The classic "Beauty and the Beast" came to life Friday to a crowded house at the Succop Theatre at Butler County Community College. The beauty was a sure thing and consistent all night but other issues, both technical and human, might have benefited from a bit more taming.

Overall the production was fun to watch and a pleasure to look at with stunning costumes and admirable sets. It was the glitches such as dropped lines and lyrics and some audio issues that brought reality to this fantasy musical.

Mandy Tokarek as Belle did a fabulous job in the vocal category. All her numbers were well executed, full of emotion and well sung. Unfortunately there was little chemistry with her costars so her acting scenes were less magical than her musical performance. She did however seem to hit her stride with the Beast during their last few scenes.

Gaston was the typical chauvinist played convincingly by Scott Shearer, whose deep raspy voice perfectly matched his swagger and his chin.

His nemesis, the Beast, was portrayed by Dave Sloboda. Sloboda's voice seemed to strain toward the end of the show but he was in top form early on. My little seat mate loved his roar and thought he was intimidating.

One of his best numbers was "If I can't love her," which was a moving sorrowful lament at love that might not be.

The duo of Cogsworth the Clock, played by Nathan Rockcastle, and Lumiere the candelabra, played by Darrell Paul, were much like the original story in personality and mannerisms.

Mrs. Potts' costume was delightful and her performance of "Beauty and the Beast" was most likely the best I've heard from the Sing Hosanna veteran, Dale Riemer.

There were a few awkward moments in the final scene during the transformation of the beast. It seemed like a painfully long time to watch Belle weep until the beast appeared princely. Again, a bit of reality breaking the fantasy mojo, but it is live theater, right?

Children around me loved the show and sat riveted during the entire production. It was an enjoyable evening for family theater and left every little girl and some big ones wishing they could be a princess.

The audience had the opportunity to bid on theme painted furniture. A stool was auctioned off Friday with other pieces available at subsequent performances.