It's a tale as old as time, but this time, it's going to be told on ice.

And unlike the Disney production, "Beauty and the Beast On Ice," which opened Wednesday and runs through Sunday, adheres more to the traditional European fairy tale.

That's because the performers are Russian Ice Stars, some of the best skaters in the world.

What also separates this production from other ice shows are the acrobatics. The 20-plus skaters take their choreography cue from Italian ballet dancer Giuseppe Arena, who includes pyrotechnics, juggling and flying routines in "The Dance of the Magic Table" act.

One of the show's main attractions is the Beast. At 6-feet-8, Andrey Chuvilyaev is already an imposing figure. Add skates and he's Shaq-like imposing.

Through his translator via e-mail, Chuvilyaev said the role presents certain difficulties for someone of his stature.

"The biggest challenge has always been to perform the jumps," he said. "While jumping I have to coordinate my body and control it with extra care in order not to lose the balance and move of the axis, whereas people of medium height do not find it difficult.

"On the other side, my physical build helps me to do such pair skating elements as lifts, throw jumps and spins rather easily. As I have always been tall and strong, I do not know what it is like to be of average height in ice skating."

Chuvilyaev's start in skating began when his elder sister attended ice skating lessons. To make their life easier, his parents sent him to the neighborhood rink, too. Even today, when people meet him for the first time they are initially shocked, he said. But "they get used to me."

Along with Irina Tkachuk as Belle, the Beast with his Beauty will glide across the ice performing spins and lifts. "The Waltz of the Roses" promises to be a number of romance and soft sensuality.

The show is family-friendly for all ages.