It's a tale as old as time Beauty and the Beast.

With dazzling costumes and colorful scenery, students in the Jim Thorpe Area School District will present "Beauty and the Beast" this weekend at the high school, located at One Olympian Way in Jim Thorpe.The curtain rises at 7 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday, May 3-4.Based on the classic French fairytale, Beauty and the Beast is the story of an intelligent young woman named Belle, who is scorned by the townspeople for being a bookworm and rejecting the advances of the arrogant Gaston. She dreams of a life outside of her provincial little town.Belle's father is lost in the woods and becomes the prisoner of a frightening creature, who was once a handsome prince but was turned into a monster by a witch.When Belle attempts to rescue her father, the Beast becomes enamored with her and offers to release her father if she will take his place and stay with him forever. Belle is initially repulsed, but soon finds much to appreciate in the Beast's hidden tender nature.The Beast's servants a clock (Cogsworth), a tea pot (Mrs. Potts), and a candlestick (Lumiere) who were also affected by the witch's spell, see Belle as the source of their salvation. If the Beast and a woman fall in love before his 21st birthday, he will be freed from the curse.Can the hideous Beast make the beautiful Belle fall in love with him? Only time will tell.Cast members for Beauty and the Beast include: Josiah Behrens as the Beast; Samantha Sparacio as Belle; Bridget McFadden as Lumiere; Rebecca Osbourne as Cogsworth; Gina Rodriguez as Mrs. Potts; Alexis Young as Wardrobe; Brooke McElmoyle as Chip and Sara Sweet as BabetteLucas Green portrays Maurice; Zac Dykas is Gaston; Zeb Kleintop is LeFou; Siobhan Kleintop is Madame D'Argue; Abraham Buell is the bookseller; Rudeene Jackson, Monica Miller and Maria Donati are the silly girls; and Josephine Rodgers is the baker.Members of the ensemble include: Sonia Miller, Thirzita Buell, Brittney Gellentien, Samantha Alonso, Lilly Snyder, Maria Bonhomme, Lesley DeStefano, Brenna Covelens, Dana Rodriguez, Lauren Hill, Austin Sheckler, Adam Brown, Lauren Donati, Wendy Lemons, Grace Choi, Gavrielle Mele, Caitllin Philipps, Cayce Pope and Tanya Ritter.The production is directed by Natalie Kmetz. Judy Romanisko is the music director and Julie Romanisko is the choreographer.Costumes and scenery are by Karliene Zack, Danielle Rodriguez, Danielle Becker and Monique Jervier. Sound is by Anita Repecki. Lighting is by Michael Trainer, Jason Conrad and Kelly McElmoyle. Stage crew is Shawn Albert, Alec Lauer, Lynn Haldeman and Jordan McElmoyle. Wilma Hoppes and Keri Lauer are in charge of tickets.