Living Out Loud with Darian

The broadway sensation A Chorus Line has returned to the New York stage to dazzle audiences again with Micahel Bennett's amazing choreography.

Originally staged on the Shubert Theater Stage in 1975, A Chorus Line ran for 15 years and became apart of a list of musicals that shaped American musical theater forever.

My introduction to A Chorus Line was through the movie in 1985.

Even at such a young age I was captivated by the dancers and their experiences in show business, somehow even then I knew performing was my destiny, but it was Gregg Burge who played the part of the energetic dancer Richie who held my attention the longest.

In the current Broadway production the role of Richie is played by dancer James T. Lane . I had the pleasure of seeing James in a production of Dreamgirls in Philadelphia last winter and he turned in amazing performance as the featured male dancer.

It was my hope to secure an interview with James for this site, but unfortunately being in a hit broadway show leaves you with very limited time for activities that aren't mandated by the production staff. I've had the pleasure of speaking with James in person and over the phone a few times and he is as genuine in person as he comes across on stage.

On the show's website each cast member writes a production blog that allows them to share their experiences in the show with their fans.

James writes, "When you do what you love, people respect you. It was just my mother raising my brother and I at home. We got great support from my mother Star. My brother Terry was into the arts at the Meredith School too. But growing up living in the projects, wanting to be a dancer, was not the coolest. I was teased a whole bunch because of my talent. I had to fight a lot and usually came away with the bruises. But as I grew older and focused on getting better, the neighborhood kids started to respect me for who I was and what I was doing. I thought that would never happen."(James T. Lane)

Having experienced the same teasing growing up as a black male dancer in a social environment where it's expected of every black boy to run around with a ball in his hands, I can totally relate to this experience.

So if you're planning on making a trip to the big apple or if you live there, make sure you go and support one of our own on The Great White Way. It's a show you don't want to miss!