Santa Monica Playhouse is bringing back its perennially popular production of Beauty and the Beast for a run Feb. 17-May 27. Writer/directors Evelyn Rudie and Chris DeCarlo and associate director Cheryl Jennings have assembled a creative team that includes Ashley Hayes (costumes), James Cooper (set design), Cydne Moore (props and special effects) and Linn Yamaha (orchestrations).

The musical follows Beauty on her journey as she explores the world of manners, reading, sensitivity, gentility, and the pros and cons of washing behind your ears. Other characters include some scatter-brained sisters, a spellbinding sorceress and a most endearing Beast.

Featured are Actors' Repertory Theatre members Celeste Akiki, Kate Burleigh, Yolanda Johnston and John Waroff, with special guest artists Anna Dee Henson, Gina Manegia, Angela Marie Perales and Kevin Porter (from "The Bold and the Beautiful") in the dual role of the Beast and Beauty's pompous suitor, Pomposio.

The Argonaut called Beauty and the Beast a "delightful musical with a timeless message about searching for the beauty lurking within a beastly exterior."

Santa Monica Playhouse is located at 1211 Fourth St. Performances are Saturdays and Sundays at 12.30 and 3 PM. For tickets and information call (310) 394-9779 ext 2 or visit www.seatadvisor.com — By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent