BELLE / A Tale of Beauty & the Beast is a contemporary ballet that reexamines the timeless story of Beauty & the Beast in a very non-traditional way. Artistic Director Stephen Mills, Composer Graham Reynolds, and Production Designer Michael B. Raiford have created a provocative and sensual retelling of this famous romance with sets and costumes that project fantastical, Alexander McQueen-type elements against a gritty, minimalistic backdrop. The look and feel of the production, while very contemporary, was heavily influenced by the 1946 film noir, La Belle et la Bête, by French filmmaker Jean Cocteau, and many stylistic elements, including the lighting design, are reflective of that ground-breaking movie. Graham Reynolds’ haunting music blends classical instruments with industrial sounds to create a remarkable score that is both unsettling and soothing—commanding and hopelessly romantic. It is a one-of-a-kind dance work that will surprise, intrigue and deeply engage audiences of all kinds.