READING, Pa. – A Reading native’s love of dancing has taken him to Broadway and beyond.
He’s currently touring as part of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, which comes to Philadelphia next month.
“I grew up right across the street from City Park,” said Danny Gardner, actor.
Originally from Reading, Gardner’s talents took him to all the way to Broadway.
“I started tap dancing when I was six years old. But it has not been just a straight line. As we all know, life and success are not a straight line. There are a lot of ups and downs,” he said.
Gardner is now featured as Lumiere in a national touring production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, coming to Philadelphia’s Academy of Music from February 11th to the 22nd.
“It is an amazing opportunity but also a challenging opportunity,” explained Gardner.
He holds six-and-a-half pound candles in each hand while tap dancing.
“I said there has to be another way, can they make them out of styrofoam for the number? And they said, no, you light them, like it’s actual live flame, and you light them during the number. And I said, ‘Oh, that’s right’.”
The play tells a story as old as time.
“However, I do think it’s a story that needs to be told again, because at the base of the show is, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover,” Gardner said.
Gardner’s wife Emily is also in the show. They travel from city to city in their Subaru Forester with their infant son and dog.
Additionally, a group of Reading students will have a chance to see the show and meet Gardner.
“I’m just excited to, as much as I can just say, follow your dreams and also just tell them that it’s hard work,” he said.
Those who helped shape Gardner’s path to success will also be in the crowd.
“My original dance studio, they have a bus from Reading and they’re bringing up a bunch of my family. I think it’s their first time seeing me perform in a show like this. So that’s really exciting,” added Gardner.