Now playing at the Woodlawn Theatre is Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ the musical based on the award-winning animated movie that revolves around Belle, a young woman in a small town and the Beast, who is actually a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. This family friendly production opened on Friday July 5 with much acclaim and will run through Sunday July 28. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets prices range from $18 to $30 and are available online or by calling the box office at (210) 267-8388.

After the Overture, Disney’s ’Beauty and the Beast’ begins on a cold winter’s night. An old beggar woman (Madeline Gutierrez) comes to a young spoiled prince’s castle and offers him a single rose in return for shelter but the prince (Chris Fuglestad) turns her away because of her appearance. The old woman warns him not to be fooled by appearances because true beauty lies within but the prince rejects her again. She then transforms into a beautiful enchantress and turns him into a hideous Beast and all his servants into various household objects. She gives him a rose and tells him that the only way to break the spell is to find someone to love and someone to return that love by the time the last petal falls. “Prologue”

Years later, a beautiful young girl named Belle (Reagan Wilson) comes into town one morning on her way to the local bookseller and expresses her wish to live in a world like the ones she reads in her books. “Belle” Her eccentric father Maurice (James Frazier) is an inventor and gets lost in the woods on the way to an invention fair and wanders into the Beast’s castle. He is thrown into the dungeon for trespassing and when Belle comes looking for him and finds him imprisoned, she strikes a deal with the Beast. She agrees to stay behind as long as her father is freed. At first Belle and the Beast clash, but eventually they become friends and end up falling for each other. Just before the last petal falls, Belle admits she loves him and her declaration breaks the spell and the Beast is transformed into a human again. “Transformation”

Friday night’s performance was to a nearly full house and it did not disappoint. Even though the show is based on an animated movie, it has something for everyone, from romance to comedy. During “Belle,” the first musical number, Gaston (Cary Farrow IV) becomes an audience favorite, bringing to mind the lovable cartoon character Johnny Bravo. Other beloved characters include Lumiere (Nick DeGraw) and Cogsworth (Brian Zavala). Standout performances include “Be Our Guest” by Lumiere, Mrs. Potts and the ensemble, which ends in a confetti explosion, and “Human Again” by Lumiere and the ensemble when they desperately wish to be human again. Belle’s “A Change in Me” is sweet and heartwarming and the Beast’s “If I Can’t Love Her” is one of the show’s most poignant moments. Just watching the Beast and Belle dance during “Beauty and the Beast” was a treat in and of itself. Overall, Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is an unforgettable show that the whole family can enjoy. The story, characters, gorgeous costumes and amazing singing and dancing makes this a show not to be missed. An outstanding job by the talented cast and crew.