DANBURY — Musicals at Richter (MAR), celebrating its 40th season as the longest-running outdoor theater in Connecticut, announces its 2024 season of musicals and children’s theater.

This year’s main stage musicals, which feature live musical accompaniment, include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Grease. Performances take place outdoors under the stars at the newly refurbished Richter Arts Center, 100 Aunt Hack Road, in Danbury, adjacent to the Richter Park Public Golf Course, just off I-84, Exit 2.

The season kicks off with Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (July 5-20), an international sensation that has been produced in 37 countries worldwide. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over thirteen years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.

This “tale as old as time” brings the entire community together for family theater at its best. The tuneful score features such well-known favorites as “Be Our Guest,” “Belle,” “If I Can’t Love Her,” “Gaston,” “Human Again,” and “Beauty and the Beast.”

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI).

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is directed for MAR by Donald E. Birely, with music direction by Ben Doyle and choreography by Matthew Farina.

The season continues with worldwide hit Grease (July 26-August 10). This show takes us to meet Rydell High’s senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding “Burger Palace Boys” and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking “Pink Ladies” in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical. Head “greaser” Danny Zuko and new (good) girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive the high romance of their “Summer Nights” as the rest of the gang sings and dances its way through such songs as “Greased Lightnin’,” “It’s Raining on Prom Night,” “Alone at the Drive-In Movie” recalling the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard, and Elvis Presley that became the soundtrack of a generation.

Grease ran for eight years on Broadway and enjoyed two Broadway revivals, along with innumerable school and community productions. The musical was adapted into a megahit movie in 1978 starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, placing Grease among the world’s most popular musicals. Grease is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc, a Concord Theatricals Company (concordtheatricals.com).

Jessica Smith helms the production for MAR, joined by music director Andrew Gadwah and choreographer Missy Arizzi.

For younger audiences, MAR’s popular Fairy Tale Theater, a play series by and for young people, returns for a 23rd season beginning July 6. Under the direction of veteran performer Rob Mayette as narrator and host Alan-a-Dale, the shows feature hour-long, interactive adaptations of classic tales that include plenty of audience participation, a show-related craft activity, birthday recognitions and more. This year, Fairy Tale Theater returns to the grounds of Richter Arts Center each Saturday morning in July. Grounds open at 10:30 am for the craft activity, with the show at 11 am. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Finally, MAR’s Summer Youth Theater Musical Workshop returns to the Park with Seussical Jr. The workshop sessions run July 22-August 16 and are geared for young people ages 8-16. They culminate in a full-scale performance on the MAR main stage August 14-16.

Performances for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Grease are Friday-Sunday evenings at 8 pm with specially discounted performances on Thursday July 11, July 18, August 1 and August 8.

Grounds at Richter Arts Center open at 7 pm for picnicking, with the show at 8 pm. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors (65+) and students (with ID), and $15 for children aged 10 and under.

For the Thursday performances (July 11 and 18, August 1 and 8), tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students and $10 for children 10 and under.

Audience members are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets for lawn seating. A limited number of chairs is available free of charge at the concession area, and a snack/soft drink concession is on-site.

For further information and to purchase tickets, visit the website at musicalsatrichter.org, leave a message at 203-748-6873 or e-mail info@musicalsatrichter.org.

Musicals at Richter’s 2024 season is underwritten in part by a generous grant from the City of Danbury Cultural Commission. Additional funding support has been provided by CT Humanities CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant, CT Department of Energy and Economic Development, Savings Bank of Danbury, Ridgefield Thrift Shop, and many individual donors.

Founded in 1985, Musicals at Richter is Connecticut’s longest-running outdoor theater. Performances are given on weekends at the Richter House Arts Center (next to the Richter Park Golf Course), 100 Aunt Hack Road, in Danbury. Nestled in the hills of Western Connecticut, the Arts Center stage has served as the scenic backdrop for over 100 musicals produced by Musicals at Richter, as well as a professional springboard for hundreds of up-and-coming performers. Musicals at Richter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For further information, visit the website at musicalsatrichter.org, leave a message at 203-748-6873 or e-mail info@musicalsatrichter.org.