Maddie Levy portrays the Beauty and the Beast character during “Story Time with Belle” last week.
More than 1,000 students in Long Beach Parks, Recreation & Marine (LBPR&M) summer programs attended the special matinee performance of Beauty and the Beast on July 18. Sponsored by LA County Supervisor Don Knabe and his Arts Education Partnership Program, MTW, and LBPR&M, the invitation-only performance allowed many children to experience their first live professional musical theatre. As a bonus, cast members greeted children in the lobby following the production, posing for pictures and signing autographs.
Also attending the event were Long Beach representatives, including: Ron Antonette, president of the Parks and Recreation Commission; Gladys Kaiser, manager, Community Relations Services of LBPR&M; Heather Blackmun, administrative assistant in Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal’s Office; Brenda Caloca, office manager for 4th District Councilmember Patrick O’Donnell; and MTW board members Sarah Sangmeister and Marnos Lelesi.
“Story Time with Belle” delivered the princess who loves to read to four local libraries, two Barnes & Noble locations, and Kick It Up Dance Studio. Belle, portrayed by Maddie Levy, shared her love of books, posed for pictures and signed autographs for more than 150 children.
MTW will continue its efforts to bring arts into the community this summer with “From the Page to the Stage” performances at: Alamitos Library on Friday, July 25; Burnett Library on Thursday, July 31; and Bayshore Library on Friday, Aug. 1.
Source: MTW
