TAMPA – CUTIE & THE FREAK, the fully Jamaican stage version of the classic fairytale “Beauty and the Beast” is set to play Florida late June.
The talented cast will be led by stage veterans Oliver Samuels and Glen “Titus” Campbell with strong support from Camille Davis, Courtney Wilson, Sharee McDonald-Russell, Belinda Reid, Christopher Hutchinson and Megan Lewis.
Presented by Riddims Marketing and Jamaica Awareness, Inc., the Florida tour will begin at the HILLSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE (Dale Mabry), Tampa on June 23 then move to Orlando on June 24 with stops in South Florida at Richmond Heights Middle School on June 29, North Miami Beach June 30 and Coral Springs July 1.
In reworking the classic fairytale, Writer Patrick Brown creates an interesting and intriguing story and forces us to reflect on our own approach to members of our society unfortunately facing physical challenges, described by some as “handicaps”.
Frank (played by Courtney Wilson) has been violently evicted from his home community, accused of terrorizing its citizens with his gross ugliness, and forced into an existence of a homeless, scavenging vagrant. A chance meeting with the lovely university student Cutie (played by Camille Davis), on the banks of the Gordon Town river unleashes a tale that winds its way like the idyllic river, through an exciting terrain of twists and turns. The plot is unveiled amidst delightful musical numbers from award winning musical director Jon Williams and exciting choreography from Barbara McDaniel.
Writer/Director Patrick Brown, assisted by Artistic Director Trevor Nairne seems to have crafted yet another theatrical gem. Audiences have loved the production and critics have nothing but high praise for the show. Florida theater lovers will be in for a treat once the curtains go up on CUTIE & THE FREAK.
Tickets will go on sale early June at selected Caribbean outlets and patrons are urged to get tickets early, especially those looking for good seats, as these will go fast. Traditionally the summer presentation featuring Oliver Samuels and Glen Campbell are sold-out shows.
