Flaming Hands: The Demands of a Broadway Role

Danny Gardner is currently captivating audiences as Lumiere in Disney's touring production of "Beauty and the Beast." A pivotal role, it demands the actor to perform with live fire attached to his hands, a spectacle managed by a dedicated special effects team. Gardner, who sees Lumiere as a lifelong dream role, navigates the challenges of performing with these fiery props, which include weights and butane tanks.

The production's prop masters meticulously prepare and maintain the "handlesticks," ensuring their safety and functionality. Gardner, a seasoned performer, undergoes a rigorous pre-show routine, including makeup, wig fitting, and extensive warm-ups, before strapping into the demanding costume and props. The show's demanding choreography and the added heat from the flames require constant hydration and assistance from the crew.

This touring production has evolved into a family endeavor for Gardner, accompanied by his wife, Emily Larger, and their young son. The challenging nature of the role, which requires Gardner to keep his hands incapacitated for most of the performance, has even led his understudies to acknowledge its difficulty. Despite the physical toll, Gardner finds moments of unexpected solitude and focus amidst the demanding schedule.