DONNA McKECHNIE on "A Chorus Line" at 50 & "Chess" Returns | THEATER: All the Moving Parts

Broadway icon Donna McKechnie opens up about the 50th anniversary of "A Chorus Line"—and the secrets behind her Tony-winning collaboration with Michael Bennett. In this episode of "Theater: All the Moving Parts," host Patrick Pacheco sits down with Donna McKechnie, the original Cassie, as she reflects on the groundbreaking musical that changed Broadway forever. Then, our expert panel dives deep into "Chess," the cult musical returning to Broadway this fall with Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit, and Nicholas Christopher. We're joined by Michael Riedel (Author, Singular Sensation), Ruthie Fierberg (Executive Editor, Broadway News), and Matt Koplik (Host of Broadway Breakdown). From our intimate conversation with Donna McKechnie: 🎭 Donna's reaction to Michael Bennett's famous quote: "I dance like a male Donna McKechnie" 🎭 Why Michael kept Donna separate from the legendary dancer circle sessions that created "A Chorus Line" 🎭 Her ballsy fight to save "Tick Tock" in "Company": "I'm not leaving this stage until you tell me you know how to fix this" 🎭 Donna discussing her collaboration and marriage to Michael Bennett: "I was shocked when he proposed" and the performative role as "Broadway's sweethearts" 🎭 Her inspiring comeback story: told she'd never dance again, she returned to "A Chorus Line" 12 years later at age 44 🎭 Michael's last words to her: "We like it"—and what it really meant about their reconciled friendship Plus, exclusive "Chess" insights from our expert panel: 🎭 Our panelists reveal why this musical has fascinated fans for 40 years 🎭 Tim Rice's "white whale": Why "Chess" is his all-time favorite work despite its Broadway failure 🎭 The Michael Bennett connection: His vision of "Chess" as a James Bond movie before AIDS cut his involvement short 🎭 How the new production is marketing "sexy chess" with three attractive leads to bring audiences in 🎭 The Aaron Tveit factor: What his "Moulin Rouge!" performance reveals about how he'll tackle the troubled Freddie Trumper 🎭 Danny Strong's Broadway debut as book writer—and why his TV background ("Empire," "Dopesick") might finally fix the show's structural problems 🎭 Why songs keep getting moved around: a fundamental flaw that's plagued "Chess" From the raw origins of "A Chorus Line" to the endless reinventions of "Chess," this episode reveals the messy, brilliant, heartbreaking reality of creating Broadway history. Follow CUNY TV: Facebook:   / cunytv   Twitter:   / cunytv   Instagram:   / cuny.tv      / @cunytv   LinkedIn:   / cunytv   Find more from CUNY TV at https://tv.cuny.edu Tape Date: 07/07/2025 First Air Date: 08/01/2025 Guest List: Ruthie Fierberg, Executive Editor, Broadway News Matt Koplik, Host, Broadway Breakdown Podcast Donna McKechnie, Actor, A Chorus Line Michael Riedel, Veteran Critic and Author On THEATER: All the Moving Parts, host Patrick Pacheco looks beyond the spotlight at the passionate and unheralded creative talents that are critical to the theatrical experience. From costumer designers to dramaturges and everything in between, Patrick looks at all the moving parts of a Broadway production. Watch more at: https://tv.cuny.edu/show/theaterallth... THEATER: All the Moving Parts playlist https://bit.ly/2N5eNLs​ Subscribe to the CUNY TV channel: https://bit.ly/2GmGb13 THMP07011_V1