"Disney's Beauty and the Beast" Brings Charm and Fun to the 2017 Mountain Play

This year's Mountain Play—the 104th, to be exact—is Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and we had a chance to see it on its opening day last Sunday. This family-friendly production of the Broadway musical has loads of charm and energetic fun and is a must-see live theater experience this spring!

Adapted from the animated feature of the same name, this classic fairy tale features features memorable songs by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice and of course plenty of Disney fun. Beauty and the Beast is directed by Jay Manley (who also directed West Side Story on Mt. Tam last season), musical direction is by David Möschler leading a live 18-piece orchestra, and choreography is by Nicole Helfer.

Beauty and the Beast features many standout performances: Chelsea Hollifield was charming as the bookish heroine Belle and Daniel Rubio brought studied intensity and emotion to the role of Beast, who of course is really a handsome prince under a spell. We also loved Jeff Wiesen as the blustering bully Gaston and Zachary Isen as a lively Lumière.

The fairy tale set was amazing, transforming the Mountain Play's al fresco venue into, in turns, a European village and the Beast's gothic castle. I'm always amazed at the innovative sets and scenery at the Mountain Play and how they manage to get so much out of their outdoor space.

As always, it's a wonderful live musical theater production for everyone in the family, and a classic Marin County experience. My kids look forward to going to the Mountain Play every year. Great tickets are still available for all remaining Mountain Play performances: May 28 and June 4, 11, and 18. All shows begin at 2 pm, but there's plenty of pre-show entertainment for everyone so make sure you get there early.

If You Go

General seating tickets to the Mountain Play are $40 for adults, $35 for seniors 65+, $30 for youths 14–20, and $25 for children 4–13; children 3 and under are free. Reserved seats are also available. Order tickets online here or by phone at (415) 383-1100. You can also buy your tickets at the door; the box office opens at 9 am. Performances start at 2 pm and end around 4:30 pm, but of course you'll want to get there early for maximum fun.

When you go, make sure you're prepared for any kind of weather. Even if it's foggy in Mill Valley, the Rock Springs and amphitheater area can be above it all and bathed in bright sunlight. Of course it can be windy and foggy, too. There are some areas of shade in the amphitheater, but they're available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hats, sunscreen, and layered clothing are a must at the Mountain Play. Make sure you bring plenty of drinking water, too, although drinking fountains and drink concessions are available at the play. Amphitheater seats are all stone blocks, so stadium cushions, pillows, blankets, and other forms of padding are a good idea, too. You can rent pads at the amphitheater, and reserved seats have pads in place already.

The Mountain Play takes place at the Cushing Memorial Amphitheater in Mount Tamalpais State Park. While you can park up at the amphitheater, which is located near the Rock Springs trailhead and parking area, parking there is very limited, and fills up early in the day.

The traditional way to get to the Mountain Play is to take one of the free shuttle buses up from Tamalpais High School or the Manzanita Park-and-Ride Lot (near the Buckeye restaurant). Buses leave approximately every 15 minutes starting at 10 am, and will take you back down the mountain after the play.

For more information on how to get to there, read our Insider's Guide to the 2017 Mountain Play. You can learn more about the Mountain Play at www.mountainplay.org or (415) 383-1100.