A Chorus Line.org

And

Rober>T<unstall

Present

Presenting

The Third

 

InTunstallment

 

OF

Nobody Else Will Do

(the interview - part one)

"Maggie Winslow . . . sometimes known as Margaret, Margie, Peggy . . . all of the above. Whatever, it's real and I was born in San Mateo, California on a Thursday evening at 10:40 pm, August 17, 1950."

It is my deepest pleasure to bring you

A true Broadway legend.

 

One who sang their way into your hearts . . .

And made you "Dance for grandma!"

 

Please welcome

 

One Singular Sensation . . .

 

Kay Cole!

 

Rober>T<: Thank you for taking the time for this interview. I love that you're constantly working . . . creating.  What are some of your current projects?

 

KayCole: Well, I just finished teaching for the US Performing Arts Camps here at UCLA.

 

Rober>T<:  . . . With our good friend Judith Patterson.

 

KayCole: Yes, before that I was working on a film and I'll be directing a play in a couple of weeks. So that's exciting!

 

Rober>T<:  It sure is! Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but you made your Broadway debut in Bye Bye Birdie?

 

KayCole: Yes

 

Rober>T<: Working with the late, great Gower Champion. 

 

KayCole: Yes, he was terrific.

 

Rober>T<: My first dance job was touring with a production 42nd Street, so I have an affinity for his work.

 

KayCole: Did you ever work with Don Percassi?

 

Rober>T<: He hired me for that production! It was my first professional dance job. I love Don Percassi! 

 

KayCole: Such a nice man.

 

Rober>T<: He is indeed . . . A truly wonderful human being. 

Now I see that you were in the original cast of Jesus Christ Superstar. That's so cool!  Did you ever get to play Mary Magdalene?

 

KayCole: Yes, it was a great production to be a part of. No, never got to play Mary.

 

Rober>T<:  Did you do the movie with Baayork and our beloved Thommie Walsh?

 

KayCole: No, I didnt get to meet them until A Chorus Line. I was offered it, but turned it down.

 

Rober>T<: So when did you actually meet Michael Bennett?

 

KayCole: I was a part of the second workshop. You know, we workshop'd it before it became the show.

 

Rober>T<: Yes, I do. I also understand that part of Maggie's story is actually Donna McKechnie's story.

 

KayCole: That's right.

 

Rober>T<: Which part is based on you?

 

KayCole: All of "Mother" is me.

 

Rober>T<: How long did you stay with the original production?

 

KayCole: Two years. I did the Broadway production and then went out to LA. After that I did a production in Germany and one in Vienna.

 

Rober>T<:  I understand that you've staged several productions of A Chorus Line, now . . . (And I've heard nothing but raves from the people in it, to the people who have seen it!)  What do you want as a director when people come in to audition for you?

 

KayCole: To be truthful . . . To be themselves and not what they think I want them to be.

 

Rober>T<: Well said. One of my favorite "Maggie moments" comes towards the end of A Chorus Line, after Paul falls and she takes his bag across the stage.  It's so simple, yet so effective with the orchestrations.

 

KayCole: For me, that moment is about closure. You know, Michael re-created that fall for all of us in rehearsal. I remember him being very stoic about it. We didn't know he wasn't hurt. . I'm a very passionate and emotional person, which is where I identify with "Maggie" in that moment.

 

Rober>T<:  I've seen productions of A Chorus Line, where the director has Maggie looking at the Ballet Blaze. Where should her focus be during that moment?

 

KayCole: No, that's wrong.  Her blaze is definitely straight out, in front of her. 

 

Rober>T<:  Thank You. I was hoping you would say that! Now the other two (Sheila and Bebe) do look at the Blaze, is that correct?

 

KayCole: Yes, they look on, but Maggie is definitely having her own blaze in front of her.

 

Rober>T<:  When was the last time you sang "At the Ballet?"

 

KayCole: About seven years ago. 

 

Rober>T<:  Really?  Wow. I've been dying to hear you sing that live all of my life. In fact, my mentors have said . . . "You have not experienced "At the Ballet" until you've sat in the theatre and heard Kay Cole sing it."

 

KayCole: Awww. . . that's very sweet. Thank you. I ended up performing "At the Ballet" at Kathy Najimy's birthday party. I was the surprise guest. She knew all the others that would be performing that night, but had no idea I would be coming out to sing her favorite song from A Chorus Line to her. It was pretty spectacular.

 

Rober>T<:  Well my birthday is April 30th . . . So,

 

KayCole: (laughs)

Click here to continue to part two