Legendary Actor Returns To Chicago Stage Where He Debuted 46 Years Ago
(CBS) -- Actor, director, singer and Emmy and Tony nominee, Andre De Shields says Chicago is where it all began for him.
"I went to college at the University of Wisconsin, Madison so I came to Chicago where the action was. I got my first stage job in "Hair" in 1969," he said.
Since then, he's appeared in "The Wiz," "Ain't Misbehavin'," "The Full Monty" and dozens of other productions.
He says the Chicago theatre culture has changed quite a bit since he first began.
"Chicago has come a long way in terms of the arts, in terms of the Loop being the anchor for commercial theater and being a friendly place," he said. "It's full circle for me."
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As one of the seniors in his latest production of "Gotta Dance," he and his costars had to learn hip hop dancing.
"When I was asked to do this, I had to negotiate with my old bones. I said do I have to dance?" he laughed, "We went through a two week boot camp, five hours a day for two weeks. Sometimes I can't walk when I come home."
De Shields says the message of Gotta Dance is to 'never stop moving" no matter how old you are.
"This show is about group of senior citizens who are dancing hip hop as the half time entertainment for the New Jersey Cougars basketball team," De Shields said. "Here's the conceit. If you do not continue to engage life, life with not engage you. Gotta Dance is a metaphor for staying involved, staying on your feet. Never stop moving no matter how old you are."
De Shields says the role helps keep him young.
"There are times I am tired but I tell myself to keep going," he said. "If I rest, I rust."
De Shields was also honored with the 2015 Award for Excellence in the Arts from The Theater School at DePaul University Monday night.
"Gotta Dance" runs at the Bank of America Theater December 13 through January 10.
