesome form by an enchantress. The only way for the Beast to become human once again is if he learns to love and be loved in return. There is a time limit, too: once a magical rose loses all of its petals, all hope will be lost and he will stay a Beast forever. The Beast’s enchanted household — populated by beloved characters like Mrs. Potts, Lumiere, Cogsworth, and Chip — watch anxiously as Belle and the Beast grow to understand and befriend one another. Their feelings grow ever deeper as the clock ticks and petals continue to fall off the enchanted rose — will they confess their love for one another before it is too late? The memorable score features “Beauty and The Beast,” “Be Our Guest,” “There’s Something There,” “Gaston” and more.

Auditions will be held at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, Sept. 5, for second through 12th grades.

Second and third grades will audition from 4 to 5 p.m.; grades four through seven will audition from 5 to 6:30 p.m.; and grades 8 through 12 will audition from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Young actors should prepare a 30-second monolog.

Following the monologs, auditionees will get on stage and try several different things, including song and movement. Actors should plan to stay the entire time and be prepared to try new things.

BPCT will be casting around 50 people, but are also looking for extra help backstage and with several technical areas for the productions. Rehearsals will begin on Wednesday, Sept 6.

Performances of “Beauty and the Beast” are Sept. 22, 23, 29 and 30 and Oct. 1.

For more information, email bpct@bigforksummerplayhouse.com or call 406-837-4886.