Interview: Broadway Choreographer Patdro Harris Directs THE FIRST NOEL at The Ensemble This Holiday Season!

THE FIRST NOEL opens at The Ensemble Theatre this week, offering a musical for the holidays that inspires nostalgia with a big nod to pop, gospel, and holiday tunes. And renowned choreographer Patdro Harris is directing.

Harris is a Helen Hays award winner who was the lead dancer and tour choreographer for Stevie Wonder's world tour, the choreographer for A RAISIN IN THE SUN on Broadway, and now the director-choreographer for THE FIRST NOEL. Lucky Houston!

So when Harris found time in his busy schedule to chat with me, I made sure to ask him the most random things. Wonder what his favorite animal is? Wonder no longer. Read below.

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If you could have anything to eat, right now, that's perfectly prepared, what would it be?

Patdro Harris: Hmm. [Pauses] Probably some grits with cheese. That would be wonderful. It's breakfast, and I'm hungry, so grits would be great.

If you could meet three famous people at a dinner party, who would they be?

Patdro Harris: Steven Spielberg, Michael Fitch, and Quincy Jones.

What do you miss most about your childhood?

Patdro Harris: My mom. She passed when I was twenty-one. Right before my first professional show.

If you had to do something other than dance, what profession would you choose?

Patdro Harris: I would be in marketing. Coming up with slogans, names of companies. I like the aspect of going and solving a puzzle while you're teaching someone about something.

Where is your favorite place to be?

Patdro Harris: Well, I'm away from my wife, so any place with her would be wonderful. Some place relaxing with my wife. A good movie with my wife - that would be wonderful.

If you could live in any foreign country for a year, where would you go?

Patdro Harris: Probably Japan. Touring there with Stevie (Wonder) and a couple other bands I made a lot of Japanese friends. I would like to go there, see my friends, work on my Japanese.

Which animal do you most connect with?

Patdro Harris: A dog. They're loyal, protective, they're honest, they're right there with you.

THE FIRST NOEL opens November 17 and runs through December 30 at The Ensemble Theatre. For tickets, please visit ensemblehouston.org.

Photo Credit: Kufunya Kail

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