With the return of Disney’s “Beauty and The Beast” to Broadway, Memphis will soon behold the African-American actor and puppeteer who will interpret the lead role of Beast in the latest touring production.
The Orpheum Theatre will host “Beauty and the Beast,” its final show of the 2025-2026 season, June 2-7. The production returns after a 25-year hiatus and features members of the original creative team along with a significant addition. The Beast will be played by Fergie L. Philippe, the first African-American in the U.S. to assume the role.
“I feel like I was made for this role,” said Philippe. “My friends always say, ‘I feel like I’m just watching you,’ and that’s the greatest compliment you can get.”
The Memphis production is more than just another stop on a national tour.
It represents a return to a city he describes as culturally rich and deeply resonant. He previously visited Memphis in 2018 while touring with “Hamilton,” an experience that left a lasting impression.
“I love Memphis, it’s such a great city,” Philippe said in a recent interview. “Obviously the food, the music, the history, it’s all so special.”
Though his moments off stage were brief, Philippe recalled scenes that spoke to the soul of the city. A simple walk revealed the Lorraine Motel and the National Civil Rights Museum, which pulled on his heart strings.
“I immediately became emotional just being outside,” he said. “There’s a beauty to the city that’s undeniable.”
That appreciation for culture and history is something Philippe carries with him, shaped by experiences beyond the stage. He cited a visit to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he encountered the legacy of Tulsa Race Massacre and the once-thriving Black Wall Street. Staying in a hotel directly across from a museum dedicated to that history left a profound impact.
“It’s such a gift to be a touring artist, to be immersed in the culture in so many cities,” Philippe said. “I get to be involved in these cities with incredibly rich history,” which he said is important to him and his work.
Philippe’s journey into the performing arts began early and he credits childhood influences for sparking his passion. “I grew up in Miami, Florida, and hilariously, I came to acting through puppetry,” he said, referencing the inspiration he drew from Sesame Street.
What began as fascination soon evolved into a calling. Philippe remembers his first performance vividly, a moment that confirmed his path, and a teacher who supported him from the start, encouraging him to stay on the path he had begun to pursue at just 11 years old.
His commitment to the craft deepened through formal training at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center led by Marshall L. Davis Sr. The organization, serving the Miami community since the 1970s, provided Philippe with both artistic grounding and cultural context.
As he grew older, his artistic interests expanded. Discovering theater and music as a teenager at the New World School of the Arts, a performing arts high school, opened new creative avenues, blending storytelling, song and performance into one cohesive art form.
“Musical theater popped up, and it was this massive combination of all the things I loved,” said Philippe. “It’s been a part of my life since then.”
After high school, Philippe earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in musical theatre from Elon University in North Carolina. Then it was straight to New York, where he joined a touring production almost immediately. A few years later, Philippe learned of the Beast opportunity while he was working on the revival of “Camelot” at Lincoln Center.
“A friend in “Alladin” told me it was rumored that they were bringing ‘Beauty and the Beast’ back,” said Philippe. “Beast is the dream role!”
Less than a year later, he auditioned and soon landed the role. He said they weren’t exactly looking for his type, but the role was meant for him. Philippe has been playing Beast since July 2025.
As a Black performer navigating spaces that have not always been inclusive, Philippe, 31, understands the significance of representation, particularly in productions like “Beauty and the Beast,” which continue to reach diverse audiences across the country.
“I’m blown away at how little I’ve spoken about my race in this role … it actually hasn’t come up a lot,” said Philippe. “I think it speaks to the power of a Disney story; it supersedes race and does a great job of connecting families in meaningful ways.”
Philippe is, however, excited about how this role positions him as an inspiration to Black boys and opens the conversation about Black males’ ability to open up and show emotions and vulnerability.
“Men need to see this, too,” he said. “We are essential to this story about acceptance and redemption … and being able to come back from a bad place. I think it’s a profound experience.”
For show tickets and more information, visit https://www.orpheum-memphis.com/
