The Kelly Critics is a joint program of the Post-Gazette and Pittsburgh CLO in which students of high schools entered in this year's Gene Kelly Awards review other school's musicals.

The charisma and chemistry of the entire cast of Central Catholic Masque's "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" truly brought a classic to life. From the sincere interactions between Belle, played by Jane Jeffries, and her father Maurice (Alex Pazuchanics), in their duet, "No Matter What," to Gaston's (Mike Campayno) playfully abusing his sidekick Le Fou in "Gaston," the cast brought a certain excitement to the stage that made for a very enjoyable performance -- especially for the most precious of attendees.

As the curtain was about to open, two little girls next to me were on the edges of their seats in sheer excitement. As a professionally contracted orchestra flawlessly sounded the overture through the renovated church cathedral, the little girls quickly fell from reality and slipped into the world of "Beauty and the Beast."

The unseen Narrator, played by Brother James Muffley (a chemistry teacher at Central), begins the show with the famous "once upon a time" and continues to explain how a spell was cast on a young prince that turned him into a grotesque beast. The only way the Beast, played by Bob Neumeyer, could be saved from the horrible curse was if he learned to love another, and earned another's love in return, before the last petal fell on a magic rose.

The haunting strobe lights and fog of the castle quickly changed to the bright smiles of the townspeople singing the opening number, "Belle." The number was fairly energetic, but a bit cluttered. With the majority of the cast confined to the front half of the stage, it was difficult for audience members to focus on the ensemble members with solo lines.

The ensemble was quickly redeemed in "Gaston," an ode to the arrogant hunk of the town. Equipped with dancing barmaids, complicated mug-clinking, and a whole lot of energy, the number was an audience favorite, getting a lengthy ovation. As the self-absorbed and quite loathable Gaston, Mike Campayno showed solid vocals on songs like "Gaston" and "Maison des Lunes" and his unwavering charisma demanded the audience's attention. Steve LaRussa's (Le Fou) use of physical comedy sent him hurling across the stage numerous times and made that duo that much more enjoyable to watch.

Adding to the great chemistry of the show was Ted Stevenson as Lumiere, who had the audience chuckling with his authentic French accent, and Chris Williams as Cogsworth who overreacted about all of the happenings of the castle. The two contrasting characters (Lumiere being lenient and Cogsworth being quite rigid) made the audience anticipate their interactions. Other members of the castle staff including Mrs. Potts (Allie Abraham) and the Wardrobe (Nina Carcia) added both texture and variety to the dark and dingy castle setting with their bubbly personalities.

The lighting, which ranged from dark wilderness patterns to romantic ballroom lighting, was truly a spectacle, as when Belle's father Maurice was lost in the woods and in the "Beauty and the Beast" silhouette on the curtain before the show.

The set pieces, like the West Wing of the castle, were detailed but not overdone, allowing the stage crew to cruise smoothly through many scene changes. The costumes were fairly good until the castle; there, they became excellent. Between Lumiere's glowing candle hands and the delicious dessert headpieces displayed in "Be Our Guest," those were outstanding.

A high school production can only rehearse so many times before their movements and lines are learned. After that, it is up to the cast and crew to really bring the show to life with energy, charisma, and chemistry. Central Catholic Masque's "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" was full of excitement and a unique chemistry that allowed an old classic to spring to life.