Six local theater groups will be the beneficiaries of national touring company productions of Disney’s "Beauty and the Beast" and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s "Cats" in the Blaisdell Concert Hall this fall.

"Beauty and the Beast" opens Sept. 21 for a two-week run through Oct. 3. "Cats" will open Dec. 28 for a one-week run that will include a New Year’s Eve performance. Broadway in Hawaii is presenting the popular productions.

Speaking from the concert hall stage yesterday afternoon, Steve Boulay, chief operating officer of NewSpace Entertainment, the independent presenter of live theater and concerts behind Broadway in Hawaii, also announced the formation of the Broadway in Hawaii Education Fund, which will give "much-needed financial support to arts programs in local schools, as well as programs offered through nonprofit organizations."

Boulay and NewSpace Entertainment have committed 50 cents per ticket sold to funding the new organization. Funds raised will be divided between the Friends of Kennedy Theatre Endowment Fund for Scholarships at the University of Hawaii-Manoa Theatre and Dance program, the Kaimuki High School Performing Arts Center, the Performing Arts Center of Kapolei, the Castle Performing Arts Learning Center, the Alliance for Drama Education and Honolulu Theatre for Youth.

Boulay said that based on Honolulu’s support of "Disney’s ‘The Lion King’" in 2008, ticket sales for the two shows could generate "$30,000 or more in a year" for the local theater programs, and as much as $9 million or $10 million in overall revenue for the local economy.

Tickets for both shows will go on sale 9 a.m. Saturday at the Blaisdell Concert Hall box office, all Walmart outlets, Sports Gear at Windward Mall, by phone at (800) 745-3000 and online at www.ticketmaster.com.