ASHLAND, Ky. — The Backstage Players will present “Beauty and the Beast” at 7 p.m. April 9-11 at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland.

Based on the Academy Award winning animated feature, the stage version of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” includes all of the songs from the film, written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman plus new songs written especially for the Broadway version by Menken and Tim Rice.

Audiences will be transported to a French provincial town where the beautiful Belle lives with her father – a dotty inventor.

When her father doesn’t return from a trip to the local fair, Belle rushes off to find him. To her dismay, she discovers he is being held captive in an old castle by a horrible beast.

She trades her freedom for his and the tale begins. How Belle tames the unfortunate Beast and his ultimate transformation into a handsome prince continues to enthrall audiences.

Backstage Players Inc was founded in September 1991 with the support of the Paramount Arts Center and the Foundation for the Tri State Community.

The show will be performed by youth from the Tri-State with ages ranging from 11 to 20.

Tickets can be purchased at the Paramount in advance and at the door. Tickets are $10 for students and seniors and $12 for adults.

During its 18-year existence, the Backstage Players’ troupe has presented more than 37 productions. More than 1,200 students representing 30 schools from three states have been involved in more than 110 performances.

More than 40,000 area residents and more than 35,000 students have attended public performances and school matinees, respectively.