Being serenaded by singing silverware is not necessarily how I like to spend a summer Sunday evening.

(The next tenant at the Lunt-Fontanne, the screen-to-stage adaptation of DisneysThe Little Mermaid, begins previews Nov. From the first notes of the overture, the atmosphere was electric.

Every entrance got a hand.

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Credit: Bruce Glikas/STQ

And my what a guy, that Gaston!

), and a seemingly endless supply of champagne.

It was the perfect first show for young theatergoers.

And it even had enough charms to satisfy the 10-and-over crowd.

After all, who among us can resist a dancing sugar bowl?

addCredit(Beauty and the Beast: Bruce Glikas/STQ)