POTSDAM — Community Performance Series has announced the cast for this summer’s production of Disney’s musical, “Beauty and the Beast,” which will be staged July 31 to Aug. 4 in the Sara M. Snell Music Theater at SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music.

The leading lady, Belle, will be portrayed by Erin Higgins of Waddington. The Beast will be played by Justin Randolph and Gaston will be portrayed by Peter Caporal. Both men are of New York City. Two Potsdam natives also will join the cast, with Jeffrey Grigel as Lefou, and Syl Foisy as the cracked teacup, Chip. Maurice, Belle’s father, will be portrayed by Morgan Hastings of Canton.

The dynamic duo Lumiere and Cogsworth are slated to be played by George Scoville-Upham of Malone and David Bish of Massena, respectively. Fellow house servant Babette will be played by Cecilia Snow of Schenectady, the Wardrobe will be played by Melissa Becker of Lindenhurst and the mysterious D’Arque will be played by Jay Kepes of Colton.

Additional cast members include the three Silly Girls, who will be played by Emily Robideau of Massena, Megan L. Bristol of Russell and Lauren McCarthy of North Bangor.

The ensemble will consist of Angela Conzone and Christopher Dwyer of Ogdensburg, Tanner Beaudin of Constable, Jonathan Atchie of Norwood, Collin Jacobs of Hogansburg, Logan Barkley of Madrid, Zackary Kelley of Gouverneur and Juliana Alfano of Massena. Salt and Pepper, two additional roles for children, have been cast with Maggie Anderson of Lowville and Jaelyn Stevens of Gouverneur, respectively.

The CPS production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” will be directed by Chad Larabee, a New York City-based director. Mr. Larabee’s credits include the Off-Broadway revival of Garson Kanin’s “Dreyfus in Rehearsal” and the world premiere of the musical “POPart.” Other New York credits include “Good Good Trouble on Bad Bad Island,” “Do Not Disturb” and “Molineaux.” He also directed the London premiere of “Ain’t We Got Fun” and the world premiere of a new adaptation of “Great Expectations,” which he also wrote. Mr. Larabee is a graduate of the University of Iowa and Florida State University, where he received his master of fine arts degree in directing.

The production’s artistic team features several community professionals, as well as designers from around the U.S. CPS will bring back local music director Sara Simon-Shult, choreographer Meaghan Manor-Janovsky and orchestra conductor Tim Savage, all of whom served in these roles for the 2010 production of “Annie.”

SUNY Potsdam staff member Alexis Foster will be the costume designer.

Annmarie Duggan returns to Potsdam as lighting designer, having previously worked as resident lighting designer for multiple seasons at Music Theater North. Jim Wildman of Canton will be sound designer. Scenic designer Julia Noulin-Merat rounds out the design team. She is the director of design and production for the Boston-based Guerilla Opera and the resident set designer for two New York City theater companies.

Tickets for this production are on sale for Producer’s Club members and will be available for the general public June 20. For more information on joining the Producer’s Club, call CPS at 267-2412.

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