Fairy tales. We all read them as kids and Disney has made a slew of them into animated and feature films over the past, what, 60 years? Broadway, off-Broadway and every professional and community theater group in the world has presented many of them. Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” is in production at Maine State Music Theater and it is, without a doubt, enchantment at its best!

The tale is one we all know so well – a beautiful young woman named Belle (portrayed to perfection by Lexi Rabadi) who’s considered a bit of a freak in the tiny provincial village. Belle keeps to herself and reads voraciously to vicariously experience the outside world. And her father, Maurice (Glenn Anderson) a most unsuccessful inventor, is also a bit of a scatterbrain, but is a kindhearted, gentle soul. Maurice sets out to enter his latest invention in a competition a good distance from their home and gets lost in the woods. He comes upon a castle and after receiving no repsonse to his knocks at the door, lets himself in. To his surprise (and delight) he discovers inanimate objects that are also half-human thanks to a curse laid upon the owner of the grand home the day he rejected an enchantress (a role danced beautifully by Jessie Lawyer) disguised as an old vagrant woman. Not only does she curse him, but his entire household and anyone who enters it. Hell hath no fury like an enchantress scorned!

LeFou tells Belle about a castle he stumbled upon in the woods and, were it not for the fact he was wearing the scarf Belle had given to her father before he set off she wouldn’t have known her father was being held captive. She manages to get LeFou to tell her where the castle is and she goes there to save Maurice and ends up offering to trade places with him in the Beast’s castle.

From there the love story gets its rocky start. Rabadi and Darick Pead (the Beast) have a palpable connection as these characters. When the Beast is threatening to Belle, like at their first meeting outside her father’s cell in the dungeon, her response is that of one truly afraid. The depth of emotion these two convey adds to the magic of this production. And their voices!

Rabadi’s singing voice is divine; she easily hits all the high, and low notes. She knows her character so well; she grew up watching the animated Disney film not knowing she would eventually play Belle on stage – the first time at the Fulton Theater in 2016. She’s just the perfect Belle.

Pead has a wonderful singing voice – well, he’d have to, right? In his solo song, “If I Can’t Love Her,” we hear the pain and borderline hopelessness consuming the Beast who has become quite taken with Miss Belle.

And, you know, this Beast is actually quite adorable – when he’s finally having dinner with Belle and can’t quite get a handle on eating in a civilized fashion … or, even better, there’s the scene in his library where Belle learns the Beast cannot read. She takes a book about King Arthur from the shelf to read to him. She beckons him to sit beside her and he does – by leaping on the bench next to her on his haunches! Sweet. And, as we all know, his endearing manner is essential to breaking the curse, for himself and his staff.

From the moment the curtain rises, magic takes center stage conjured by a stellar cast. Stellar. And the dance numbers! Oh, my, my … dazzling! Marc Robin  co-directed and choreographed this show and “Be Our Guest” and “Gaston" are unforgettable moments.

The acrobatics, or acrodance, performed by some of the ensemble dancers, such as intern Michael Olaribigbe as the Carpet, will blow you away! The stamina and strength, fluidity and agility he brings to the role has to be noted. I can still see him performing aerial flips across the stage and I can’t help but admire his ability – and endurance considering how many performances there are of this fantastic musical offering.

Gaston’s sidekick LeFou is played brilliantly by Ethan Carlson. This production’s LeFou, like the 2017 feature film starring Emma Watson as Belle, is decidedly gay in a subtle, yet undeniable way. Carlson makes the most out of some of his character’s dialogue … LeFou is definitely crushing on Gaston, or maybe he’s just having fun. And you will too. One more thing about Carlson – he’s quite the acrobat – he also walking across the stage on his … hands. All in all, Carlson, as he makes the most out of every bit of dialogue and dance step, almost steals the show. Almost.

Speaking of Gaston (Matthew Ragas), I believe it’s safe to say that most of the women in the audience the night I was there were probably crushing on the dashing and dishy Gaston. Ragas is sensational as the self-obsessed leading man of the village who knows he’s good looking and a great catch – well, according to him anyway! Ragas is fabulous in the “Gaston” ensemble song and dance number, from his moves to that incredible voice. Ragas also seemed to be enjoying the role immensely. And, hey, why shouldn’t he, he IS Gaston, right?!

Lumiere the candelabra (played oh so charmingly and oh so naughtily by James Patterson) has my vote for show stealer. He is deliciously vibrant – even when his torches aren’t glowing! I have always loved this character the most in this story. How can you not, he’s so, so fabuleux, so drôle! Patterson is a delight as the frisky Lumiere, so fully giving himself over to the role, and charming more women than his lovely Babette (Bria Jene’ Williams), the equally oh so French maid.

And then there’s Cogsworth (John Reeger), a clock, Lumiere’s dream straight man, er, clock, no man. My favorite scene with Cogsworth is when he is taking Belle on a tour of the castle and speaks through a megaphone. The knowledgeable tour guide with one of the best known quotes in the show ... " … This is yet another example of the neo-classic Baroque period, and as I always say, if it's not Baroque, don't fix it!”

The youth ensemble features a young lady Boothbay region audiences are quite familiar with – Sophia Scott! A member of the Y-Arts group here in Boothbay Harbor, Sophia is wonderfully poised and confident on stage, and is an animated performer.

Colorful costumes, lighting, sets, music, song and dance … musicals just don’t get any better than this.

 MSMT’s Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” is a most enchanting, magical experience. Don’t miss your chance to fall under its spell!

For more information, call the box office at 725-8769 or visit www.msmt.org