Colorful onstage reunion of favorite Disney characters

``Hey, Dopey!'' yelled a small fan in the audience as the Seven Dwarfs trooped onto the Radio City Music Hall stage in ``The Magical World of Disney.'' The greeting may have been lost in the vast reaches of the 6,000-seat auditorium. But the enthusiasm was not. Repeated applause greeted the Disney organization's splendidly colorful reunion of favorite characters from the worlds of animation and live-action films. Indeed, there is more frolicsome magic on the Music Hall stage than on its screen. The pleasures of the 40-minute spectacular compensate somewhat for the frightening aspects of ``Return to Oz,'' Disney's return to the world of L. Frank Baum, which follows the stage show.

``The Magical World of Disney'' is just that -- a fantastical guided tour by Mickey Mouse for the three youngsters on stage and the thousands in the audience. On the way, they encounter assorted adventures. They also meet Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Dumbo, Snow White, acrobats and clowns, and others too numerous to mention. Favorite songs accompany familiar re-creations.

Alligators, ostriches, and hippopotamuses trip the fantastic -- light and otherwise. Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey brings on the marching broomsticks from ``Fantasia.'' A 28-foot sectional caterpillar from ``Alice in Wonderland'' struts its stuff with 30 tapping feet! It is one of Alyja Kalinich's most ingenious costumes. Another is the spider-web cape for Malificent, a garment of fiber optics that stretches across the stage. The Charles Lisanby scenic effects include a Cinderella castle that seems to loom up out of a misty nowhere, a circus set, and the Red Queen's garden from ``Alice.''

``The Magical World of Disney'' boasts a cast of 82, including the Rockettes, who introduce the show with a snappy routine and appear in the finale. The other performers assume multiple roles and wear several costumes each. The live players get a slight breather from quick changes during the wide-screen montage of clips from Disney animated classics.

The show's creators have outdone themselves for an extravaganza of summer magic featuring some of the best-loved characters from the world of popular entertainment. Among the vital contributors are producer Dennis M. Despie, director-choreographer Barnette Ricci, musical director Jack Eskew, lighting designer Ken Billington, and Peter Foy, whose invisible wires support the principals on their periodic lighter-than-air flights. The result of the creative collaboration is a summertime jamboree.

On July 26, ``The Black Cauldron,'' Disney's 25th animated feature, will replace ``Return to Oz'' as the Music Hall's screen feature. The stage show remains. The double bills, which carry the overall title of ``Disney Summer Magic,'' will run through Aug. 29.