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Matthew Murphy. (c) Disney
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Matthew Murphy. (c) Disney
The tale as old as time returns in Disney’s 30th Anniversary production of Beauty and the Beast, arriving in Nashville on Nov. 4 with a renewed sense of sparkle and scale. The beloved musical brings the romance and grandeur that audiences know by heart, now elevated with spectacular new sets and dazzling costumes. The creative team honors the classic at every turn, while inviting theatergoers to discover fresh moments of magic that feel tailor made for the stage.
At the center of the spectacle is Lumiere, the suavely radiant right hand to the Beast. On this tour, actor and dancer Danny Gardner serves as the resident ringmaster of hospitality, igniting the crowd’s delight the moment the candelabra flickers to life. The story is one that shaped many of our childhoods, an Oscar winning and Tony Award nominated collection that includes “Be Our Guest” and the title ballad “Beauty and the Beast.” For Gardner, the assignment is more than nostalgia. It is about carrying a legacy, finding the physical comedy and heart, and delivering a performance that bridges generations sitting side by side in the audience.
Ahead of the run at TPAC, We chatted with Gardner about tap dance beginnings, a recent appearance on Dancing with the Stars, and how the production balances the best of the old with the thrill of the new and what Nashvillians can expect.
Nashville Lifestyles: How did you begin your journey within musical theatre?
Danny Gardner: I had a lot of energy when I was younger. My parents wanted to put me in something that would tire me out, so after school I did gymnastics for a semester. I was going to stop, but the studio owner said, “We are starting an all boys class, put him in that.” The joke was on my parents because they suddenly had a six year old running around the house in tap shoes. I loved it and stuck with it, starting with tap, then jazz and ballet, then voice lessons. I did community theatre and school shows through middle and high school, and eventually went to Ithaca College for musical theatre.
NL: Have you visited or performed in Nashville before? What are you most excited to do, or eat, while you are here?
DG: I have not, but I have wanted to for so long. Friends who have toured through or are from there are obsessed with the city. I have heard wonderful things, and we are there for two weeks instead of one, I just wish it were longer. I cannot wait to walk one of those streets with music everywhere. The only thing I can liken it to is New Orleans, there is this incredible live music vibe, and I am excited to experience Nashville’s version of that.
NL: While you are here, what can Nashville audiences expect from this production?
DG: The wonderful thing about Beauty and the Beast is that it is truly multigenerational. I grew up with the 1991 animated film. Now you have grandparents who showed it to their kids, and parents like me bringing our kids, it is a three generation experience. People know the words and the story, so the energy around “Be Our Guest” is amazing. What is exciting about this production is the all new choreography and dance arrangements, there are surprises I do not want to spoil. I think Nashville is in for the best of the beloved original and the thrill of something fresh.
NL: You appeared in the Dancing with the Stars Disney Night opening number last week. Did any moments from the tour make it onto the show?
DG: I have been a huge fan of Mandy Moore’s choreography. She really paid homage to the animated feature, and she invited me to bring the actual handle sticks I wear as Lumiere. She said, “I do not know how they work, tell me when you turn them on.” During rehearsal, I suggested moments for quick bursts, on here, off there, and we integrated that. The costume, hair, and makeup also came straight from our show. Getting to bring our version of Lumiere into the ballroom was really neat.
NL: What are the biggest physical or technical challenges of playing a walking chandelier?
DG: The costume is flame retardant and pretty heavy, people compare it to what NASCAR drivers wear. It is thick and quilted, so there was a learning curve, the movement demands, the weight, and dancing while managing the handle sticks. But it is so much fun. The first time I light the flames, I can hear whispers, “Is that real fire?” It is demanding, but the audience reaction makes it worth it.
NL: What makes Beauty and the Beast personally meaningful for you right now?
DG: It was one of the first movies I saw in a theater, which was special on its own. Experiencing it with my family, seeing my parents laugh and be moved, made it even more meaningful. I wore out the cassette tape. I also fell in love with Lumiere, he is so full of life, love, enthusiasm, and optimism. It is special to bring him to life, honor the Lumières who came before me, and bring my own spirit to it.
NL: How do you honor the classic while carving out something distinctly yours?
DG: Our director let me really find the physical comedy, and digging into the Lumiere and Cogsworth odd couple dynamic has been a blast, they get under each other’s skin but always with love. The stage production also emphasizes how these are real humans losing their humanity. The Beast has a line about how there is so little of him left, and that theme adds depth. The show endures because it reminds us not to judge a book by its cover and to watch a character fight to find his humanity, night after night, it is moving.
NL: You have played many roles, what makes this one special?
DG: The legacy. A friend said we are in the Disney canyon, playing legacy characters, and I had never thought of it that way. This is something I grew up on that brought joy to so many worldwide. I have never been in something so universally beloved. When I say I am in Beauty and the Beast and they ask who I play, as soon as I say “Lu,” their face lights up. Not to use the pun, but that is a special part of this job.
For Gardner, Lumiere is more than comic relief with a spark. He is a catalyst for courage, generosity, and joy, a reminder that hospitality can change a castle and a heart. Whether you already know these characters or are meeting them for the first time, this anniversary production invites everyone to the table. Consider this your invitation to be our guest.
Learn more about Disney’s upcoming Beauty and the Beast at TPAC here.