Pied Piper has a 'Beast' of a musical production

The Pied Piper Theater's rendition of Beauty and the Beast was not just for moms this past weekend, but for entire families.

To a full house, the cast and crew of well more than 100 -- many of whom included parent volunteers -- offered professional quality acting, music and dancing.

The storyline stuck close to the Disney version and presented familiar tunes such as "Be Our Guest" and the theme song "Beauty and the Beast."

Sixteen-year-old Catie Zadnik plays Belle, a daydreaming young woman trying to save her aging, eccentric father and eschew a forced marriage to Gaston, played by 17-year-old Connor Smith.

Zadnik, with her striking voice and innocent looks, contrasted the popular, thick-necked, barrel-chested, vain villain who, while having somewhat of an excuse for narcissism, bullies and manipulates his way through the French provincial town.

Meanwhile, the Beast, played by Battlefield High School junior David Johnson has been cursed for being uncharitable to an enchantress. The curse has extended to his entire castle and household who are turned into furniture, household items and tableware.

The Beast meets Belle's father, and later, daughter, running from wolves in the nearby woods. He captures both for trespassing, but Belle frees her father by offering herself as a prisoner.

The Beast has little hope of lifting the curse that requires him to fall in love and be loved before the last petal of a magical rose drops. While it might be easier for the Beast to love, being loved is no easy task considering his controlling nature, temper and poor table manners.

Eventually, Belle brings compassion and hope to the bewitched Beast through a series of interactions reminiscent of "The King and I."

Lumiere the Candlestick (Andrew Perry of Bristow), a kind of butler-turned-burning wax, brings laughter with his "punny" wit, flamboyant charm and convincing French accent.

Cogsworth the Clock (Mitchell Gillin of Haymarket), equally as hilarious, the maternal Mrs. Potts (Gretchen Krupp), and her son Chip (Nathan Yannarell of Gainesville), along with a cast of plates, dishes, forks, spoons, and napkins added to the merriment with well-choreographed dance and song.

The Beast and Gaston illustrated the striking contrast between selflessness and callousness, good and evil, transformation versus stagnation, leading the more philosophical to question, "Who is the real beast?"

Learning to accept self also emerges as a theme when Belle, a bookworm, reads to the illiterate, outcast beast.

The show will run again Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m. at Osbourn Park High School, 8909 Euclid Ave., Manassas. Tickets are $9 at the door or may be purchased in advance for $8 at center-for-the-arts.org.