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KIDS ON STAGE NOW ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS FOR BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR.

St. Joseph, MI (August 9, 2010) – Kids On Stage is now accepting registrations for their fall production of “Beauty and The Beast Jr”. Rehearsals will begin Saturday August 28, 2010 and will culminate with performances November 5, 6 & 7 at Lakeshore High School Auditorium. The show will be performed by a cast consisting of Junior Troupers, grade 1-3 and Super Troupers, grade 4-12. Every child who registers is guaranteed participation in the production, regardless of talent or ability.

Participants may register by visiting online at www.dougskidsonstage.com and printing out the registration form. Forms may also be obtained by calling 269 313-2795. Registration fees are $235 for Super Troupers and $215 for Junior Troupers. There is an early bird discount of $25 for registrations received and/or postmarked by August 26, 2010.

Rehearsals are on Saturdays beginning August 28 from 9:30am – 4:00pm. Rehearsal times will be modified as rehearsals progress. Additional rehearsals for those with principal parts will also be held on Thursday and Friday afternoons. Optional rehearsals will also be held on some Thursday & Fridays for the entire cast to rehearse music. Rehearsals are at The Chapel (Multi Purpose Room), 4250 Washington Ave., St. Joseph, just south of Glenlord Rd. For complete rehearsal and performance information visit the Kids On Stage web site: www.dougskidsonstage.com.

Step into the enchanted world of Broadway's modern classic! Based on the Academy-Award winning animated feature, this Broadway Junior stage version of Disney's Beauty and The Beast includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. By performing in Beauty and The Beast Jr. you will be transported to the heart of provincial life in a lovely French town. When Maurice becomes lost in the woods on the way to the fair, he seeks shelter in an old castle, but the master of the castle is a horrible beast that takes him captive. Maurice's daughter, Belle, must then give up her freedom to save his life. Belle's taming of the unfortunate Beast and his ultimate transformation back into a handsome prince enthralled Broadway audiences for over 13 years. This "tale as old as time" will be filled with spectacular costume and sets with plenty of roles for females and males alike.

Partial scholarships are available to any participant on a “first come/first served” basis. The application process is initiated by calling Doug Fordyce at 269 313-2795. Parents of scholarship recipients are asked to help out with the production process by volunteering in some capacity. No child will ever be turned away simply because of a financial need.

Kids On Stage is a National Youth Theatre award winning theatre company dedicated to the development of life skills in children through the performing arts. Since 1996, as founder and former director of Children’s Music Workshop, Doug Fordyce, along with his wife Jeri, has developed a solid reputation for impacting the lives of children with personal growth through music and theatre. Kids On Stage is a values driven opportunity for school age kids to grow in self-confidence and communication skills through the preparation and performance of high quality musical productions. Through this process children learn fundamentals of practical theatre, vocal projection, stage presence, basic choreography and make-up. Emphasis is placed on teamwork, self-accountability, commitment and self-fulfillment through hard work and accomplishment.