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Dancing With The Stars: Samantha Harris Talks About Her Broadway Role

July 9, 2009 11:30:56 by Britteny Elrick

Dancing With The Stars co-host Samantha Harris just started taking over the role of Roxie Hart for the Broadway company of Chicago. She will perform the part through August 16, 2009 and then will also participate in Chicago’s national tour in South Carolina from August 18-23. So how has Samantha been handling New York rehearsals while her hubby and daughter are in L.A? Keep reading for the full interview…

Interview courtesy of Newsday.com:

How are you coping?

Samantha: I went into this with open eyes. I’m used to juggling two jobs. Insider has been gracious enough to let me shoot from New York all summer and has given my Broadway debut tremendous documentation.

You grew up in Hopkins, Minn., where your father was a rock promoter and your mother was a dancer. Did you have musical-theater training?

Samantha: I grew up in a singing, dancing family. Even though I majored in journalism [at Northwestern University], I took acting classes, dance classes. It’s in my blood. I did 150 performances of “Reefer Madness” in a 99-seat house in L.A., and I toured with Eric Idle ["Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python"]. “Chicago” has been following me since I sang “All That Jazz” in a variety show in ninth grade. I know the musical very well.

Are you modeling your Roxie on any famous interpretation?

Samantha: I’ve studied multiple Roxies, anyone I could find on YouTube and in performance - Chita [Rivera], Bebe [Neuwirth], Charlotte [d'Amboise] and obviously Anne Reinking. But the dance director says it’s important for me to make her my own. That’s why they hire new people, not to do a copycat. I’ve taken little bits from every performance that works for me, but I’ve tried to find my own Roxie.

Is there a relationship between your entertainment-news beat and the musical’s attitude about fame?

Samantha: Obviously. “Chicago” is all about being a celebrity until the next best thing comes along. People were watching the Farrah Fawcett death watch. But hours after she died, Michael Jackson died. Everyone forgot about Farrah. It’s so sad.

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Photo Credit: broadway.com

Related posts:

1. Chat Live With Samantha Harris Tuesday July 14, 2009
2. Dancing With The Stars: Cheryl Burke Headed For Broadway?
3. Dancing With The Stars: Samantha Harris Is Leaving
4. Dancing With The Stars: Samantha Harris Celebrates Birthday And New Job
5. Dancing With The Stars: Samantha Harris Joins The Insider

Topics: ABC Reality TV Shows, Dancing with the Stars |

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