‘Nashville’ Stars Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen Do Broadway in ABC Special
Nashville stars Clare Bowen (Scarlett) and Sam Palladio (Gunnar) are leaving Music City for the bright lights of Broadway — temporarily. The pair will sing the title song from the Disney film-turned Broadway hit Beauty and the Beast during an ABC behind-the-scenes special about the eight musicals Disney has taken to the Great White Way. (Watch the performance above.)
The producers of Backstage With Disney on Broadway: Celebrating 20 Years told the singers appearing on the special that they were looking for performers who could offer unexpected interpretations of the familiar tunes. Bowen says she rearranged a few things to come up with the stripped-down version of the song she and Palladio performed.
“I wanted to make it my own, and I think that’s important when you’re doing a tribute,” Bowen told the Hollywood Reporter (via Billboard).
A native of Australia, Bowen confessed to being a lifelong Beauty and the Beast fan, noting that her parents would read the classic fairytale to her as a child.
“That song in particular, it meant a lot to me growing up,” she says. “It’s really a beautiful story… and the accessibility of the characters and the music is just so beautiful.”
“Beauty and the Best” was sung by Broadway veteran Angela Lansbury in the 1991 animated film, and also popularized by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson, who appeared on the film’s soundtrack.
Backstage With Disney on Broadway: Celebrating 20 Years, which will also include songs from The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Newsies, Aladdin and more, airs Sunday, December 21st, at 7 p.m. ET on ABC. Hosted by Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson, the special features performances from Elton John, Toni Braxton and others.