The Honolulu Theatre for Youth gives a little story a big look with "Ferdinand the Bull," now playing for school and public audiences at Tenney Theatre.

Based on the children's book, "The Story of Ferdinand," and adapted for the stage by Karen Zacarias, it's the story of a bull who would rather be a lover than a fighter and a boy who would rather be a dancer than a matador. The production also has music and songs by Deborah Wicks La Puma.

The play is a fine opportunity for HTY designers to take advantage of having a permanent home.

Set designer Joseph Dodd makes the boldest moves by transforming the proscenium into a Spanish village, complete with archways, balconies and tiled roofs. But his big effect is hidden behind a large red curtain for much of the action.

Directed by Eric Johnson, parts of the story happen in the aisles of the audience, as Kala'i Stern, playing a nonthreatening Ferdinand in friendly bullhorns, passes out large paper roses to people in the audience. Later, there's a conga line of sorts that leads all the rose holders onto the stage and behind the red curtain.

When the time is right, and Ferdinand and the boy matador, Duquito Danilo (Kimo Kaona) meet each other in the bull ring, two cast members pull down the curtain to reveal the missing audience — now tiered in rows of seats that rise up against the rear of the stage, ready to pelt their favorite combatant with red flowers.

Not only that, the curtain is floated over the entire center section of the theater and flown over audience heads to the back wall. It makes for a moment of wonderful fun and, like the falling chandelier in "Phantom of the Opera," provides something to anticipate and delight in even when you know its going to happen.

Costume designer Samantha Fromm also gets her innings with layers of ruffles, capes and colorful classic outlines. Choreographer Vanessa Chong has the entire cast pointing their toes and stomping their heels in flamenco steps, and Stern — who also directs the music — keeps everyone on key and in synch with the recorded accompaniment.

Despite being a big technical show, however, the play remains intimate at its core and delivers the message that being "true to yourself" can keep you "out standing in your field." That kind of wordplay also assures that the play stays bright and appealing.

In keeping with character demands, Stern and Kaona are laid-back, casual heroes, Pomai Lopez is charming playing Cochina the pig to Stern's bull, and R. Andrew Doan uses his wonderfully large and booming stage voice to fill out the role of Duque Dodo, the boy's willful father.

In the best sense of the word, "Ferdinand the Bull" is cute all over.

Joseph T. Rozmiarek has been reviewing theater performances in Hawai'i since 1973.