Be Our Guest

One of my very good friends is quite the thespian (she still likes guys). This summer, she is going to be appearing in the role of Mrs. Potts in the stage play Beauty and the Beast.

I am posting that here because I know that a lot of people who read this blog are in the Northern Virginia/DC area, and that's where this play will be put on. Hopefully, if you DO live nearby (or if you plan on being in the area later this month), you will take a night and go and see her perform.

Stacy, my friend, could very easily have appeared on American Idol, but who in their right mind would REALLY want to deal with Simon Cowell? She's got a wonderful singing voice, great stage presence, and brilliant comedic timing. And quite frankly, she's a heck of a lot better looking than Angela Lansbury (my apologies to any Murder, She Wrote fans out there).

It got me to thinking -- if I had to choose a role to play in Beauty and the Beast, I would probably choose Lumiere, the candle dude. There have frequently been times over my teaching career, most notably on TAKS days, that I have just wanted to break out into song:

Do your best, do your best,

on today's subjective test,

Choose the answers that you know,

and just pick C for all the rest

Anyway, for those of you who are interested, here is the info for the show. Take special note of the "Friends of Mrs. Potts" discount and times. After all, if you're a friend of Mister Teacher, then you're a friend of Mrs. Potts.

Go to: http://www.thealliancetheatre.org/ for ticket information and more. The ticket section of the site is very detailed and should answer most questions for you.

Special Discount for Friends of Mrs. Potts - Thursday and Friday shows
The theater people have set up a special discount for "Friends of Mrs. Potts!" This special discount is for ONLY the Thursday and Friday night performances. Normally in order to get the $2 discount, you have to have a minimum of 10 people in your group. This is still true for all shows including Saturday and Sunday; however, if you are a Friend of Mrs. Potts, you get the discount on the Thursday and Friday night shows no matter how many people are in your group. If you want the Friends of Mrs. Potts discount, then call the phone number for tickets (703-834-0200). You won't get this discount with the online ticket system.

Show Dates, Times, and Ticket Prices - Only 2 weekends and 7 performances!

July 25-27
July 25 (Friday) 7:30pm - Children (under 12) $12 and Adults $16. Friends of Mrs. Potts Discount Children $10 and Adults $14!
July 26 (Saturday) 7:30pm - Children $16 and Adults $20
July 27 (Sunday) 2:00pm - Children $16 and Adults $20

July 31-August 3
July 31 (Thursday) 7:30pm - Children (under 12) $12 and Adults $16. Friends of Mrs. Potts Discount Children $10 and Adults $14!
Aug. 1 (Friday) 7:30pm - Children (under 12) $12 and Adults $16. Friends of Mrs. Potts Discount Children $10 and Adults $14!
Aug. 2 (Saturday) 7:30pm - Children $16 and Adults $20
Aug. 3 (Sunday) 2:00pm - Children $16 and Adults $20

More Ticket Stuff
If you think you want to come, but aren't sure, then pick a night, call the phone number, and reserve your tickets as Will Call. That means that you pay at the box office (cash or check only). You need to make sure that you are there to get your tickets 15 minutes before show time or they will sell them to the public. But if you're not sure if you can make it or you want to allow for the possibility of canceling, then do Will Call. That way if you're not there, they'll just sell the tickets with no penalty. If you purchase them ahead of time, then they are non-refundable (which is also ok, as long as you are sure you'll be there).

About our Version of the Show
This is Disney's Beauty and Beast. If you loved the movie, then you'll LOVE our show! It runs at a family-friendly 2 hours with intermission. The Broadway version is longer. There will be fun interactive toys sold in the lobby before the show. Since there are 50 kids and 40 adults in the show and over 100 crew volunteers, it's a grand, spectacular, and creative production with heart.

About the Theater Group
This group involves kids ages 7 through high school primarily and a core group of adults who get the lead roles. This is one of the ONLY groups in the area where entire families can perform and be involved in the show together. The director and crew do their best to find special roles for all of the kids. For example, the rose is a lovely little ballet dancer. In the Gaston scene in the tavern, kids are mounted deer heads on the walls. In the castle, kids are portraits on the walls and palace guards. If you saw CATS last year, then you know what fun to expect with Beauty and the Beast!