BWW Interviews: On The LINE with Kathryn Clubb from Keeton's A CHORUS LINE

Director Kate Adams-Johnson, aka Nashville's busiest choreographer, is putting yet another cast through its paces in preparation for yet another opening night (this one's fast approaching on Thursday, June 9). Only this time, she's serious. Very serious. The show she's helming for this particular opening night, you see, is 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 June 9 opening night, we've introduced you to members of Kate's cast - and next up is relatively new face (although she's already made her mark on Nashville stages), the bright, lovely and clever Kathryn Clubb...

Where are you from Kathryn? I'm from right here in Nashvegas, Tennessee and I am getting my BFA in Musical Theatre at Northern Kentucky University.

What are some of the shows we'll find on your resume? In Nashville I've done such community theatre shows as High School Musical the Musical (Martha Cox), Footloose and Fame. I also went to Hume-Fogg Academic High School where I did Guys and Dolls, The Sound of Music, Babes in Arms, and Beauty and the Beast (Mme. De La Grande Bouche). At NKU, so far, I've done Spoon River Anthology, Cinderella and The Vagina Monologues.

What role do you play in A Chorus Line? I play Bebe, the poor girl whose mother has given her self-esteem issues.

What's the biggest challenge to doing this show for you? The biggest challenge is definitely all the cardio from the amazing dances! But it's 100% worth it. The choreography is just so fabulously iconic.

So, tell the truth: What's your earliest memory of A Chorus Line? Having been raised on Broadway Musicals, I've always been aware of A Chorus Line, but a few summers ago, during Footloose, actually, one of my friends burned me the revival cast recording and that's when I really started listening to it and absolutely loving it. I remember being shocked that "What I Did For Love" wasn't the love song everyone thinks it is, it's actually just a love song for dancers. That really spoke to me.

No one will admit it, but I know Kate's really cracking the whip on this one - how are rehearsals going? The rehearsal process has been a blast so far. It's really great to be home from college and working on a show with people that I like to consider my "Nashville Theatre Family." So that's been great, but also just knowing that I am actually doing one of my most favorite shows of all time is an amazing experience. At our first dance rehearsal, we learned the "charging the line" step and when we all hit The Line at the same time, perfectly, I completely geeked out because that's when it finally sunk in the we were doing THE A Chorus Line.

So You Think You Can Dance or Dancing With the Stars? So You Think You Can Dance all the way. SYTYCD gives people who are actually talented dancers a chance to make it and to stretch their limits. Dancing With the Stars just glorifies celebrities and makes me feel sorry for the professional dancers that have to put up with those uncoordinated sods.

Where were you in 1976 when A Chorus Line premiered on Broadway? Hahahahahaha. right. well let's put it like this: my Mom was only five years older than I am right now. So yeah, I was non-existent to say the least.

What's your favorite song from the show? My favorite song would have to be the first time we hear "One", when there are the four groups singing in a sort of round. I love it because it captures four very accurate methods of thinking for a dancer while he or she is dancing: lyrics, body placement, counts, or names of the steps. It's just a very introspective song for me.

Okay, one final question, nothing big: Who's your favorite theater critic? You,, bitch, of course...

- 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