Interview with Tony winner Savion Glover

Tom Millward
Tom Millward

Savion Glover is an acclaimed choreographer and performer who recently picked up a Drama Desk Award and a Tony nomination for his work on the Tony-nominated production of Shuffle Along, Or, The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed, which is currently booking through to 9 October 2016 at Broadway's Music Box Theatre.

Previously he won a Tony for his choreography and earned a Tony nomination in the category of 'Best Actor in a Musical' for Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk (1996). He also earned a Drama Desk nomination for 'Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical' for Jelly's Last Jam (1992) and a Tony nomination for 'Best Featured Actor in a Musical' for Black and Blue (1989). He made his Broadway debut, assuming the role of Willie, in the 1983 production of The Tap Dance Kid.

Savion is set to join the cast of Shuffle Along from 26 July 2016, so we caught up with him to ask how he is feeling about his return to the Great White Way...

 

Thomas Hayden Millward: Congratulations on your Drama Desk Award and Tony nomination, Savion. You must be thrilled to be part of such a groundbreaking show on Broadway?

Savion Glover: I'm just ecstatic! To be able to work again with [Director] George C. Wolfe and meet new collaborators and all of the ensemble, lead actors and musicians, has been a wonderful, collaborative effort to bring something really poignant and special to the American Theater.

THM: And you really have that huge cast working and earning their pennies out there with that choreography. How has it been working with those five leading actors in particular, including the wondrous Audra McDonald of course?

SG: It's been a delight. They are some of the best professional actors and performers I have encountered thus far on my journey in this industry and it was an honour to be able to work with them.

 

THM: So we've all heard the news that you'll be joining the cast yourself next month. Can you tell us anything about what kind of role you'll be playing?

SG: Well, yes I am going into the show. We're still trying to figure out what exactly we're going to do - whether we have to establish a new character or a new person or player, or if I'll take on a role that already exists. But whatever it is, it's going to be another level of high-powered entertainment added to the show.

THM: Now, you're no stranger to the stage itself, but do you have any butterflies in your stomach about getting out there and joining this cast? Is it nerve-wracking?

SG: No, I'm really looking forward to it. It's not nerve-wracking at all. It's nerve-wracking having to wait! I can't wait to get back on!

THM: And in your own words, what could an audience member expect from an evening out at 'Shuffle Along'?

SG: At 'Shuffle Along' you can expect, once again, an evening of very high-powered entertainment and when you're working with George C. Wolfe, you have no other choice except to be educated. So, it's an education, it's history and it's a monumental show. It's coming from the 1920's and being one of the first black musicals on Broadway. If you have any awareness, or if you want to become aware, of the history that the American Theater has experienced, this is a show that truly represents that.

 

Shuffle Along, Or, The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed is booking through to 9 October 2016 at Broadway's Music Box Theatre. Click HERE for tickets!

Originally published on

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