Beauty and the Beast (1740) by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve tells the story of a kind girl known as Beauty, the youngest daughter of a once-wealthy merchant. After her father loses his fortune, the family moves to the countryside, where Beauty’s inner world reveals a quieter, gentle yet restless spirit that contrasts with her sisters’ love of excess and display.

Before setting out on a journey to reclaim his fortune, Beauty’s Father hopes to secure a prosperous match for one of his daughters by arranging a marriage with a wealthy suitor. The Suitor chooses Beauty for her appearances, but before she is able to accept, the Father refuses the proposal valuing his daughter’s virtue over riches.

While traveling through the woods to reclaim his fortune, Beauty’s Father becomes lost in a snow storm and seeks shelter in a mysterious castle. There, he unknowingly angers the Beast, the castle’s enchanted master, by picking a rose for Beauty. As punishment, the Beast demands that the merchant send one of his daughters to take his place. Beauty bravely sacrifices herself and goes to live in the castle.

At the castle, Beauty discovers the enchanted characters that also inhabit the castle. She also learns that although the Beast is frightening in appearance, he is gentle, generous, and deeply lonely. He treats her with kindness and gives her great freedom of the castle during the day, asking only that she dine with him and consider becoming his wife. Beauty repeatedly refuses his proposals but grows fond of him as she learns about his sorrowful life.

Each night, Beauty dreams of a handsome prince who begs her to see beyond appearances, while magical beings secretly observe her choices. When Beauty is allowed to return home to visit her family, her jealous sisters delay her return, causing the Beast to fall gravely ill from grief.

Realizing her love for him, Beauty returns back to the castle to confesses her love. There she finds a dying Beast and the permanency of the curse taking effect everyone inhabiting the castle. Her return, the reciprocation of love breaks the enchantment: the Beast is revealed to be the Prince from her dreams cursed by a fairy. The tale ends with the curse lifted, and Beauty and the Prince united in marriage, emphasizing the triumph of courage, selflessness, and true love over appearances.

In Memoriam
A Philadelphia native, David Kloss was a founding member of the Pennsylvania Ballet, joining the company in 1965 and rising to the rank of danseur noble. After retiring from the stage in 1979, he devoted his life to teaching and choreography, sharing his artistry with countless dancers and companies throughout the region.

David’s creative spirit and mentorship became a cornerstone of Dance Del Bello, where his vision helped shape the company’s artistic heart. His full-length ballet, “A Christmas Carol”, remains one of the company’s most cherished traditions and continues to delight audiences year after year.

Remembered for his warmth, grace, and deep love of dance, David Kloss’s legacy lives on in every dancer and performance that carries his inspiration forward.