Donna
McKechnie will forever be known for her Tony Award-winning
performance as the iconic Cassie — she of the red wrap dress, character
shoes and the famous “Music and the Mirror” number — in the original Broadway
production of “A
Chorus Line.”

Now, 34 years after the show opened on Broadway, Ms. McKechnie is bringing
her skills as a choreographer to “Cross That
River,” a new show making its premiere at the New York Musical Theater Festival.
The production, with music and lyrics by Allan Harris and a book by Andrew
Carl Wilk, tells the story of a runaway slave named Blue, who joins a group of
black cowboys in Texas in the 1860s. The score blends country, gospel, jazz,
R&B and genres of the period.
Calling from a car on her way to the airport, where she was leaving for
London to open a new cabaret act, Ms. McKechnie talked about why she joined the
show’s creative team. Following are excerpts.

What is the show about?

It’s based on a true story about a runaway slave after the Civil War who
finds his way out West to find his freedom. It’s a metaphor of the journey of
his life. It explores the black West, the Buffalo soldiers and things that
happened in our history after slavery was abolished. Along the way this former
slave meets all of these people who are very much a part of the growth of the
West at that time.

How did this show come together?

This was originally a concert piece. It was just a group of songs with a
storyline. It was a one-man tribute to that time in our history, and to this one
cowboy. What we’ve done in a short time, with a talented cast, is that we’ve
seen it come to life in a theatrical form.

What’s your role?

My responsibility is that when the music comes up, I have to tell the story
with the actors. We depend on collaboration to help advance the story. We work
as a very collaborative unit. This workshop situation is very inspiring.

What attracted you to this project? Did you know anything about the
subject?

I was attracted to the story and the music. I loved the fact that Allan had
written this show about a period in our history that I wasn’t taught about
growing up in Michigan in the ’50s. I was inspired by learning about the Buffalo
soldiers, and how they were sent to the front lines to fight the Indians, who
were also fighting for their own lives.

Is there something from your days with “A Chorus Line” that influences
your work today?

I was always a perfectionist. I learned to let that go. To see Michael
Bennett go to rehearsal every day and risk failure and make mistakes. He
could not have been successful if he tried to be good all the time. We were a
mess at times. I learned a lot from him.
It’s a process you have to respect. That’s what we’re doing. We’re being
silly, having growing pains and shouting, but with great love.
“Cross That River” runs at various times through Oct. 18. More
information is at the show’s Web site or at NYMF.org.