Grand version of ‘Beast’ hath a cast that charms

“Beauty and the Beast,” the locally produced musical running through Nov. 6 at The Grand Auditorium in Ellsworth, has such a high once-upon-a-time factor that, even if you grow weary of the score and the cartoonish characters, you have to stay until the end because of the magic that director Ken Stack works into the finale. But you should also stay for the gowns and wigs. None of them is as ornate as in the Broadway production, which has had more than 4,100 performances in New York and more than 17,600 worldwide since opening in 1994. But the kids will surely get last-minute ideas for Halloween costumes. Don’t be surprised if you see a bevy of Belles, Beasts, teacups, chandeliers and clocks knocking on your doors this Oct. 31.

And well these youngsters should be inspired. The show is one of the biggest and most technically challenging ever mounted by The Grand. It probably also used the most purple paint ever for a set. And even with a cast of only 24 and an orchestra of eight, led snappily by Robert Bahr, the production achieves a level of spectacle to enchant children and their big-kid chaperones alike.

For others, a small warning may be appropriate here. Depending on your attraction to the persistent dinging of a percussive triangle, the tender strains of the flute, endless tremolo-ing piano notes and a script of girl-meets-beast schmaltz – at the very heart of Alan Menken’s music and Tim Rice’s lyrics – then these will be either 150 minutes of pure joy or an evening of about 10 songs too many. That said, the three showstoppers – “Be Our Guest,” “Gaston” and the title song – are done with such verve by this ensemble cast that they will easily cheer even those parents who, worn down by overexposure, have banned both the DVD and CD of “Beauty” in their own homes.

After all, the classic tale of bookish Belle and her reformation of the Beast has pervaded many of our family lives especially after the Disney movie appeared in 1991. (Bet you can instantly put music to this lyric: “Tale as old as time …”) (Bet you can’t get it out of your head now either.) The hit movie was the first animated feature film to be nominated for an Academy Award and, oddly, lost to “Silence of the Lambs.” Only three years later, the musical, which is the longest currently running American musical on Broadway, racked up nine Tony nominations but won only one (for costuming).

So it was inevitable that “Beauty” would show up at the Grand, where the huge musical is still respected for its beloved contribution to community life. It’s also one of the few local producers still making the effort to offer musicals and still willing to take the box-office risk. But the payoff, to the theater and community alike, is almost always stellar.

And there’s no shortage of local talent in this production, too. The milk-and-honey wholesomeness and heavenly voice of Brianne Beck as Belle, to the vocal depth and richness of Frank Bachman as the Beast, and the strutting dude-ness of Mark Ridenour as Gaston, the show is packed with people who could easily give up their day jobs if “musical performer” were a viable job description in our region.

While most of the attention is typically paid to the stars, the supporting cast adds humor and charm. Anne Bahr (who also designed costumes), Leslie Michaud, Brayden Beardsley, Andy Beardsley and Debra Hangge (watch out for her hilarious high note) create enchantment in the Beast’s mournful castle. (For those who somehow still don’t know the plot, it’s Belle who, through loving and being loved by the Beast, redeems his life and ends a spell cast on him and his home.) Three true comics – Peter Carriveau (Cogsworth), Roland Dube (Lumiere) and Steve Estey (LeFou) – leap off the stage with their jokester mannerisms. Their lines are the best written, for sure, but without a certain je ne sais quoi about timing, slapstick and the raised eyebrow, not to mention an ability to play pathos, these parts could easily slip back into cartoon. Instead, the trio steals the show – without ever really grabbing the spotlight from the admittedly substantial leads. That’s talent.

Stack couldn’t say how many scene changes take place in the evening. Instead, he reported that the show has “200 events.” Be patient, theatergoers. The course of true love never runs smoothly. Nor does amateur musical theater. You’ll see gaffes. But you will also see magic.

“Beauty and the Beast” runs 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday through Nov. 6 at The Grand on Main Street in Ellsworth. Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, $10 for children ages 12 and under. For information and reservations, call 667-9500 or visit www.grandonline.org.