When the “Chorus Line” Stretches Across the Pond
By DAVID LeSHAY
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TDF: After two productions of A Chorus Line in two different countries, are you still learning things about Richie? What have you discovered recently that you didn’t know before?
James T. Lane: I thought the role was just singing and dancing before. But this time around, I leaned into the basketball star that he was in high school. A very popular and talented athlete. I really explored how important it was for him to get a scholarship to college. Maybe he was the first in his family to go, and then he left school to go after his dreams in New York City. It makes the audition that day so much more important. Sink or swim, because there’s no going back.
JTL: Bob Avian and Baayork Lee, who are Chorus Line veterans and our co-directors for this revival, have let us really discover new blocking and intentions this time around. It’s liberating. Not only was it their story back then, it’s every performer’s story today. So we get to live and breathe new life into it in our own way.
JTL: Pretty darn awesome! It’s a tremendous honor to be asked to come here, and I am enjoying the responsibility that has come with it. I heard there would be a London revival but didn’t think anything of it. The call came from out of the blue. I was on the first national tour of Jersey Boys, but I jumped at the chance to play the role once again. And it’s always been a dream of mine to work on the West End. And gypsies are gypsies, wherever you go. But these gypsies drive on the wrong side of the street!
JTL: The house is huge! I remind myself to just tell my story. And so many of the greats have performed on that stage: I imagine that Sammy Davis Jr, Nat King Cole, Judy, the whole gang are watching from the balcony. It keeps me inspired, and it keeps me hitting those high notes. None of us has gotten anywhere on our own. I am standing on the shoulders of those great stars.
TDF: How has it been living in London? Do you have any tips for us tourists when we come over?
JTL: I am soaking up this life on the other side of the pond. I haven’t adopted the British accent yet, but I’m working on it in private. Tips for tourists? Just look both ways before crossing the street!
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David LeShay is TDF’s Director of Communications
Photo by Manuel Harlan