A cast of more than 50 aspiring actors are set to present “Beauty and the Beast,” the charming Disney musical that is the summer production for the Calaveras County Children's Repertory Theatre. Two performances of the show are set for 2 and 7 p.m., Saturday, July 26, at the Bret Harte Theater, 323 Main St., Angels Camp.

Belle and her wacky father are thrown into turmoil as the young lady meets the Beast, a cursed young man who longs for love and must receive a kiss to remove the curse. Ashley Chase plays Belle and Anthony Dooley plays both the Beast and his human counterpart.

“The makeup takes about 45 minutes to put on,” Dooley said, though he knows toward the end of the show, it has to come off in a hurry.

Jordan Strauch is Belle's father and Mike Anisko is the disreputable, Gaston.

Brighton Hamari plays the Enchantress, and Justin Sharp is Gaston's wary sidekick, Le Fou.

Inside the Beast's castle are the enchanted household items that come to life as part of the magic. Ryan Arce Jaeger is Lumiere; Danielle Benedetti is Mrs. Potts; Colton Minehart is her son Chip; Dylan Arce Jaeger is Cogsworth; Sarah Kraemer plays Madame de la Grande Bouche (the wardrobe); and Marita Elliot is Babette, the feather duster.

“I truly could not be more proud of these kids,” said Ann Mazzaferro, who is directing the large cast. “They've shown a level of dedication that I have never seen in the four years I've directed this program.

“Usually, you put a show together and there is a natural rate of attrition-people have other summer plans, things don't work out and kids can't do the show after all. This summer, though, even with gas as insanely expensive as it is, we have retained most of our participants.”

She credits the children's families for providing incredible support to the production, too.

“The dedication of these kids, and of their parents, is inspiring to me,” she added. “I have kids who have done every summer show I've directed, and to watch them grow and mature as performers and as people is something I will treasure for the rest of my life.”

The rest of the cast includes: Isaiah Carey, Kailer McFall, Kaiya Hall, Brenna Landis, Brayden Walker, Logan Walker, Stefanie Daumberger, Sierra Dickey, Ramon Marquez, Kirsten Saunders, John Lambert, Grayson Hamari, Javon Gilbert, Franziska Daumberger, Summer Hamari, Katherine Sharp, Claudia Loomis, Eden Strauch, Emily Trent, Katie Duquette, Molly Johnston, Kristina Gianelli, Nick Briggs, Annalise Hamari, Madeline Marshall, Rebecca Elliot, Alyssa Walker, Laura Kraemer, Marissa Menzes, Elyse Bailey, Katie Gianelli, Kiefer Minehart, Peter Bailey, Jose Loomis, Adan Loomis, Brittany Nunez, Joanna Howell, Amanda Craig, Monica Shuck, Elizabeth Howell, Vincent Marquez, Madison Ratto, Cally Gustafson, Raychel Nash, Katie Landis, Brianna Gilbert and Lindsey Michels.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 and seniors over 65. They may be reserved by calling 736-4616. If available, they will also be sold at the door.

The company's productions are presented for the children free of any participatory fees; all productions raise money for the next show in the lineup.