The City of Detroit’s Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship (ACE) invites you to “be their guest” on Wednesday, Oct. 1, when it presents “Kids Night on Broadway” for a performance of Disney’s classic “Beauty and the Beast” at the Fisher Theatre.
Based on the 1991 Academy Award-winning animated feature film, “Beauty and the Beast” premiered on Broadway in 1994 and still ranks as the 10th longest-running show in the industry’s history. Nominated for nine Tony Awards, winning for Best Costume Design, Beauty remains one of the highest-grossing Broadway shows of all time. The title’s visibility and success have expanded globally with productions of the stage show and the smash Oscar-nominated 2017 live-action film, which grossed over $1B worldwide.
Kyra Belle Johnson and Fergie L. Philippe in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.”
Fergie L. Philippe, one of very few Black men playing leads in a Broadway show or touring company, will play the Beast and the Prince in this production. “Beauty” was the first national tour he ever saw as a young person, which inspired him onto his current path.
“The things I mostly observe in doing this show as a Black Man are seeing young Black boys see possibility when they see me,” said Philippe. “They get excited about theater or about the arts. Or even better, they get excited about the lack of limits of what they can be. It’s beyond fulfilling and deeply moving. I love this story and this role. Disney has a very specific place in my heart as an artist, and getting to contribute to this legacy while fully showing up authentically Black is a gift I don’t take for granted.”
ACE’s June “Family Night at the Fisher” for a performance of the legendary musical “The Wiz” resulted in the highest ticket sales to Detroit residents for a Broadway show at the Fisher in more than two decades.
“What a fantastic night that was,” said City Director of Arts and Culture Rochelle Riley. “I want all children to grow up loving theatre, attending theatre shows and having a ball with their family.”
Detroit ACE will once again host a table and invite children to contribute their coloring talents to a community mural to be displayed at Dream Makers, the city-sponsored children’s art gallery at the Butzel Family Center. There will also be offerings from Arts & Scraps and sweet treats from Good Cakes and Bakes.
The Fisher partnership is a part of ACE’s efforts to encourage Detroiters to embrace Detroit’s iconic venues and enjoy offerings not only at the Fisher, but also at the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Opera House and Orchestra Hall.
“We have some of the best venues in America in the Fisher Theatre, the DIA, the Detroit Opera and Orchestra Hall, as well as our legacy theatres like the Detroit Repertory Theatre and the Detroit Public Theatre,” Riley said. “I hope everyone will spend more family time at all of these treasures.”
Parents can get half off “Kids Night on Broadway” tickets for the Oct. 1 “Beauty and the Beast” performance at broadwayindetroit.com/kidsnight by using the code KIDS.
“Beauty and the Beast” runs Oct. 1-12 at the Fisher Theatre, 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit. Tickets start at $40 (includes parking & facility fee) and can be purchased online at BroadwayInDetroit.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Kids can see ‘Beauty and the Beast’ 50% off at Fisher Theatre Wednesday
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