BEAUTY & THE BEAST
The Full-Length Ballet by David Kloss
30th Anniversary Performance
JUNE 6th & 7th, 2026
Based on the original Fairy Tale by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve
CHOREOGRAPHY: David Kloss
ADDITIONAL CHOREOGRAPHY:
with Act III Lamentations by Delphine Del Bello Spencer.
Original Design:
Musical Arrangement & Scenario: David Kloss
Set Design: Harold T. MacCracken, Jr., Jeremy Webb, David Kloss
Costume Design: Patricia Hibbert
Lighting Design: Bill Mellon
Sound Design: Emmet Robinson, King Street Recording
Approx. Run Time:
3 Acts with 2 (10-15 minute intermissions)
“A forgotten castle waits for the heart to see what the eyes cannot.”
This season, we invite you into a timeless fairytale of otherworldly grandeur in David Kloss’s Beauty and the Beast with Act III “Lamentations” scene by Delphine Del Bello Spencer.
Originally created in 1996 on Dance Del Bello, 2026 marks the 30th Anniversary of this breathtaking work. We hope that this is a celebratory spring that challenges our dancers and one that honors the artistry of our alumni.
This dramatic, powerful and elevated full-length production of Beauty and the Beast draws from the original 18th-century tale, bringing to the stage a story both evocative in emotion and intricate in its choreography. Mr. Kloss’s storytelling within this neoclassical work unfolds through energetic serenades, bright themes and playful variations, colorful rhapsodic orchestrations, & sweeping adagios.
“The Beast’s enchanted world pulses with magic and melancholy, inviting dancers and audiences into a realm where appearances deceive and compassion rewrites fate.”
From the father’s fateful search for a single perfect rose to Beauty’s courageous journey into an enchanted castle, every scene is picturesque and sweeping with movement. With striking choreography, and storytelling that pierces the heart, Beauty and the Beast promises a ballet experience that transforms.
“A fairy tale perfect for all ages!”
“ With a charming beginning, we meet Beauty lonely in her own world with her Father, Sisters and a smashingly wealthy Suitor. But then the ballet gives way to something more extraordinary. Our tale journeys forward into a magical snowy forest where enchanted birds take flight amongst a spellbound Rose, her petals shimmering with hidden magic. Beyond the forest lies a mysterious, long-forgotten castle, steeped in secrets and waiting for Beauty’s courage to awaken it. As enchantments swirl and transformations unfold, You, our audience will be invited into a world where wonder blossoms, dreams beg you to see beyond appearances and love breaks even the deepest curse.”
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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.
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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.
ARCHIVAL GALLERY
BEHIND
THE SCENES
CASTING
2026
30th Anniversary
The Beast: Shane Ohmer
Beauty: Sarah Brower
The Rose: Amanda Hill-Silvertooth
The Father: Ruslan Sprague
Beauty’s Sisters: Chloe Galler & Kristen Smith
The Suitor: Jacob Bononcini
The Prince: James Wray
Dream Beauty: Amber Aufiero
2005 & 2006
10th Anniversary
The Beast: Thomas Gant Jr.
Beauty: Fang Ju Chou Gant
The Rose: Kali Cler
The Father: Kip Martin
Beauty’s Sisters: Michelle Sorkin Socki & Diana Jewell
The Suitor: John Sullivan
The Prince: Thomas Gant Jr.
Dream Beauty: Kathleen Betz
1998
The Beast: Brian Strachan
Beauty: Rebecca Radway
The Rose: Amy Hahn & Kristin Wyshywaniuk
The Father: John Blanchard
Beauty’s Sisters: Nicole Gonella & Marti Wolfson
The Suitor: Michael Price
The Prince: Jose Serrano
Dream Beauty: Nora Drummond & Tarah Grant Mallone
1996
The Beast: Dale Schmidt
Beauty: Brooke Roe
The Rose: Jennifer Hahn
The Father: John Daniel
Beauty’s Sisters:
The Suitor: Michael Price
The Prince: Michael Zweig
Dream Beauty: Heather McKnight
