Centerstage Theatre presents British Pantomime version of ‘Beauty and the Beast’

Centerstage Theatre presents its second show of the 2017-18 season, “Beauty and the Beast.”

The show opens Saturday, Nov. 25, and runs through Thursday, Dec. 21, with shows at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays at the Knutzen Family Theatre, 3200 SW Dash Point Road in Federal Way. There will be special holiday performances at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, and Thursday, Dec. 21.

Tickets cost $35 for adults, $30 for seniors and military personnel, $15 for age 18 to 25 and $12 for those age 17 and younger.

This year marks 10 years of British Pantomime at Centerstage Theatre with the adaptation of the classic fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast,” by Vince Brady.

British Pantomime follows a tradition dating back to 1717, which takes a popular fairy tale and combines it with popular songs from the last several decades, rousing dance, slapstick, in-jokes, audience participation, and laughs for all ages. This year’s tale has all the classic characters, plus some new additions.

Brady wrote “Little Red Riding Hood,” which was presented last year at Centerstage. “Beauty and the Beast” will also be directed by Brady, who is in his fourth year as pantomime director. He also directed the first pantomime at Centerstage 10 years ago.

This year’s cast includes retired artistic director Alan Bryce (The Dame); Dale Becherer (The Professor); Helen Martin (Belle); Cooper Harris-Turner (The Beast); Taylor Davis (Lefou); Olivia Lee (Evil Fairy); and Jenna McRill (Mrs. Potts). Newcomers include Lia Lee, (Babette), Fune Tautala (Cogsworth), Tyler Dobies (Lumiere), Rebecca Maiten (Good Fairy), and Luke Sayler (Gaston). Children in the cast include Cherish Winston-Taylor, Sophia Carlson, Jasmyne Mendoza, Catriona Bryce and Lucy Akai.

For tickets visit CenterstageTheatre.com or call 253-661-1444.