What is your name? Lisa Hennig
What is your role in the show? I play Monica, one of the chorus girls. Monica is hot-headed, sharp tongued, but endlessly sweet to those who have earned her loyalty. Luckily the way to her heart is through her stomach… Does anyone have any chocolate?
Why should audiences come to see According to the Chorus? According to the Chorus is a snapshot of life on Broadway in the 1980’s. Amidst the cultural revolution of feminism and the HIV/AIDS Epidemic, According to the Chorus puts the spotlight on the “show-must-go-on” mentality of many artists and performers during this time. This production seems frivolous and goofy on the surface, but offers subtle glimpses of more complex story-telling behind every character. If you love searching for details, this is for you!
What would you say would be a highlight of working on According to the Chorus? A highlight was speaking with those who worked on Broadway during the AIDS/HIV crisis. As someone born after this time and without many elder queer connections, it was really powerful to learn the stories of the many friends and coworkers who were lost during this time, and as a member of the LGBT+ community it made me feel connected to this part of my community’s history.
Many characters in According to the Chorus are grappling with their own personal struggles, some more openly than others. What was a challenge that you overcame, that most people might not have known about at the time? In February 2024 I lost my father after a 7 year battle with cancer. I spent most of my 20’s hiding how deeply I was struggling with slowly losing him, and I felt a lot of pressure to not speak about how the slow loss was weighing on me because he hadn’t actually died yet. After his passing, I finally felt free to express the grief of losing him and acknowledge how painful it was to keep everything inside.
What was your favourite costume that you’ve ever worn? In high school I played Sandy in Grease, and the Bad Sandy finale outfit was a favourite. I wore the classic leather jacket and pants, but the real kicker was the shoes – I found these sky high platform heels that had mirrors along the sides. They reflected all the lights and didn’t really fit the character, but the shoes were so crazy the director let me wear them. I was six inches taller in them and taller than my Danny, it was awesome!