5Q: Beauty and the Beast — Javier Ignacio

One of the highest-grossing Broadway shows of all time makes its triumphant return to the Orpheum stage. Disney’s beloved classic “Beauty and the Beast” is set to enchant local audiences once again as the hit Broadway musical arrives in town for a limited run. Featuring all the timeless songs you know and love — along with new dazzling costumes and breathtaking sets — this spectacular production brings the “tale as old as time” to life on stage like never before.

Taking on the role of the lovable, tightly wound clock, Cogsworth, is Javier Ignacio. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, and raised in Wichita, Kansas, Ignacio’s early immersion in music and theater set the foundation for his career. After honing his craft at Music Theatre Wichita and Wichita State University, he made his way to New York City, where his dedication to storytelling and performance has continued to shine. As an immigrant and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Ignacio infuses Cogsworth with comedic timing and charm that reflects his own passion for living — and performing — with authenticity.

This story has been around for decades, with both the film and Broadway adaptations. What makes this tour production unmissable?

It’s true, audiences have loved this story for years, and while we certainly honor the timeless story and vision of the original, we also had the opportunity to create brand new moments for this production. Linda Woolverton (who wrote the animated film and Broadway adaptation) has crafted a few new scenes; Matt West (OG choreographer and now director/choreographer to this production) has created new choreography and extended dance sequences for “Gaston” and “Be Our Guest”! You also don’t wanna miss a chance to listen to this music live with the full orchestra and experience the spectacle that is Disney Theatrical — the set, the costumes … It is truly magical!

Cogsworth has a meticulous nature and, at least initially, an unwavering dedication to order and the rules, essentially the “by the book” counterpart to the more eccentric Lumiere. What’s your take on their relationship?

It is the most beautiful partnership — friends who accept, love and support each other, despite their differences, through an incredibly difficult time. I think Cogsworth at times wishes he could be as “impulsive” or “care-free” or “suave” as Lumiere, and the same might be true from Lumiere’s perspective. It is the perfect example of “our differences make us stronger” presented in a hilarious comedy duo, and it is an honor to bring them to life with Danny Gardner (Lumiere) at my side.

How did you and Danny Gardner (Lumiere) develop your on-stage partnership? How did you approach making these iconic characters your own while adding to their legacy?

For starters, we are both huge fans of the original film! Danny talks about wearing out the cassette tape as a kid, listening to “Be Our Guest”! Similarly, my family had all of the Disney Classics on VHS (many of which were dubbed into Spanish), and my brother and I would duet all of the songs. Our mutual love for these characters was the best place to begin! The rest came so naturally, always checking in, sharing ideas and finding the humanity in these characters. More than looking for ways to insert “myself” into Cogsworth, it was more about realizing how similar we are. I also see much of Lumiere in Danny’s personality — he is so charming and loves to tell a good joke!

You’ve said that you were a Disney kid, but as an immigrant, your exposure was through either dubbed versions or interpreting messages that “transcend language” on the English versions, and that Beauty and the Beast was the first musical national tour that you saw in your hometown. What is it like now, as an adult, to be part of the Disney magic and join this cast?

To say it’s a dream come true is an understatement. I truly feel so fortunate to be a part of the legacy of this show. As we exit the stage door every night, we are greeted by audience members celebrating birthdays, anniversaries or simply wanting to share this experience with their loved ones. Most of them have a specific memory or connection to “Beauty and the Beast.” Perhaps it was the first Broadway show they saw, or they loved the movie as a child and now want to share it with their kids. The energy is undeniable!

You’ve also mentioned before how excited you are to bring some representation to this role. What does it mean to you to be able to bring your identities to the stage with a Disney production in a role like Cogsworth?

It’s interesting; in our last city, there was a man at the stage door who asked me (in Spanish): “¿Te llamas Javier? ¿De dónde eres?” (Your name is Javier? Where are you from?). As we continued to chat and he learned I was the only Latino in the cast, he shook my hand with pride and said: “¡Eso! ¡Que orgullo!” (Wow! So proud of you!). Moments like that are a reminder of how important and how special this moment really is — especially in today’s climate.

You’re returning to Minneapolis after appearing in last season’s Company. Are there any places you’re hoping to check out while you’re in Minnesota that you didn’t get to last time?

I’m definitely planning to do some hiking (checking out the falls at some point), the George Floyd memorial and perhaps another visit to the Mall of America!