Centennial, Colo. – September 14, 2010 – NCM Fathom and Walt Disney Studios invite fans young and old to “be our guest” as Belle, the Beast and their friends return to the big screen for a very special two-day Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along Event on Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. local time and Saturday, Oct. 2 at Noon local time. After nearly two decades, “Beauty and the Beast” will be released on the big screen to treat audiences to the magic, music and spectacle of this treasured story in more than 500 theaters across the country. The special in-theater Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along Event will feature an audience sing-along to songs like “Be Our Guest,” “Beauty and The Beast,” “Belle,” “Gaston” and all the film favorites.
This enchanting event will also feature pop singer Jordin Sparks who will take audiences on a unique adventure with behind-the-scenes looks at the newly restored high definition animated classic and give a sneak peek at her new music video, “Beauty and the Beast.” Guests will also be treated to surprise guest introductions, deleted scenes from the cutting room floor and lost characters, as well as commentary from producer Don Hahn.
Tickets for Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along Event are available at participating box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, please visit the website (theaters and participants may be subject to change).
“This is a very exciting release for the company as one of America’s most cherished animated musicals is diligently restored and re-released to all new heights in high definition,” commented Lori MacPherson, executive vice president/general manager of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. “Most noted for its award-winning scores, we’re excited to celebrate its success in true Disney style with a nationwide musical sing-along event so new and old generations alike can fall in love with this magical story all over again.”
Beauty and the Beast features a cast of top vocal talent. Veteran stage actress and singer Paige O’Hara is the voice of Belle, one of Disney’s most beloved and independent heroines, and Robby Benson (TV’s “American Dreams”) delivers a powerful portrayal of the Beast. Three-time Oscar®-nominated screen star (The Manchurian Candidate in 1963, The Picture of Dorian Grey in 1946, and Gaslight in 1945) and six-time Golden Globe® award winner (four wins as Best Performance by an Actress in a TV-Series – Drama for “Murder, She Wrote” in 1992, 1990, 1987 and two wins as Best Supporting Actress for The Manchurian Candidate in 1963, and The Picture of Dorian Grey in 1946) Angela Lansbury gives a bubbly performance as Mrs. Potts. The late Jerry Orbach (TV’s “Law and Order,” “House of Mouse”) shines as the voice of Lumiere, the passionate candelabra, and David Ogden-Stiers (TV’s “M*A*S*H,” Lilo & Stitch) is Cogsworth, the tightly-wound mantel clock who functions as the head of the household.
Released in 1991, “Beauty and the Beast” captured hearts across the globe with an unforgettable blend of fairy-tale story, enchanting music and a never-before-seen combination of artistic mastery and technical prowess. It was the first animated work to ever be nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Picture; earning six nominations and winning two Oscars® in 1992 for Best Original Song (“Beauty and the Beast”) and Best Original Score. Widely considered one of Disney’s greatest animated features, “Beauty and the Beast” reached $403 million in global box office earnings and won three Golden Globe Awards in addition to its Oscars®.
“For every generation, there is an iconic Disney experience and for millions of fans across America, ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is theirs,” said Dan Diamond, vice president of NCM Fathom. “Children of all ages will delight in being a part of this classic fairy-tale while singing along with Belle, the Beast, Gaston, Mrs. Potts, Chip, Lumiere and Cogsworth once again at their local movie theater.”
Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along Event will appear in 504 select U.S. movie theaters, including AMC Entertainment Inc., Celebration! Cinema, Cinemark Holdings, Inc., Clearview Cinemas, Cobb Theatres, Kerasotes Showplace Theatres, Malco Theatres, Marcus Theatres, National Amusements, Rave Motion Pictures and Regal Entertainment Group movie theaters, as well as Arlington Theatre (Santa Barbara, CA), The Carolina (Asheville, NC), The Majestic 10 (Williston, VT), Penn Cinema (Lititz, PA) and Visulite Cinemas (Staunton, VA).
“Beauty and the Beast” will be released from the Disney vault for a limited time only, arriving on a Blu-ray Diamond Edition Combo Pack (2-Disc Blu-ray + 1-DVD in a single package) on October 5.