Dancing with the Stars judge Josh Horner will put his own dance skills to the test when he tours the country next month with the Aussie stage revival of the classic Broadway musical, A Chorus Line.
Horner, who plays Zac in the musical, comes to the role with plenty of onstage experience, having started his performing career as a member of the Australian Ballet before travelling to New York to play Billy Elliot on Broadway.
Here, he talks to Bryce Corbett about strapping on the dance shoes and getting back up on stage.
How’s your American accent? “Would you like fries with that?” Ah, its okay, never going to say I’m perfect but I have been told I do a good job by industry friends!
You’re taking on a role made famous by Michael Douglas in the film adaptation of A Chorus Line. Big shoes to fill? Yeah, look everyone has a preconceived idea of the show from the movie, or they’ve seen a live production somewhere. I watched the movie again to get a flavour of how Michael Douglous attacked the role but with any show I do I always make sure to put my own mark on it.
How did your years with the Australian Ballet prepare you for a show like this? The Aussie Ballet was a great training ground for the career I’ve had. A Chorus Line is a very technical show dance-wise so you really need a solid strong technique to nail the choreography. All those years in the ballet studio have certainly paid off. I have to say it’s more fun doing this show than a white tights ballet.
You and Todd make a great show of rivalry on Dancing with the Stars but is it really that tense between you once the cameras are off? No. We chat about life and stuff before the show and there isn’t a hint of tension. Afterwards, he leaves pretty much straight away so we don’t really have a post-show beer together so it’s all just professional. At the end of the day I think if we go each other on the show we know it isn’t personal. Well, I hope it isn’t.
What is it about A Chorus Line that makes it a such a crowd-pleaser 40 years after its Broadway debut? How do you explain its enduring appeal? I find that with A Chorus Line every audience member relates to one or more of the characters. It’s very real and a good insight to where dancers have come from and have grown up just like normal people with struggles of everyday life. There are stories about divorcing parents, bullying, image problems, puberty and sexuality. It’s a very relatable show and you never get bored because there’s always a new story to be told with awesome dancing and singing in between. I sit at the back of the audience during the show and see just how the audience reacts and it’s awesome.
Why such a short run in each of the capital cities? This is, afterall, a musical that ran for decades on Broadway and the West End. I think it’s a very successful model now for musicals. Short run and pack the audience in. The experience of a full house is just wonderful for a performer and we seem to have really successful seasons so far. If a show is playing to half audiences after sitting in a city for six months it can feel a struggle. I also think for producers it’s a safer option in case a show doesn’t take off, you haven’t lost money on a failing show.
What can audiences expect from this production of A Chorus Line that they won’t have seen in previous productions? Well, they get to judge me and see how I rank on the dance floor. Baayork Lee has directed the cast with valuable knowledge from first-hand experiences as she was an original cast member. It’s a perfect ‘Classic Broadway Show’ to see. Our production has already received wonderful reviews and the cast is so diverse and rich with talent it would be sad if you missed it.
Why were you attracted to the role of Zac? Zac is the role that really suits my real life right now. The past three years I’ve focussed on choreographing more. I’ve been working as a consultant for Disney and holding auditions in LA and been on the other side of the table as opposed to trying to get the role in the show. I just suit Zac right now. It’s great timing.
Do you miss the rigours of being in the Australian Ballet corps? Or do your hip, ankle and knee joints thank you? I do not miss it one bit. Just have to watch the kilos now that I’m not dancing all day, every day like I used to.
How important was Billy Elliot to the development of your career as a performer? Billy Elliot was the show that got me to Broadway. It made all my dreams come true to dance on Broadway and then to also perform with Sir Elton John at the Tony Awards was just amazing.
What’s the one dance or stage role you’ve not done but you’d love to do? Well I’ve heard rumours of a Strictly Ballroom musical in the works so I’d love to play the role of Scott Hastings that was made famous by Paul Mecurio. But looking back on my career so far I’ve loved all the roles I’ve done. I get excited by new musicals and originating roles so more of those maybe?
What’s your favourite number in A Chorus Line? The opening ‘Hope I Get It’. It’s the biggest, most electric opening that any dancer can do.
Glee or Smash? Have to say Smash as I have lots of friends in it.
What’s your favourite musical of all time? Well, all jokes aside I do love A Chorus Line but I do have a new favourite: Disney’s new musical called Newsies. My friend choreographed it and the male dancers are just phenomenal.
A Chorus Line will play at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre for 21 performances only from Friday 20 July, then travel to Perth’s Burswood Theatre playing from Saturday 20 October then to Brisbane from Friday 16 November 2012. Click here for more information or to buy tickets.
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