West Mercer Elementary will present “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” at 7 p.m. Feb. 4-5 in the West Mercer gym.

“Beauty and the Beast Jr.” is comprised of more than 60 fourth and fifth grade West Mercer Elementary students. The students, along with the play’s director longtime E2 specialist and teacher David Baxter and the school’s new music specialist Clara Kurtenbach, have contributed hundreds of hours to put together a spectacular show. Last fall, students started after-school rehearsals. They have also worked weekends on the play’s set and costumes.

The 60 students will act, sing, dance and narrate the 90-minute extravaganza. Many students also volunteered their talents to create the amazing sets and costumes as well as work behind the scenes as stagehands in the West Mercer Gym. Tickets are $5 and can be obtained at the door prior to the night performances.

Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” is the adaptation of the story of transformation and tolerance. The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a small French town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household of charming characters will be doomed for all eternity.

To view the entire rehearsal schedule, visit www.mercerislandschools.org/Page/12373.