A tale as old as time along with the expectations of a Disney animated movie can rest heavily on the shoulders of a cast and crew of “Beauty and the Beast.”

“I think the hardest part for me personally was having to meet the expectations of such an iconic role,” said Chloe Cordel, who plays Mrs. Potts.

But she and members of the Gainesville Theatre Alliance are up to the task.

For its seventh production of the year, GTA actors and technicians have worked diligently to create more than 30 sets and designed several costumes to recreate the Disney-based fairy tale.

“We want it to be effortlessly beautiful,” director Jim Hammond said during the backstage tour Tuesday night at Hosch Theater at Brenau University.

In the story, a handsome-but-egocentric town bully and a prince cursed and turned into a horrible beast attempt to capture the heart of a bookish damsel. Based on Disney’s animated film, “Beauty and the Beast” features singing furnishings, dancing tea sets and a grand spectacle for the eyes. To that end, more more technicians than actors contributed to the production.

However, it was not easy on the actors’ end, either.

Shane Olcott, who portrays the Beast, said navigating the stage proved the most difficult portion of the production in his experience.

“There are so many moving set pieces, it was hard working with them,” he said.

The play also incorporated choreography into the scene with the Can Can and ballroom dances.

Barbara Hartwig said in any good musical production, choreography is very important. She explained a musical is not only about singing or dancing but combining the two for unified production.

But she said the cast was “very supportive of each other” as they rehearsed the steps.

Olcott agreed.

“Everyone has worked so hard on making this perfect,” he said.

Part of that perfection included dressing the actors in accurate attire.

Costume designer Pamela Workman said she researched the time period of the animated film. She said she wanted to blend “the history and the animated version of the story.”

And the costume fit on the actors was visible, especially since they needed the freedom to dance in them.

During a scene preview, all of the cast and crew’s hard work and dedication were evident.

In a scene between Belle, played by Lauren Hill, and Gaston, played by Marcelo Audino, the pair easily moved in tandem and blended their voices. Their movements were accentuated by the lighting and music.

Brenau musical theater professor Rick Gomez said the music is supposed to create unresolved feelings in the characters and the audience. It also conveys the theme of “hope for love” and “hope for family” that most Disney films and musicals are meant to deliver, he said.

The GTA students deliver that message with talent and professionalism, Gomez said.

“Beauty and the Beast” will run from Nov. 8-19 in the John S. Burd Center at 429 Academy St. in Gainesville. A special preview performance will be Monday, Nov. 7, with discounted tickets of $10.  A free opening night reception will catered by Luna’s in the lobby following the Nov. 8 performance.

Tickets are $24-26 for adults, $22-24 seniors 65 and older and $14-16 for students, depending on seat location.

For tickets or more information, call 678-717-3624 or visit www.gainesvilletheatre
alliance.org.