Interview: Broadway Choreographer Patdro Harris Directs THE FIRST NOEL at The Ensemble This Holiday Season!
THE FIRST NOEL opens at The Ensemble Theatre this week, offering a musical for the holidays that inspires nostalgia with a big nod to pop, gospel, and holiday tunes. And renowned choreographer Patdro Harris is directing.
Harris is a Helen Hays award winner who was the lead dancer and tour choreographer for Stevie Wonder's world tour, the choreographer for A RAISIN IN THE SUN on Broadway, and now the director-choreographer for THE FIRST NOEL. Lucky Houston!
So when Harris found time in his busy schedule to chat with me, I made sure to ask him the most random things. Wonder what his favorite animal is? Wonder no longer. Read below.
If you could have anything to eat, right now, that's perfectly prepared, what would it be?
Patdro Harris: Hmm. [Pauses] Probably some grits with cheese. That would be wonderful. It's breakfast, and I'm hungry, so grits would be great.
If you could meet three famous people at a dinner party, who would they be?
Patdro Harris: Steven Spielberg, Michael Fitch, and Quincy Jones.
What do you miss most about your childhood?
Patdro Harris: My mom. She passed when I was twenty-one. Right before my first professional show.
If you had to do something other than dance, what profession would you choose?
Patdro Harris: I would be in marketing. Coming up with slogans, names of companies. I like the aspect of going and solving a puzzle while you're teaching someone about something.
Where is your favorite place to be?
Patdro Harris: Well, I'm away from my wife, so any place with her would be wonderful. Some place relaxing with my wife. A good movie with my wife - that would be wonderful.
If you could live in any foreign country for a year, where would you go?
Patdro Harris: Probably Japan. Touring there with Stevie (Wonder) and a couple other bands I made a lot of Japanese friends. I would like to go there, see my friends, work on my Japanese.
Which animal do you most connect with?
Patdro Harris: A dog. They're loyal, protective, they're honest, they're right there with you.
THE FIRST NOEL opens November 17 and runs through December 30 at The Ensemble Theatre. For tickets, please visit ensemblehouston.org.
Photo Credit: Kufunya Kail
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