A Chorus Line: Exclusive video interview with Baayork Lee (original Connie)

In an exclusive one-on-one interview, AussieTheatre’s Matt Holly chats with Baayork Lee about her experiences with the seminal work, A Chorus Line, set to open at Adelaide’s Festival Theatre on January 3, 2012 before transferring to Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne on February 4.

Very few people know that Michael Bennett’s groundbreaking musical, A Chorus Line, was the first ever show to require ‘triple threats’: performers who were strong in the three main areas of performance: Singing, dancing and acting.

Fewer still know that back in 1975, it was the first show to be developed in a ‘workshop’ situation. In what is described as the world’s first ‘reality show’ A Chorus Line is 2 hour, one act musical which tells the lives of every performer who has ever auditioned for a show. Based on taped discussions from dancers in New York, the show is about what we in the entertainment industry do for the love of our work.

Baayork Lee, Michael Bennett’s assistant played out her life story as Connie Wong in the original production of A Chorus Line on Broadway. Now, trained by Bennett himself, she travels the world mounting productions of this seminal musical. Matt Holly chats with her in an exclusive interview about the Australian cast, her connection with the show and her love of the stage. Keep on watching, and be prepared to listen and learn: this woman is royalty, and this show has helped make musical theatre what it is today.