When Disney’s beloved musical Beauty and the Beast arrives at the historic Orpheum Theatre this June, local audiences will have an extra reason to cheer. Among the cast members traveling with the national touring production is a familiar face with deep roots in Lakeland and the greater Memphis community.
Benjamin Cheng, a Briarcrest Christian School graduate who was raised in Lakeland’s Oakwood neighborhood, is coming back to the Mid-South as a cast member in the national touring production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. For Cheng, performing on the stage of Memphis’ historic Orpheum Theatre is more than just another tour stop, it’s a meaningful return to the community where his passion for performing first began.
Like many young performers, Cheng’s passion for the stage started early. His family enrolled all three children in local theater programs, including New Day Children’s Theatre and the Bartlett Missoula Children’s Theatre program. It was during a Michael Jackson tribute performance that something clicked. Captivated by the power of dance and performance, Cheng began studying ballet, hip-hop, tap, and jazz at Dance Dynamics, laying the foundation for a future in the performing arts.
His talent quickly became evident on stages across the Mid-South. Cheng appeared in numerous productions at Theatre Memphis and Playhouse on the Square, taking on memorable roles such as the Artful Dodger in Oliver!, Gavroche in Les Misérables, and a role in Billy Elliot. Each performance helped shape the young actor and prepared him for even bigger opportunities ahead.
After graduating from high school, Cheng earned acceptance into the highly respected Musical Theatre program at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. His admission was an impressive accomplishment, as only 28 students were selected from approximately 1,500 applicants during his application year.
Today, Cheng is living the dream that began on local stages throughout the Memphis area. As a member of the national touring company of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, he is performing for audiences across the country while representing the community that helped launch his career.
His return to Memphis offers a special opportunity for family, friends, former teachers, and local theater supporters to see one of their own shine on a Broadway-caliber stage. It’s a reminder that big dreams can start in small communities and that local talent can reach extraordinary heights with dedication, passion, and support.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast will be performed at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis from June 2–7, 2026.
