ASHLAND -- You might say it's a tale as old as time.

It's Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" presented by Backstage Players. The musical will take place at 7 p.m. April 9-11, at the historic Paramount Arts Center.

The family-friendly musical stars Tri-State youths ranging in age from 11 to 20.

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

Step into the enchanted world of Broadway's modern classic, Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." Based on the Academy Award winning animated feature, the stage version of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" includes all of the popular 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 lovely 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 as old as time 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 1991 with the support of the Paramount Arts Center and the Foundation for the Tri-State Community. 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 over 35,000 students have attended public performances and school matinees respectively.