On the LINE: Erin Spencer from Keeton Theatre's A CHORUS LINE

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

The company's publicity tells us: "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."

Kate's cast is a blending of familiar faces and newcomers and so over the next few weeks, you'll get to know the  members of The Keeton Theatre's cast - as you'll see, some of them have much to learn about being interviewed by "Nashville's favorite theater critic." Next up is Erin Spencer...who should know the drill by now...

Dear, sweet, wonderful and beautiful Erin (my favorite dancer ever - don't tell anyone else in your show, okay?) what are some of the shows you've done? Shows that I have done would be Footloose, Guys and Dolls, Fame, Little Shop of Horrors, Swing!, All Shook Up, White Christmas, and also It's A Wonderful Life, and the Man Who Came to Dinner! They were all done here in Nashville!

And who are you playing in A Chorus Line? I play Laurie, Zach's Assistant - originally, this character is Larry, but can played as a girl - maybe I should have just slapped on a male costume and put my hair up??

Well, that would be interesting...but seriously, what makes this show really appeal to you? For me personally, it's playing this particular character. There's not a lot said about her throughout the show- so I've had to really go further into research to figure out more about her. I've come to realize that I do have a lot in common with her, and there are some secrets we both share, I believe, and that helps me to fully submerge into being her. It's a more complex role than a lot of people realize.

What was your first A Chorus Line experience, my dear? I actually first saw the show through the movie version of it when I was a lot younger, but I've been hearing the music for as long as I can remember! The first time I saw it on Broadway was at my internship for Broadway Dance Center in NYC in 2008! We saw the revival cast of it on Broadway, with Mario Lopez playing Zach. The girl who played Judy Turner - her name is Heather Parcells - she taught one of our master classes (Where, what do ya know? She taught us the opening number routine!) and ended up letting us come backstage after the show for a tour of the theatre and let us go onstage and dance around on the stage- at least I can truly say I've literally danced on a Broadway stage! Still have the picture on my phone and everything!

So how are rehearsals going so far? Is Kate really cracking the whip? Anyone thrown any diva fits yet? I've loved the rehearsal process - I love diving into a show with a tight schedule and learning it all fast. As the dance captain of the show, I've already been working with people on the choreography, and that's one of my biggest passions is helping people become better dancers, and picking on their details to make them look even better than before! I also just love the choreography in this show so it's just been inspiring to actually be dancing it!

So You Think You Can Dance or Dancing With the Stars? Definitely So You Think You Can Dance! DUH! Mia Michaels, for one thing, is one of my idols - but this show is about real dancers, who are thoroughly challenged in all areas of dance, and are truly pushed to be versatile, which I think is just so incredibly important to be able to do as an artist. It's always inspired me with all the choreography that choreographers have come on there and done, as well as just watching those dancers improve week after week! It's an unbelievably amazing show.

What were you doing in 1976? You know, when A Chorus Line debuted on Broadway... Haha! Man, I wasn't even born yet! I wouldn't be born until ten years later! But man, it would have been incredible to have been around when it premiered!

You used to be my favorite, Erin. So, not that I really care or anything, but what's your favorite song from the show? Definitely "Sing!" For me, folks? Hello?! We all know singing is not my strength - dance is - and every word of that song rings completely true to my heart and my real life!

Okay, here's your chance to redeem yourself for calling me old...who's your favorite theater critic? Of course, my favorite theatre critic would Jeffrey Ellis! He's not afraid to be bluntly honest and really tell people whether or not a show is worth seeing! Plus, he makes me LAUGH!

See, I told you: She's my favorite.

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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