David Spangenthal toured in one company of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" and was in the ensemble on Broadway for nine months. Now he's here from New York to put his imprint on the Beast, as well as direct and choreograph the musical, which opens tonight as the finale of Diamond Head Theatre's milestone 90th season.

"I love the show; it's such a fun, beautiful story, and I adore the music," said Spangenthal, who last was in Hawai'i in DHT's "42nd Street" six years ago.

This production marks Spangenthal's first as the furry male lead. He says he's found enchantment in the whimsical story, inspired by Disney's animated film, which has roots in classic folklore.

"For me, the core is the story, and what it teaches about diversity and acceptance, about finding people's inner beauty and looking past the outer shell of appearance," said Spangenthal.

"Belle does just that; and at this point in time, it's significant, with a lot of hate going on after 9/11 (and the more recent terrorist bombings in London).

"People are troubled; this show is about love, about accepting people for who they are and not what they look like."

Fresh from her triumphant performance as Kim in Army Community Theatre's "Miss Saigon," Shawna Masuda, 18, is playing Belle — and is a tad overwhelmed by her good fortune and her collaboration with a Broadway trouper.

"I'm having a good time, and working with David has been a dream," said Masuda, who never anticipated another top-tier role so soon.

"I just graduated from 'Aiea High School this year," she noted. She hopes to major in theater at the University of Hawai'i this fall.

Accustomed to the dramatic intensity and dark theme of "Saigon," Masuda said "I was having a hard time being happier (as Belle), as opposed to being sad (as Kim).

"Belle is a huge role, and I'm 'getting' her a lot better with each passing day. Like her, I'm strong and intense; maybe a little too much. But going to rehearsals, playing her, is the highlight of my day."

In "the tale as old as time," Belle is a disenchanted girl from a small French town who tries to ward off the advances of a conceited suitor, Gaston, when she encounters a prince.

The prince has been transformed into a menacing and heartless Beast by a rose-hawking enchantress whose haggard appearance had repulsed him. He is banished to a castle, where his lone window to the world is a magic mirror.

As the musical plays out, Belle helps the prince find compassion and love, amid themes of acceptance, harmony, sacrifice and redemption. Ultimately, the spell is broken, and the Beast returns to princely form.

While the production is family-oriented, the Beast — because of his tone and physical appearance — may initially frighten small children.

"Most kids are fine with the show, but the sensitive young ones get a little nervous early on," said Spangenthal, who understudied the role (as well as Gaston) on a national tour. He also was a Monsieur D'Arque understudy in the Broadway company.

"The Beast is pretty beastly at first but warms up later in the show," he said. "He's a pretty angry character who roars — but becomes lovable, like a teddy bear."

Masuda said, "I want to hug him at the end."

Spangenthal said, "Sometimes, she wonders if she really wants him to change (back to a prince)."

Spangenthal's earlier stint with DHT, and his experience with the "Beast," helped him land his multiple duties here.

"Last year, I had talked to John (Rampage, DHT's artistic director) when they were deciding the current season; he asked if I would do it here. And how could I not do it? It's been an amazing experience.

"On Broadway, theater is a living; it's everyone's job. But here, people are in theater because they love to do it, and they bring a different energy. They have day jobs; they come at night, to be part of something; if not acting, they help with costumes, sets, painting.

"It's family. I'm the envy of my colleagues back home."

The challenge, of course, was to rev up performances to the "professional" levels Spangenthal was accustomed to.

"But I got lucky," said Spangenthal. "I found a talented cast; I haven't had to teach people how to act — or dance. We have some really great performers in the show; my goal is to make such a big production fit in this smaller theater, make it magical, and make it worthy of the Disney name."

Spangenthal said he had heard about Masuda, and her role as Kim, but she was not pre-cast.

"I had several choices for Belle, but Shawna's voice was amazing. She also had the brains; and she brings such light, such innocence, to the role." Spangenthal also relates that Masuda was impressively quick to memorize her lines, and because of his lengthy experience with "Beast," she trusted him to guide her.

Her take? "He told me to take my character and make it my own. He's given us the joy of experimentation."

Masuda said she's doing nothing else this summer. "No job. No homework. But I just got my driver's license and inherited my grandmother's car."

And she's already got her sights on the Jasmine role in DHT's "Aladdin Junior" next season.

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