BWW Interviews: On the LINE with Jessica Higgins of Keeton's A CHORUS LINE

Director/choreographer Kate Adams-Johnson, aka Nashville theater's busiest woman, pulled out all the stops as she was putting yet another cast through the paces that led up to yet another opening night (Thursday, June 9). Only this time, she was serious. Very serious. The show she helmed for this particular opening night, you see, was 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, there's a blend familiar faces from local Theater Productions and a whole slew of newcomers. During the run-up to the show's opening night, we introduced you to members of Kate's cast - and now that the show is up and running, we're happy to introduce you to another cast member...Jessica Higgins...

Here's what I wrote about Jessi in my review of A Chorus Line: "Chad Ray and Jessica Higgins make a very believable Al and Kristine, although pretending she can't sing has to be hard work for the talentEd Higgins."

Where did you grow up, Jessi, and where do you go to school? My name is Jessi Higgins. I was born and raised right here in Nashville. I'm currently a student at Tulane University in New Orleans.

What shows have you done? I started doing community theater shows in Nashville when I was 14 and I was also in couple of shows while at school. I've been in The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), Annie, done Oliver! twice (Nancy, ensemble) Fiddler on the Roof, Seussical (Bird Girl), Jekyll and Hyde (Emma), White Christmas,  A Christmas Carol and Little Miss Firecracker Contest. Also in New Orleans, I danced in three Mardi Gras parades (Krewes Rex, Thoth, and D'etat) and in the New Orleans Saints Super Bowl Parade.

What character do you play in A Chorus Line? I play Kristine, the character who can't sing. I've never really gotten a chance to play a funny character, but I love it! Also, I get to sing as badly as I want to which is so much fun!

What's the biggest challenge to doing this show? This has actually been the most stress free show I've ever done. It's a dancing show and I am a dancer. It's something I've been doing since age 2 and I've always felt completely comfortable and confident in dance. Also, I get to go on stage and have fun with my character. She's supposed to be nervous and scatter-brained. I love that I get to be a little crazy with her and don't even have to worry about sounding pretty when I sing.

What was your first exposure to A Chorus Line? Up until this production, I'd never seen the movie or a full production of the show. A couple of years ago, I came across some of the numbers on YouTube and thought some were hilarious and some were completely boring. I think that was because I never watched the show all the way through. Now I find myself singing each song over and over again throughout the day. I can't get them out of my head!

What's the rehearsal process been like for you thus far? The rehearsal process has been wonderful! The entire cast is devoted, focused and hard-working. Everyone is really giving everything they have to learn the songs and choreography and we're constantly coming in early or staying late to work on things. Kate and Ginger pushed us right from the very beginning. It's been an exhausting experience, but that's what's needed to pull this show off.

Dancing With the Stars or So You Think You Can Dance? That's not even a option for me. It's So You Think You Can Dance all the way. I watched one episode of Dancing with the Stars and hated it. SYTYCD really celebrates dancers and all the work they do and everything they give for the art. It incorporates all styles of dance and the choreography is usually exciting, dynamic, and inspiring. It's a wonderful show!

Where were you in 1976 when A Chorus Line premiered on Broadway? I wasn't even born yet. I guess I was just waiting up in Heaven for my turn to come down and dance!

What's your favorite song from the score? My favorite song is definitely "What I did for Love". I cry every time we sing it. For me, this song is the heart of the show. It speaks about what it really means to be a passionate performer. We all go through dance classes, auditions, rehearsals, tough childhoods, broken homes. Every experience that a performer has brings that much more depth to their art. It makes the escape into the fantastic world of theater more meaningful and magical. What this song says is that even though we give so much, our dreams of dancing or singing or acting can be taken from us so quickly, but it's all worth it if performing is really what you love to do. It really applies to everything. You can love dance, another person, your family, your friends, your career. This song is about following your dream, whatever it is, not holding back, not having regret, and fully loving and enjoying every minute of it no matter how long you have.

Who's you favorite theater critic? Hmmmmm...Jeffrey Ellis!

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 show-only tickets: $11.00 available throughout the remainder of the show's run. Tickets are available through www.ticketsnashville.com or by calling (615) 883-8375. For more details, visit the company website at www.thelarrykeetontheatre.org.

 

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.