Transylvanian Gothic

Beauty (Peggy Petteway) guides The Beast (Kendell Dempster) through a balletic rendition of the classic fable. (photo by Ron Lessard / LDT)On February 20th, New Brunswick's Lustigdancetheatre (LDT) dazzled audiences with their production, in collaboration with Middlesex County College, of Graham Lustig’s Beauty and the Beast - a Gothic Romance. Set in the mysterious Pine Barrens in early 19th century, a Narrator in the persona of Madam Leprince de Beaumont, the fable's original author, guides the audience through this romantic ballet of love lost and love regained.

The leading roles were magnificently danced and portrayed by the beautiful and graceful Peggy Petteway and by the beastly yet charming Kendell Dempster. They were accompanied on the stage by LDT professional company members and students from the LDT Dance and Wellness studio.

As if the unique grandiose bone-playing finale wasn’t enough, the night ended with a costume contest; many children donning their best “Beauty” costumes on stage while one brave little girl showed off her finest “Beast” impression with an extraordinary roar.

This performance was funded in part by Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission with assistance thru a grant provided by New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Dept. of State.

All are welcome to LDT's Dance and Wellness Studio’s Spring Open House on Saturday, April 2nd or Sunday, April 3rd from 2:30 to 4:30pm. For more information, please visit www.lustigdancetheatre.org or call our office at (732) 246-7300.