The second night of Broadway in Tucson’s “”Beauty & the Beast”” was nearly packed. Little girls dressed in their yellow dresses swarmed at the Tucson Music Hall to see their favorite Disney story come to life. And that it did.

The large ensemble cast opened the show just like the movie everyone has grown to love. Belle’s provincial town jumped out of the screen and popped onto the stage — it was the real version of the movie plus a few extra songs. The sets were intricate down to the very brick of each building. Autumn leaves and flowers, muted in color, framed a rose. The rose.

Liz Shivener as Belle rose to the occasion and brought Belle to life. When she hit the high notes it sent shivers down spines. She wasn’t the only one with good pipes — the entire cast charmed the audience with their grandiose and operatic voices.  

The crowd’s laughable favorites of the night were Nathaniel Hackmann as Gaston and Michael Fatica as Lefou. Hackmann’s arrogance and flexing were perfectly counteracted by Fatica’s slapstick and jumping around the stage.

Whenever Justin Glaser took the stage as the Beast, his deep voice held the audience’s attention. Merritt David Janes‘  Lumiere and his candle-hands lit up and blew out at the most opportune times. Janes and Keith Kirkwood as Cogsworth were a hilarious duo. Even Shefield Hocker as Chip the teacup became a quick crowd favorite with his squeaky voice, that and the fact that he was a teacup.  

The scene changes flowed and changed quickly. The lights flashed on and off within a matter of seconds to reveal something new, something that normally people wouldn’t be able to pull off so quickly. The special effects, from puppets to screens creating the forest, rain, or both as well as some confetti tossed in make the show. There are lots of surprises in store for the audience.

Whether you want to feel like a little kid again, you just love “”Beauty & the Beast,”” or you want to enjoy a musical, this show is for you.