SULLIVAN - It can't be easy bringing a cartoon to the stage.

Especially when the story involves talking candlesticks, clocks and teapots.

Yet The Little Theatre-On the Square does it well with its current production of "Beauty and the Beast," the most technical of its shows this summer season.

Elaborate and colorful costuming accompanies an impressive set that takes the audience from the "poor provincial town" in which bookish Belle (Kristen J. Smith) lives to the enchanted castle inhabited by the Beast (Aaron Lake).

The musical is based on Disney's interpretation of the classic tale. In it, a spell turns a handsome man into a hideous beast, and the only remedy is for him to fall in love - and for the woman he falls for to love him back.

Fans of the feature-length cartoon will remember that in Disney's version, the Beast's castle also falls under the spell, causing servants to become inanimate objects. (One of the showstoppers, "Be Our Guest," involves dancing dinnerware that serves up a midnight snack for the heroine.)

In the musical, there are additional songs and another twist: The objects are in the process of transforming, constantly becoming a little less of their human selves. But as in the cartoon, those supporting characters end up stealing the musical and becoming the most interesting ones to watch onstage.

I don't have space to name all the great character performances, so settle for the ones who stuck out and know there's more to see when you actually catch the show.

Actor Seth Bogner was a pleasure to watch as Lumiere, the frisky candlestick. Scenes between him and Babette, the sexy duster played by Tracy Ganem, provide some of the best moments in the show. Mrs. Potts, a teapot played by Ann Borders and Cogsworth, a clock played by Whit Reichert, were a perfect mix of good casting and acting.

Gaston (Jim Ballard), the buff buffoon who sets his sights on winning Belle's hand in marriage, and LeFou (Luke Mills), the sycophant who follows him around, also add some great comedic - and larger than life - moments to the show.

The Beast (Lake) is convincing with his animal-like movements and noises. His voice, as well as Belle's (Smith), is consistently strong.

Kudos to the set designers, as well. The Beast's castle in particular was beautiful to look at and crafted to accommodate both indoor and outdoor scenes. Skillful direction by Sam Scalamoni allowed actors to seamlessly maneuver the cumbersome set.

But there are challenges to taking on a show so technical in nature - a fact that became obvious a couple of times throughout the performance.

Cogsworth lost his wind-up mechanism, but his cover-up earned an extra laugh (he mugged for the audience and said something to the effect of "that hurt"). The Beast, when turning back into a man at the end, spent a couple of painful seconds sporting a completely exposed wig cap before he noticed the error and took it off.

Volume of the actors also was an occasional problem. As I was leaving, I heard one audience member say there was "no excuse" for not being able to hear in a theater of that size. I have to agree.

But overall, the show was definitely a success and a lovely introduction to theater for young ones, as well. If they know the Disney film, they'll hear some familiar tunes and get reacquainted with characters that are just as likeable on the Little Theatre stage as they are on the big screen.

WHAT: "Beauty and the Beast."

WHEN: today through Sunday, July 17. Shows at 8 p.m. Tuesday, 2 and 8 p.m. Wednesday, 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

WHERE: Little Theatre-On the Square, Sullivan.

TICKETS: $25-$22; call 728-7375 or 1-888-261-9675.

CAST: Kristen J. Smith (Belle); Luke Mills (LeFou); Jim Ballard (Gaston); Michael Haws (Maurice); Seth Bogner (Lumiere); Whit Reichert (Cogsworth); Tracy Ganem (Babette); Ann Borders (Mrs. Potts); Trey Skocy (Chip); Aaron Lake (Beast); Angie Smith (Wardrobe); Jeff Kready (Monsiuer D'Arque); Matt Burns, Ann Ehnes, Brandon Haagenson, Alex Jorth, Rebecca Kloha, Jeff Kready, Ian Liberto, Drew Nellessen, Elizabeth Pugh, Courtney Self, Lauran Stanis and Michelle Valenti (ensemble).

DIRECTOR: Sam Scalamoni.

ON THE WEB: thelittletheatre.org.

Amy Hoak can be reached at ahoak@;herald-review.com or 421-7972.