As a child, I had to watch Beauty and the Beast before I took a nap, and if I wasn’t asleep by the end of the first song, I wasn’t going to sleep. For my senior prom, I wore a yellow dress that looked very similar to the one Belle wore at the end of the movie. And I really want a Belle and Beast topper for my wedding cake.

Needless to say, I love the “tale as old as time.”

I saw it for the 10th time at Jesse Auditorium last night, and it was my favorite performance to date. Because it was the stage production of the film, there were a few new songs and lines. One of the songs showcased the Beast’s singing ability, and the new lines made Beauty and the Beast funny. The audience laughed out loud for most of the musical.

The costumes were fantastic and the stage sets were enchanting, but the actors are what made the production. Gaston stole the show before intermission, and Chip was the star afterward.

Beauty and the Beast is one of those things you have to see live, at least once in your life.