Treats in ‘Enchantment of Beauty and the Beast’

The Nine O’Clock Players, the 72-year-old, volunteer auxiliary of the Assistance League of Southern California in Hollywood, used to put on shows in the “worthy effort, but ... “ category. The all-women amateur theater group’s jolly fairy tales for young students and economically and physically challenged children were often staged with more goodwill than skill.

Times have changed. Today the company’s fully staged, professionally mounted shows boast a handful of talented pros who bring polish and verve to the cast. They just need to stop clinging to one unappealing “kiddie theater” staple--shrieking chases up and down the aisles--and the less professional cast members need to stop mistaking volume for expression.

Not that there aren’t treats aplenty in the company’s current production, “The Enchantment of Beauty and the Beast,” directed by Bonnie Hellman, despite the obligatory chase and a few uncommitted performances. For starters, Vera Morris’ adaptation of the classic French tale has some original touches to raise interest, and the title stars are exceptional.

Tall, deep-voiced Jodi Gilbert, the company’s always convincing romantic lead, commands the stage as the Beast, movingly portraying his arrogance, anguish and redemption. As Beauty, delicate Andrea Ganzel, a Broadway and regional musical stage veteran, matches Gilbert’s credibility, and her beautiful, soaring singing voice plucks the heartstrings.

Versatile Judy Claverie, another accomplished singer who plays narrator, sorceress, a talking clock and the mysterious “Rose Legend,” is another big plus.

Douglas Ridgeway’s lavish, handsome fairy tale set in gold and royal purple, complete with flickering wall sconces and an elevated throne, should get star billing, too. Other highlights are Carol Onofrio’s sumptuous period costumes and Matthew O’Donnell’s detailed lighting design.

Sound, by Linda Burke and Jeanie McCarthy, is less attractive. The actors are over-miked, and raised voices and misguided shrieking--Pam Schroer as a wolf and Jeanette Johnson as Beauty’s hapless mom are especially guilty--are painful. At the performance I saw, some children covered their ears.

Bill Francoeur’s melodic music and lyrics, though, are a pleasant surprise, only a bit reminiscent of you-know-who’s blockbuster--a hearty clock, a stylish French chair and an obliging painting (cleverly done) welcome Beauty, and the words “be our guest” come up, although the song is not otherwise like Disney’s version. Musical director David O, a stage and screen composer, deftly performs the score live on piano and synthesizer.

Adding to the overall lovely look of the play are Julietta Marcelli’s graceful court dances and romantic waltzes, performed with style.

“The Enchantment of Beauty and the Beast,” Walter Lantz Magic Auditorium, Assistance League Playhouse, 1367 N. St. Andrews Place, Hollywood. Saturdays and Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends March 24. $9. (323) 469-1970. Running time: 1 hour, 45 minutes.