After nine months of preparation, the Mexican production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast (La Bella y la Bestia) opens May 8 at Mexico City's newest theatre: the Teatro Orfeon, which is located in the Historical area of Mexico City.

Originally scheduled to open in March, the opening was postponed to May 3, then postponed again to May 8.

This $10 million production will have an open run in Mexico City before a projected tour of South America.

The title roles are in charge of Lolita Cortes (from the Mexican casts of Annie, Grease, Peter Pan) as Belle and Roberto Blandon (from the Mexican productions of Woman of the Year, Sweet Charity and Man of la Mancha)as the Beast.

Also in the cast are Norma Herrera as Mrs. Potts, Tony Batres as Lumiere, Pia Aun as Babette and Sergio Saldivar as Gaston. This production features a cast of 40 and 25 musicians, and will be performed entirely in Spanish. Tickets for this production are available from Ticketmaster Mexico at (5) 325-9000. Performances: Wed, Thur and Fri at 8:30 PM, Sat at 4 and 8:30 PM and Sun at noon and 5 PM. Prices range from $90.00 Mexican Pesos to $450.00 Mexican Pesos.