For Fergie L. Philippe, joining the national tour of Beauty and the Beast isn’t just a role. It’s a full-circle moment.
“The first national tour I ever saw was ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ I was blown away. To think that I now get to be a part of that legacy is amazing,” Philippe said, recalling how the production shaped his earliest impressions of musical theater.
Originally released as Disney’s first musical adaptation, Beauty and the Beast holds a revered place in theater history. Philippe noted the show’s deeply rooted fanbase. “I think that there’s such a strong and beloved history attached to it and such reverence towards it. There is also something very magical about having the generational love applied to this: we are seeing people bringing their kids, who saw the original production or loved the movie growing up.”
“This is the first production of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ that Disney has produced in 25 years, and so to get to be a part of that full-circle nature of how families get to share this story with each other is super magical,” he said. “We can’t wait for Detroit audiences to ‘be our guest’!”
Philippe’s presence in the role carries significance beyond performance. As one of the few Black actors to lead a national Broadway tour in this capacity, his casting represents continued progress in theater representation. His interpretation of the Beast isn’t just a story of transformation, but of healing and emotional growth.
In previous interviews, Philippe has described the Beast’s emotional journey as layered and poignant. Though physically transformed by a curse, he said the character emotionally remained trapped. “It’s what makes him so relatable, and so human.” He also emphasized that this revival expands on earlier versions. Audiences “get every single thing you love about that movie, and then … you get more than that.”
Philippe’s gratitude for the role is evident. Reflecting on his past performances, he said returning to the stage in this production is especially moving. “I remember when I saw that show the first time being like, wow … I’d be lucky if I could even do something like that.”
As the tour arrives in Detroit, Philippe and the cast invite audiences to experience the magic of a reimagined classic. Through this revival, Beauty and the Beast continues to resonate with new energy and deeper meaning for audiences of all ages.
Performances will take place October 1 through 12 at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit. Tickets start at $40 and are available at BroadwayInDetroit.com. For more information about the show, visit BeautyAndTheBeastTheMusical.com.
About Post Author
