One of Disney’s most popular musical’s is set to hit the stage in Kamloops starting this week.

It is a tale as old as time; Beauty and the Beast. The show’s opening night is Friday, November 22 at Sagebrush Theatre.

Based on the Academy Award winning animated film, this beloved fairy-tale musical quickly became a Broadway classic—running for over 13 years and earning nine Tony Award nominations.

“It’s certainly our biggest of the season, and the best attended as well,” said Artistic Director with Western Canada Theatre James MacDonald. “We’re selling tickets like hot cakes. So, I’d always advise people, if they want to go to come early, because they’ll get the best selection of seats.”

“I think what appealed to me most is the idea that there’s so many different generations this story appeals to. Like I was a young guy when the movie came out in the early 90’s, and ever since then, it’s kind of appealed to generation after generation after generation.”

“It’s a great way for people to come with their kids,” said MacDonald. “It’s great for grandkids or great grandkids, and it’s such a beautiful story. I also think it’s a great date night.”

MacDonald calls the production a beautiful romance that is very funny and has incredible music. “It’s Disney music. The music from that film was just so astonishingly beautiful. So many iconic songs from Be our Guest, to Beauty and the Beast. There’s so many. These are all fantastic songs that have really stood the test of time, and this has been Disney’s most popular show. And of course, to see it live and in person, as opposed to animated or even the live action film, just means something else.”

MacDonald says it is a fairly large cast that is on hand for the play. “We have almost 25 in this cast, and 11 of them are young people from our community. We have a youth course, as we usually do with these shows… it’s really a joy to watch.”

“This is one of those shows that you can watch two people on stage having a little romantic love scene. Or you can watch 25 dancing knives, plates and spoons across the stage. And the design is astounding. The costumes are beautiful. Like it’s a full on production of the kind you’d see anywhere in Vancouver or Toronto or New York or anywhere.”

MacDonald says tickets are going fast with some shows already sold out. You can find more info about the show and how to get tickets here.