PORT PERRY -- Take it from the Beast himself, Beauty and the Beast is a popular and much-loved story because "there's something there for everyone.

"It really speaks to all age groups and is a beautiful love story to show people who come through so much and find love in the end," says actor Carlos Finch.

He plays the Beast in Cadenza Productions' presentation of the Disney classic, running Thursday to Saturday evenings from July 2 through July 18, with 2 p.m. matinees on July 5 and 12.

Finch, who's been acting since elementary school, says to get into the character he's had to imagine how Beast got to the place he's at in the play, dwelling on a lot of dark feelings before he takes the stage while his fellow actors are joking and trying to stay loose.

At the other end of the experience spectrum, eight-year-old Darren Bell has never been on a theatre stage. But he's looking to make the most of his first appearance and hopes to continue acting after Beauty and the Beast.

"I think it's going to be very exciting ... and I think that I'll be good at acting and probably be in shows," he says. "I'm very energetic and ready to get things going and like to express my feelings."

Darren plays Chip the teacup and likes the fact there's singing involved.

"He has got so much energy," says Rita Jackson, who plays Chip's mom, Mrs. Potts, the maid in Beast's castle. "He's so excited to be on stage and do his role."

A community theatre veteran of 10 or so years, she says audience members are able to get behind some of the characters, root against others and relate to what one or more of them are going through.

"It's just a lot of fun stuff happening on stage," Jackson says.

As the villain in the tale, the character we love to hate, Jeremy Krys plays Gaston, whom he describes as conceited and vain.

"I think he thinks the world revolves around him," he says.

A rookie on the theatre stage, Krys's acting experience consists of playing a blacksmith at a living history museum. He's always loved Beauty and the Beast because it has a nice mix of violence and romance, appealing to both sexes.

The main theme in the work is not judging a book by its cover, that it's what inside that counts, Finch notes, adding it's no coincidence Belle loves reading books. The Beast himself has been transformed from a handsome prince into an ugly Beast because he's repulsed by a woman's appearance, a beautiful enchantress in disguise.

Belle is played by producer Mallory McGrath. Carey Nicholson is the director/choreographer.

Beauty and the Beast is performed at Town Hall 1873, 302 Queen St., Port Perry. Tickets are $21 each, available by phone or in person at META4 Contemporary Craft Gallery, 200 Queen St. The number is 905-985-2435.