HCO Production of Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast finale during dress rehersal

Over the more than 10 years that Winona’s Home and Community Options (HCO) has used a summer musical production as a fundraiser for its work providing residential services to people with developmental disabilities, they’ve developed a reputation for creating a huge theatrical splash. Even with the arrival of the Great River Shakespeare Festival and the Gilmore Creek Summer Theater, HCO has consistently wowed sell-out houses summer after summer. This summer, they’ve even added an additional show for a 7-night run—a long run for a community theater production. While much of the box office success can be attributed to the support HCO has in the Winona area, it is also a result of HCO’s commitment to producing a grand theater experience. In short, they have meet the demands of big musicals by stepping up with a big vision, year after year.

This year’s production of Beauty and the Beast is no different. HCO draws from a talented pool of community actors—some with extensive stage experience. The actors include adults to students from area high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools. Included in this mix are many residents of HCO’s area facilities, many of whom are now seasoned actors and stage hands. These actors are supported by a professional pit orchestra, ambitious chorography, spectacular costuming, a tremendous number of volunteers, and a staging that befits a professional house like St. Mary’s Page Theatre.

Beauty and the Beast

June 18 - 24, St. Mary’s University Page Theatre
Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Asman and Tim Rice, book by Linda Wolverton.
Directed by Bruce Ramsdell, musical direction by Harry Michell, costumes by Janice Turek, Choreography by Jennifer TeBeest, sets by Steve Libera, technical direction by Mitchell Auman.

Tickets available at the Page Theater Box office (507) 547-1715 or online at www.pagetheatre.org.