By Dana Casadei

All the narrator (James May) had to say was “Once upon a time, in a faraway land…” and I was taken back to being five years old in my living room, watching my favorite Disney movie with my Belle doll gripped tight. Luckily for grown-up me, for this version of “Beauty and the Beast” I had a much better view.

Directed by Rob Roth, with choreography by Matt West, the two-and-a-half-hour musical is based on the 1991 Disney film that viewers loved. Audiences will find themselves back in France, where our Beast (Darick Pead), the once charming prince, has been put under a spell that has turned him into the title character. He must now learn to love someone, and for them to love him in return, for the curse to end. Otherwise he and his household will be doomed. Enter Belle (Hilary Maiberger), my favorite Disney princess.

Belle, as anyone that’s seen the movie knows, is a bookish girl that doesn’t really fit in with her town. She has an eccentric father, Maurice (Paul Crane), who some of the town has deemed a little crazy. And yet, she has gained the attention of the town’s most sought-after man, Gaston (Tim Rogan), who wants to marry her. Side note: Rogan is excellent, and his voice pairs perfectly with the songs he’s given.

But then Maurice finds himself lost in the woods, only to end up at Beast’s castle. After finding him imprisoned there, Belle gives up her own freedom so her father can leave. Then the journey of romance for the Beast and Belle really begins.

With Alan Menken’s music, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton, the musical has both songs that you’ll remember and six new ones. There are six from the film, and one that was originally cut from the film as well. There’s also a lot more sarcasm in the musical than I remember from the movie. But that could have more to do with the fact that I was five when I watched it than anything else.

Maiberger has a very pure, smooth voice. She handles the numbers with charm and charisma, although I did find myself enjoying her Act II numbers more than Act I. But during a time when songs like “Selfie” – a moment of silence for actual music please – are blasting on the radio, it’s nice to hear such an authentic voice. No auto-tune here.

Pead does extremely well playing both sides of the Beast, the scary, mean one and one that’s more tenderhearted. He also gets to have some fun comedic bits.

While the leads are both good, there are times when the smaller roles shine a little brighter. Kristin Stewart plays Mrs. Potts with much warmth and motherly nature. Stewart also has a voice that knocks any number she’s given out of the park, especially the show’s title song. Needless to say, Angela Lansbury would be proud that someone is filling her shoes from the film so nicely.

Hassan Nazari-Robati (Lumiere) is a delight to watch. Nazari-Robati is one heck of a showman, and you’ll love every minute of it, especially during “Be Our Guest.” James May as “tightly-wound” Cogsworth and Roxy York (Madame de la Grande Bouche) both have comedic timing to match their impressive pipes.

Stanley A. Meyer’s set is off the charts amazing. It looks like a pop-up book come to life, filled with lovely colors and set pieces. Ann Hould-Ward won a Tony for costumes on this show, and they are, much like the set, simply fantastic.

Having played for over 35 million people in 22 countries this tale seems to be standing the test of time, an appropriate place for a Disney classic.