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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 28, 2006 The Summer Youth Conservatory of Musical Theatre West will present Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST which will play for 3 performances only on August 18 - 20, 2006 at 8pm outdoors at Recreation Park, Long Beach. Tickets are available by calling Musical Theatre West Box Office at 562-856-1999 ex 4 or two hours prior to each performance at the park.

The Summer Youth Conservatory of Musical Theatre West was founded in 1998 to provide opportunities for young performers to develop their skills in a professional environment. During the five week rehearsal period the basics of singing, acting and movement are taught to the cast. The conservatory is an integral part of the Youth Cultural Enrichment Program, which has introduced over 100,000 young people to the magic of live musical theatre. In the past years the conservatory has produced JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, GREASE, FOOTLOOSE, WEST SIDE STORY and LES MISERABLES - SCHOOL EDITION.

Director Debbie Landeman and will be joined by Tod Kubo choreographing and John Massey, Jr. handling the Musical Direction for this summers offering. The energetic young cast of over 60 comes from throughout Southern California and represents over 22 high schools. Playing the role of the Belle will be Ashley Eskew of Irvine with Ian Stuart of Los Alamitos as the Beast. Other cast members include Zan Alda as Gaston, Andrew Berlin (Aliso Viejo) as Cogsworth, Kayla Cavaness (Buena Park) as Mrs. Potts, Cole Fletcher (Huntington Beach) as Chip, Javier Lacayo (Lakewood) as Lafue, Adam Mantell (Los Alamitos) as Lumiere, Carie Millard (Westminster) as Babette, Neil Starkenberg (Long Beach) as Maurice and Sarah Weiss (San Clemente) as Madame De La Grande Bouche. Musical Theatre West is one of the oldest regional musical theatre companies in Southern California and produces four major productions annually at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center. The 54th Anniversary season will open with THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE October 21 - November 5, 2006, THE FULL MONTY February 24 - March 11, 2007, THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS - THE MUSICAL! April 21 - May 6, 2007 and THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE June 30 - July 15, 2007. Tickets for the season are available by calling the Box Office at 562-856-1999 ex 4.

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST are $25.00 for Adult reserved seats, $10.00 for Youth reserved seats (ages 12 - 17), $10.00 per person Adult and Youth general lawn seating. As a special for families and many of our patrons that would like to introduce young people - under 12 - to the joy of live theatre, we are offering FREE tickets to see Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. For every paid adult admission two children under the age of 12 will be admitted free. Any additional children will be charged the youth price of $10.00.

PARKING IS FREE AT BLAIR FIELD.

For tickets call Musical Theatre West at 562-856-1999 ex 4 or at the Box Office at 4350 E 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90804. Tickets will be available at the park two hours before each performance.

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Musical Theatre West is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation.