BWW Interviews: On The LINE: Donna Driver of Keeton Theatre's A CHORUS LINE

Director Kate Adams-Johnson, aka Nashville's busiest choreographer, is putting yet another cast through its paces in preparation for yet another opening night. Only this time, she's serious. Very serious. The show she's helming this time, you see, is every dancer's holy grail: A Chorus Line.

 "In an empty theatre, on a bare stage, casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. For 17 dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It's what they've worked for - with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives. It's the one opportunity to do what they've always dreamed -- to have the chance to dance. This is A Chorus Line the musical for everyone who's ever had a dream and put it all on the line. Winner of nine Tony Awards, including "Best Musical" and the Pulitzer Prize for drama, this singular sensation is the longest-running American Broadway musical ever," reads publicity for the upcoming production.

In the cast, you'll find a blending of familiar faces and newcomers. During the run-up to the show's June 9 opening night, we'll introduce you to Kate's cast - and, as you'll see, some of them have much to learn about being interviewed by "Nashville's favorite theater critic." Next up is Donna "The Pride of Irvine" Driver...obviously, this ain't her first time at the rodeo...

Just the facts, ma'am: What's your name? Your hometown? Your school? My name is Donna Driver. I'm from Irvine, California. My schools all had Irvine in the name: Irvine High School, University of California, Irvine. I have a BA in Theatre Arts. Right after graduating from college, I moved to Los Angeles. Actually, I went to the very edge of L.A. at first, sharing a fabulous apartment in Long Beach with my now-famous set designer friend from high school, Steve Bass (He does the sets for the Tonys and Academy Awards, among other big shows). When I moved to Hollywood, proper, the décor went substantially downhill.  I lived the bohemian actor's life for many years out there as I pursued my dream of making a living as a performer by piecing together a lot of different kinds of acting, singing, writing and teaching jobs. Then I got married for the first time, had a baby, moved here to Tennessee, got divorced and decided to stay because I like it better here. I've lived in Nashville for eight years now.

What shows have you done? (If I gave you a bad review, I should point out I have a drinking problem.) I've done quite a few shows over the years. There are those big musicals everyone knows like Peter Pan (school - Peter, professional - Wendy), How to Succeed in Business, Funny Thing... Forum, It's A Wonderful Life, Sound of Music.  I made more money doing shows no one has ever heard of, like years performing for Mystery Café dinner shows, and touring productions of children's theater.  I've done a handful of dramas as well.  I got into community theater up in Gallatin when I first moved to Tennessee and played Grace in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Since then, I've done about two to four shows a year, most of which were either at the Madison Art Center with my dear friend Jane Kelley Watt, or at the Larry Keeton Theatre.  I'm particularly fond of the dinner theater in Donelson, because I met my husband Kevin Driver during my first show there (as Irene Mulloy in Hello, Dolly). We've really enjoyed doing shows there together (and with our kids when possible) like Annie Get Your Gun, Scattered Smothered and Covered, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Seussical, Meet Me in St. Louis, among others.  We are always treated like family there, and it's a neat feeling when the audience members remember us from show to show.

What character do you play in A Chorus Line? I play Sheila in A Chorus Line. This has been a fun change of pace for me, because I've been playing a lot of sweet mom types these days. Sheila is definitely not sweet. I'm having fun finding my sassy side.

She's about as far away as you can get from Mrs. Smith in Meet Me in St. Louis. What's the biggest challenge to doing this show? The biggest challenge is doing the show without my husband and being away from my family so much. We are really close, and it is hard to leave them every evening to go to rehearsal. This show isn't appropriate for my almost ten year old, so she can't come see it. That makes it harder too, because she has always been my little theater baby, at every rehearsal and helping me learn my lines. Another big challenge is doing a show at this time of year. My girls have recitals and end of the year school projects. I usually don't join a show if I have conflicts, and this time I've had a few. It's hard to juggle it all.

What was your first exposure to A Chorus Line? My first exposure to A Chorus Line was being cast in it at Saddleback Summer Stock in California in (ready?) 1989. I had the part of Kristine. I've misplaced my photo albums in my latest move, or I'd show you the pictures to prove it. I've subsequently seen the show in two touring productions, including last spring at TPAC.

That guy who played Zach had a butt you could serve tea off of, didn't he? What's the rehearsal process been like for you thus far? I'm having a lot of fun at rehearsals.  It's hard, but I've been taking dance every Saturday with Kate for a year and half now, so I'm used to her teaching style. I'm not as flexible as the other girls, so I feel like I want to make up for that by being as sharp with the moves as I can. The girls who are the "cut dancers" are actually way better dancers than me, so I feel like I've really got to work hard to prove why Sheila makes it to the line. I've worked with most of the cast members before, and it's always a great joy to be in that environment. Melissa Silengo, in particular, is one of my favorite people, and I'm so excited I get to sing "At the Ballet" with her.

Dancing With the Stars or So You Think You Can Dance? So You Think You Can Dance. We are big fans of that show at home and set our DVRs for it. I sit with my mouth agape all the time, and there have been many times when I've cried because the dancing is so exquisite. On the other hand, I love Dancing With the Stars because my ex-husband works on that show (and therefore my custody checks are always on time.)  So, those of you who watch it, keep right on watching, please.

Where were you in 1976 when A Chorus Line premiered on Broadway? Ah, this is a trick question. Not fair, I tell you. I may be wrong here, but I think I am the only cast member who was alive when this show came out. I am pleased to say that I was still too young to be allowed to see it.  In 1976 I was in third grade, taking dance lessons regularly. I stared singing lessons a year later. I recall being a big fan of the movie Ice Castles but being frustrated because I couldn't ice skate, but I would do ballet in my backyard and make believe I was ice skating.

Don't tell Erin Spencer or those two guys I've already interviewed (Andy Mann and Chad Ray: you're really my favorites), but you're now my favorite among the cast, although I was a freshman in college in 1976. What's your favorite song from the score? My favorite song is "Music and the Mirror" that Cassie sings. I really identify with her.  I lived the life she talks about in California - the dumb auditions and stupid parts that paid a bill but are best forgotten.  I feel her desire to perform deep in my gut. I want to keep performing as long as people will let me. I really can't believe that I get to be in this show as a dancer. I never thought I'd be dancing like this in a show again.

Just off the top of my head, one more question, no more loaded than any of the others: Who's your favorite theater critic? Well, you, of course. I just wish you'd seen Annie Get Your Gun when I'd fully recovered from my laryngitis. I think you might have liked it better.  

• A Chorus Line. Directed and choreographed by Kate Adams-Johnson. Presented by The Larry Keeton Theatre, 108 Donelson Pike, Nashville. June 9-25. Evening shows are at 7:00 p.m., Seating for dinner at 6:00 p.m. Matinee shows are at 2:00 p.m., Seating for lunch at 1:00 p.m. Show tickets: $25.00 with a $1.00 ticketing fee. Show only tickets: $20.00 Special Thursday Patron's Special: $10.00 show only tickets Tickets are available through www.ticketsnashville.com or by calling (615) 883-8375. For more details, visit the company website at www.thelarrykeetontheatre.org.

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