Forty-seven area entertainers make up the cast for the classic musical "Beauty and the Beast," presented by the Rural Alliance for the Arts and Ripley County Community Foundation. And that’s just the ones attendees will see, not the many behind-the-scenes crew and musicians.

Producer Regina Siefert, Batesville, is making sure the show will be as delightful as the popular Disney movie. "The costumes and sets are astounding! We are going all-out for the 20th anniversary of the RAA. We chose a well-loved, well-known show in ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ It is a show for all ages."

Three performances are slated for Friday and Saturday, June 26-27, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 28, at 2 p.m. at the Batesville High School auditorium. A Princess Tea featuring main character Belle is Sunday from noon-1 p.m. for $5. Children are invited to wear their favorite princess and prince attire. Parents can bring cameras along.

Siefert admits, "The dancing kitchenware is a challenge. The items must look real enough but not be too cumbersome to move. My personal favorites are the spinning napkins!"

The famous teapot and wardrobe costumes have been rented, she added. Others are in the process of being made.

The female lead, Beauty, is Alicia Gardner, Milan, and the male lead, the Beast, is Maxim Brumbach, Cincinnati, reports publicity chair Mary Mattingly.

Other cast members (who live in Batesville unless otherwise indicated) are Gaston, John Brunner, Oldenburg; Lefou, Sebastian Moster; Lumiere, Chris Ault; Cogsworth, Mitch Tidman; Mrs. Potts, Deb Mack; Chip, Caleb Moster; Maurice, Tom Carrow, Peppertown; Babette, Brett Enneking, Oldenburg; Wardrobe, Lois Schrott, Osgood; D’Arque, Josh Lieland, St. Leon; and Silly Girls, Meredith Brown, Chelsea Ault and Christine McKnight. Dancers are Kate Brunner and Gabrielle Raab, Oldenburg; Kelsie Nagele, Sunman; and Lizzy and Anna Moeller, Olivia McKnight and Molly Albers.

Singing in the chorus will be Brady Ripperger and Jacob Schnitker, Brookville; Connie and Kate Brunner, Katryna Gellenbeck, Sister Jean Michel Sauntry, Leacarol Bennett, Katryna Gellenbeck, Lindsay Ward and Gabrielle Raab, Oldenburg; Abby Carrow, Peppertown; and Kevin Tanner, John Heil, Rod Jones, Jake Nettnay, John Oesterling, Graham Hawley, Adam Moster, Alexa Fangman, Morgan Wagner, Grace Mack, Olivia McKnight, Molly Albers, Jackie Fritsch, Laura Freese, Gemma Tidman and Deb Obermeyer.

Musical director Eric Linville will be conducting Jenna Schniker, Brookville, piano; Rachel Hand, Milan, flute; April Kuhlman, clarinet; Eric Faulker, trumpet; Marilyn Bourquein, horn; DeAnn Brewer, violin; Brian Faulkner, tuba; Dennis Bourquein, synthesizer; and Ed Krause, percussion.

Other crew members include Tara Tuttle, director; Shannon Kramer, vocal director; Leacarol Bennett, costumes; Dee Wehr, props; Laura Ault, choreographer; Larry Mobley, technical director; and Michael and Mary K. Cambron, sets.

Reserved-seat tickets are $20 and $15 with a $5 discount to RAA members and students. They are available by calling 933-0355 and at the door.