INTERVIEW: From Stage to Director’s Chair — Todrick Corridor Brings Burlesque to Life in London

Few performers embody the spirit of reinvention and showmanship fairly like Todrick Corridor. From his viral YouTube creations to Broadway stints and chart-topping albums, Corridor has constructed a profession on dazzling audiences together with his daring artistry, unapologetic storytelling, and aptitude for spectacle. Now, he’s bringing that very same vitality to the West Finish as he takes centre stage in Burlesque The Musical — a glittering new manufacturing impressed by the cult-favourite movie. 

Set in New York Metropolis, Burlesque follows Ali (Jess Folley), a small-town lady with massive desires, who discovers a blinding however struggling nightclub the place she hopes to seek out her place on stage. As she fights for her likelihood to shine, she uncovers secrets and techniques about her previous—together with a seek for her start mom—whereas navigating fierce rivalries, romance, and the excessive stakes of present enterprise. Mixing powerhouse songs, dazzling choreography, and coronary heart, it’s a narrative of ambition, identification, and discovering household in surprising locations.

We sat down with Todrick to speak about entering into this glowing world, the enjoyment of dwell efficiency, embracing new challenges, and what he hopes would be the reveals lasting legacy…

Todrick, Burlesque The Musical is effectively and really thriving right here at The Savoy Theatre, congratulations! Discuss to me about your West Finish summer season thus far…

Thanks a lot! I’m actually having such an important summer season thus far — London is one in every of my favorite cities; I completely find it irresistible right here. The final couple of months have been a little bit of a whirlwind, however I’ve learnt lots, and I’ve met so many superb individuals, and… hear, I get to carry out on this unbelievable present each evening so, I’ve acquired no complaints, I’m very blissful.

You’re directing, choreographing, and even performing on this new manufacturing of the present — how do you stability these obligations with out shedding deal with anyone ingredient?

Effectively I’m not going to mislead you, and inform you that discovering that stability has been simple as a result of it hasn’t (laughs), however that’s all a part of the fun of theatre proper? Once you assume multiple function in a manufacturing, there’s no getting away from the truth that you need to be on prime of your sport, and militant in your entire planning and execution. If we’re speaking straight information, I’ll communicate the reality and say we didn’t have an enormous period of time to place this present collectively, the schedule was tight and we had some issues working in opposition to us, however I work effectively underneath strain, and am capable of stay centered even when I’ve to spin one million and one completely different plates within the air. Did we chunk off greater than we may chew? Perhaps… however we acquired there ultimately, and I imagine we’ve created one thing actually magical. And I say ‘we’ as a result of this has really been a crew effort. The individuals you see on stage, the individuals working behind the scenes, the musicians, they’re ones who’ve made all of this occur. 

When the supply got here in to tackle extra of a artistic function, did you say a direct ‘sure’ or did you need to take a minute to consider whether or not or not that was one thing you actually needed to do at this level in your profession? 

It was undoubtedly a direct, and simple ‘sure’, for a lot of causes, however primarily as a result of in the beginning of this yr I made a vow to myself that I might solely tackle new alternatives and challenges that scared me. To outlive on this business you need to develop and evolve with the instances, and while I’ve been very fortunate in my profession to have carried out in quite a lot of completely different Broadway musicals and West Finish reveals, I’ve by no means had the prospect to completely direct or choreograph a manufacturing that wasn’t my very own. So when this concept was put to me, I knew I couldn’t say no, as a result of I knew it will be one thing that may push me out of my consolation zone and into a brand new territory that I’d longed to discover.

Now you’re each main the forged creatively and standing alongside them on stage, how do you shift between being the visionary and being a collaborator?

Ooh, that’s an fascinating query. I feel you need to have a transparent understanding of what every function requires, and discover ways to differentiate between the 2 with out ever blurring the traces, in order that your forged and crew by no means really feel confused about what it’s you’re making an attempt to attain on any given day. I suppose it’s all about communication, and having an open dialogue with all of the individuals you’re working with. 

What’s your course of for turning a spark of inspiration into one thing tangible on stage?

Exhausting work, it’s so simple as that! You possibly can have all of the concepts on this planet, and you may speak a giant speak in planning and manufacturing conferences, however if you happen to’re not keen to point out up on day one in every of rehearsals, able to go all out to make sure that these concepts come to life, then there’s actually no level in exhibiting up in any respect.

How do you stability staying true to your artistic imaginative and prescient with the sensible realities of theatre?

In my very own work, I’m somebody who likes to push boundaries and take massive swings — I don’t ever prefer to play it secure. Anytime I’ve made a YouTube video, a visible album, or devised the artistic for a dwell efficiency, I throw every thing I’ve acquired at it. In my thoughts there aren’t any limits, I’ll give my all to make it every thing it may be. However as a result of theatre is a distinct beast, and there are extra shifting components to think about, you need to be extra sensible in your considering. So it’s all about crew work, dialog, collaboration and considering exterior of the field. You’re not at all times be capable to do one thing precisely as you’d initially imagined it, however you will get fairly shut. 

Discovering the constructive in that, dealing with challenges and making an attempt to beat any obstacles should push you to turn out to be extra modern in your considering, which absolutely isn’t a nasty factor?

It’s not a nasty factor in any respect, I couldn’t agree extra. I’ve to say although, the crew engaged on this present have been unbelievable, and so they’ve mentioned “sure” to just about each concept I’ve had. Our firm mantra has at all times type of been: “who cares what individuals say, let’s simply do it!” which makes coming to work a lot enjoyable, as a result of it unites us and permits us to create artwork in probably the most liberating method potential. 

There’s clear and apparent bond between you and the remainder of the forged…

Oh all of us have one another’s backs it doesn’t matter what! I really feel so supported and guarded by every one of many forged, each onstage and offstage. I can’t thank them sufficient for all the dedication, and coronary heart they’ve put into this present.

Away from the Burlesque lounge, how have you ever been spending your time this summer season?

(Laughs) that is so humorous, as a result of individuals typically ask me what I do for enjoyable, and as a lot as I wish to say: “oh I am going to the membership” or “I am going out for dinner with my buddies”, the reality is I am going to the theatre… or perhaps Disneyland (laughs). Truthfully, there may be nothing I really like greater than theatre. I promise you, I’m not exaggerating once I say that I’ve seen between 700 and 1000 musicals in my life — I’m obsessed! The theatre neighborhood evokes me, it offers me with a chance to flee. If ever I discover myself with a free day and nothing to do, there’s nothing I really like greater than going to see a present, and shedding myself in a narrative. 

Have you ever been to take a look at every other West Finish reveals?

Sure, I just lately went to see ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ on the Ambassadors Theatre and was blown away. I feel it’s my new favorite present, as a result of it forces you to open your thoughts, suppose, and reimagine what you already know to be the reality. 

Theatre that provokes thought? We like to see it!

Proper! And never simply that, however a way of escapism too! Once you go to see a present, you’re pressured to modify off and overlook in regards to the world, even when only for a few hours, which I feel is tremendous essential particularly within the present local weather, the place we’re all so busy and on the go 24/7 — our lives are continuous, we don’t have a minute to breathe! Even in our downtime, we’re on our telephones, aimlessly scrolling and consuming every kind of scary information… it’s not wholesome is it?