By Gwen Pierce
For actor Fergie Philippe, stepping into the role of the Beast each night is more than putting on a costume. It is the fulfillment of a dream years in the making.
“Beast was always one of those roles,” Philippe said during a recent interview with The Chocolate Voice. “It was a dream role of mine. I’ve been a big Disney fan my whole life and I always hoped I would get the chance to work with Disney someday.”
That dream is now a reality as Philippe stars in Disney’s reimagined touring production of Beauty and the Beast, coming to San Diego this July through Broadway San Diego.
But audiences should not expect a simple recreation of the production they remember from the 1990s.
According to Philippe, this version offers all of the beloved songs and familiar moments fans expect, while adding new layers to characters audiences have known for decades.
“You get all the great songs and moments you’ve always known and loved,” he explained. “But you also get bonus features throughout the show — things you haven’t expected before. It’s both nostalgic and new at the same time.”
One of the biggest surprises for Philippe came during rehearsals when the original Broadway creative team encouraged him to explore the Beast’s humor.
“I really found my way into his character through his humor,” he said. “For me, it became the connective tissue between his animalistic qualities and the human he is underneath.”
That humanity is something Philippe hopes audiences carry with them long after the curtain falls.
“I hope people leave understanding that change is possible,” he said. “The Beast’s redemption arc is one of the things I love most about the character. We don’t always see examples, especially in children’s media, of men going from being destructive to becoming people of repair.”
Bringing that transformation to life each night is no small feat.
Philippe undergoes approximately 45 minutes of costume, makeup, and wig preparation before every performance. By the time he steps on stage, he is carrying an additional 35 to 40 pounds of costume pieces and accessories.
“It gets hot,” he laughed. “It gets real hot.”
The role also required him to develop an entirely new physical vocabulary.
“I had to find movements that showed both his animal side and his human side and then find the middle ground between the two,” he explained. “It’s basically a cardio workout for the entire show.”
Fortunately, previous roles in productions such as Hamilton and Camelot helped prepare him for the demands of the role.
Still, beyond the physical challenge and theatrical spectacle, Philippe says the most meaningful part of playing the Beast has nothing to do with costumes or choreography.
For him, it is about what it represents offstage.
“The thing that never ceases to help me understand the impact of what I’m doing is meeting a little Black boy at the stage door who sees me and realizes, ‘That can be me,’” he said.
Representation in children’s entertainment, Philippe says, is not simply about visibility — it is about possibility.
As a writer and puppeteer passionate about children’s media, he believes representation shapes how children see themselves and their futures.
“When we show children these images at that age, it no longer becomes the exception — it becomes the standard.”
He hopes every child leaves the theater believing there are no limits on what they can become.
“The idea that I could be that simply by existing is profound,” he said.
That message resonates far beyond individual moments. Philippe sees it reflected in audiences night after night.
Many parents attending the show first experienced Beauty and the Beast as children themselves during earlier Broadway productions. Now, they are returning with their own children — and sometimes grandchildren — to share the story together.
“It’s universal. It’s evergreen,” Philippe said. “There’s something really beautiful about seeing grandparents, parents, and children all sharing this story together.”
The production has been met with sold-out performances and enthusiastic audiences across the country, underscoring the show’s enduring appeal.
“We knew people loved the show,” Philippe said. “But we weren’t prepared for just how much audiences were hungry for it.”
As the production arrives in San Diego, Philippe hopes audiences leave carrying a bit of that Disney magic with them.
“I’m a huge fan of the Disney parks, and our show feels like spending two-and-a-half hours inside a Disney park experience,” he said. “You get to feel like a kid again.”
But for Philippe, the most powerful magic is simpler than spectacle or nostalgia.
It is found in the quiet moment after the show — at the stage door — when a child sees possibility reflected back at them.
That, he says, is the transformation that matters most.
Performances begin on Tuesday, July 7, through Sunday July 12, for 1 week, Through Sunday, July 12 at Civic Theatre
For tickets visit BroadwaySD.Com