Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” National Tour will make its way to El Paso’s Plaza Theatre June 10 to June 14, bringing iconic characters, elaborate costumes and a live theatrical experience for audiences of all ages.
Among those helping bring the story to life is Danny Gardner, who plays Lumière, the candelabra known for leading the number “Be Our Guest.” Gardner has already had an extensive musical theater career, making his Broadway debut as Lucky in “Dames at Sea” in 2015 and having roles in “Flying Over Sunset” at Lincoln Center and “A Christmas Carole” on Broadway.
For Gardner, stepping into the role has been years in the making.
“Like a lot of people my age, I grew up with the animated feature in the early 90s, and I loved it, but I specifically loved the character Lumiere and “Be Our Guest,” Gardner said. “It was kind of a show-stopping number, and I think ever since then I’ve kind of had this affinity for the character.”
Gardner said the role had long been on his list of dream characters to play, and was excited when the opportunity arose to audition for the touring production.
“The reason I love Lumière is because he inevitably gives up hope, but he also has so much love and enthusiasm, and for a lack of a better word, light that he brings into the world,” Gardner said. “And so, to step into that each night in front of audiences is really just wonderful.”
Before rehearsals began, Gardner did his research on the character by revisiting the animated film, watching the live-action adaptation, and studying previous productions from around the world. Still, he wanted his performance to feel authentic rather than an imitation of the character.
“It’s really just doing the research, and then kind of having the research, but not being tied to the research, trying to make it my own, and alive and interesting each night,” Gardner said.
The tour has also given Gardner opportunities beyond traditional theater stages, including performing as Lumière during Disney Night on “Dancing with the Stars.”
“Dancing with the Stars wasn’t even on my bucket list, only because I just never thought that would be something that could happen,” Gardner said. “To have these characters in these new experiences is really very exciting, not just for me, but for the audiences too.”
As the production travels across the country, Gardner has seen how the show introduces new audiences to live theater.
Danny Gardner as Lumière. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Photo by Evan Zimmerman.
“We have audience members that are very young that come in costume and are excited to be there at first live theatrical experience, but then we have older people who haven’t ever been to a show,” Gardner said. “I really think they’re blown away by the amount of spectacle that Disney brings, but also the art form itself and how it can move people and bring people together.”
Gardner believes that communal experience is one of the biggest differences between watching the story on screen and seeing it performed live.
“I think seeing live [shows], real people in these extraordinary costumes, and doing these extraordinary dance moves and singing these beautiful songs, there’s something different about that live experience than you get from a movie,” Gardner said.
He added that theater continues a tradition of storytelling that stretches back centuries while delivering themes that remain relevant today.
“It’s a story about not judging a book by its cover, but trusting that people can change, and learning about people before we dismiss them,” Gardner said. “I think that in itself is an important story to tell.”
Offstage, Gardner is sharing the experience with his family. His wife, Emily Larger, is part of the touring company, serving in the ensemble, as associate dance captain and as an understudy for Mrs. Potts and Madame de la Grande Bouche. The couple is also traveling with their infant son and their dog.
While balancing family life and a demanding touring schedule can be challenging, Gardner said it is something he would not trade.
“I feel very lucky and blessed that I get to tell this story all across the country, getting to do what I love,” Gardner said.
As “Beauty and the Beast” prepares to take the stage in El Paso, Gardner hopes audiences leave with more than memories of the film they grew up watching. Through live music, grand performances and a story centered on empathy and transformation, the production offers a chance to experience the Disney classic in a new way.
When the curtain rises at the Plaza Theatre, El Paso audiences will have the opportunity to see the tale as old as time brought to life by the national touring company. One that, according to Gardner, continues to bring people together night after night.
Ximena Cordero is the editor-in-chief for The Prospector and may be reached at [email protected] and on LinkedIn @ximenacordero