Originally scheduled to run through Apr. 26, the Mexican production of Disney's La Bella y la Bestia (Beauty and the Beast) has extended its run at Mexico City's Teatro Orfeon due to the overwhelming ticket demand. The new closing date has not been set yet, but according to Loudes Gomez, press representative for the show; the final performance of Beauty will definitely happen late May.
Produced by Walt Disney Theatrical Productions, OCESA Presenta and Rock & Pop International, La Bella y la Bestia premiered in Mexico City May 8, 1997 starring Lolita Cortes (Grease!, Once On This Island) as Belle and Roberto Blandon (42nd Street, The Woman of the Year) as the Beast. This production, which received the Mexican Theatre Journalists Association Award for Best Foreign Musical; now heads for a South American tour which will begin with an open-ended run in Buenos Aires.
This is the first production of the Alan Menken/ Howard Ashman/Tim Rice hit to be performed in Spanish. Unfortunately there are no plans for a Spanish recording yet.
OCESA Presenta, a Mexican company dedicated to the production of live entertainment, now plans to produce the Mexican premiere of Les Miserables; which will probably open at the Teatro Orfeon in 1999.
Disney's La Bella y la Bestia runs at the Teatro Orfeon Wed., Thurs. and Fri. at 8:30 PM, Sat. at 4 PM & 8:30 PM and Sun. at 1PM & 5:30 PM. For tickets ($450-$90 Mexican Pesos) call Ticketmaster Mexico at (52-5) 325-9000.
