AUBURN — “Be Our Guest” is the enthusiastic invitation of Community Little Theatre  to its enchanting production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” opening Friday, Aug. 19.

All the magic of “a tale as old as time” will come alive on the CLT stage. The story tells of a prince who is transformed into a hideous beast as punishment for his cruel and selfish ways, and an adventurous young woman named Belle, whom he imprisons in his castle. In order to become human again, the Beast must earn Belle’s love before it’s too late.
Richard Martin directs this production, and he is well acquainted with the show. It was 10 years ago when Martin directed CLT’s last production of “Beauty and the Beast.” He said it’s almost 25 years to the day when he was first involved with this Disney musical for a high school show. This will be his third go-round on a CLT production of “B&B.”
Things get off to a boisterous start with the Tavern Scene.
“This time we have added the dynamic dance with the mugs,” Martin said. The director said he has aimed for a special level of excellence for this production. He is confident that the cast and crew will deliver “a very impressive world 0f village, forest and castle for Belle and the beast.”
Martin is sure that audiences will be delighted with “Be Our Guest,” the well-known number in which the enchanted villagers who have been turned into household items serve a forbidden dinner to Belle.
‘”Human Again” is a hopeful number by the assorted household furnishings and accessories. There’s also a touching banquet scene in which Belle and the beast begin falling in love, and a remarkable transformation scene at the end.
“We’ve got many talented actors in this show, and a lot of returning cast members” from “Beauty and the Beast” in CLT’s 2005-2006 season,” Martin said.
Emily Flynn portrays Belle, repeating the role she played 10 years ago.
Chip Groover plays the beast. He has appeared in previous CLT shows, but this is his first leading role.
Phillip Warren plays the vain and egotistical Gaston. He is the brother of Kay Warren, who is assistant producer for this show. She’s a veteran on stage and off for several other CLT productions.
Scotty Venable plays Lefou, Gaston’s bumbling sidekick.
Maurice, Belle’s loving but eccentric inventor father, is played by Dan Crawford.
Mitchell Clyde Thomas returns in the role of Lumiere, a suave, French debonair enchanted candelabra who is maître d’ of the castle.
David Handley (Fagin in CLT’s “Oliver”) is Cogsworth, a tightly-wound enchanted mantle clock; and Christine Gill is Madame de la Grande Bouche, an opera diva turned into a wardrobe.
Jordan Payne, a newcomer to CLT’s stage plays Mrs. Potts, the warm-hearted teapot, and Mallory Haynes-White plays Chip, a young tea cup.
Three Silly Girls are played by Lindsay Cagney, Myranda Michaud and Felicia Mcleod.
Members of the ensemble are Maxwell Draper, Jeff Fairfield, Dexter Casto, Ken Mansur, Meredith Crawford, Debbie Mansur, Casey Griffin, Mackenzie Richard, Phil Vampatella, Genevieve Hering, Olivia DuBois, Sophie Wood,
Phoebe Gouette, Nicole Chase, Stefanie Lynn, and Adam Talpey.
Martin said Vincent Ratsavong, choreographer and assistant director, guides the cast through some remarkable dances.
Jennifer Fox, costume designer, has gone above and beyond the highest hopes of everyone at CLT for this show’s very special outfits, Martin said.
Paul Caron, music director, leads an 11-member orchestra.
Beauty” ran on Broadway for 5,461 performances between 1994 and 2007, becoming Broadway’s ninth longest-running production in history.
Performances of “Beauty and the Beast” are at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 19, 20 and 25, 26 and 27 and at 2 p.m. Aug. 21 and 28.The Great Falls Performing Arts Center is at 30 Academy St., Auburn.