Darnell Bennett
Tayler Harris
Before she belts "Memory" at Bass Performance Hall starting Tuesday, actor Tayler Harris took a moment to chat with Fort Worth Magazine about how she went from working in retail to touring in one of Broadway's biggest shows, what food she wants to try in Fort Worth — oh, and that "Cats" movie...
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Fort Worth Magazine: First off, we're so excited to have y'all in town after not having Broadway at the Bass for over a year. This performance of "Cats" will be a little different from what audiences have seen in the past. What are some of the new elements that people who've seen the show before can look forward to?
TH: Well, you have Andy Blankenbuehler who not only choreographed "Hamilton," but he honors the iconic work of the original choreographer, Gillian Lynne, in the revival of "Cats," which is the production that we are doing. The entire revival reimagines "Cats" as everyone knows and loves with an enhanced eye towards storytelling and further fleshed-out characterizations, for sure.
FWM: You play a huge role in the show as Grizabella and get to sing the biggest number, "Memory." For a show that's been running for 40 years, how do you balance staying true to tradition while also putting your own spin on the character?
TH: It's truly an honor to be a part of the ongoing legacy of this role ... I am the fifth Black woman to play Grizabella so that's truly an honor.
There are three words that everyone in the show received while getting ready for the character in mind. We're "proud, hurt, and indomitable" for Grizabella. Right when I go on to sing "Memory," I'm always just thinking about everything I have worked for leading up to this moment to get me here night after night doing this, just going, wow. I have worked so hard and just manifested and prayed for this, and how truly special it is to share the song with so many wonderful human beings on stage. It's a moment that, while I'm very much in the spotlight, it's also just so beautiful to connect with everyone one on one. We all get to have a moment of unison breath-and-release because this is such a big and special moment in the show where we're all on stage together. That's a big thing I definitely enjoy with singing "Memory," for sure.
FWM: Were you part of the company before the pandemic, or are you new to the company?
TH: No, I'm very new to the company. This is my first Broadway tour. I was working in retail, then during the pandemic, I was working from home doing some online sales things for a company I worked at in New York. But I had an agent, and they were submitting me for projects here and there. "Cats" came about, and I was like, "Yes, I'm interested. Let's do it. Let's just put all of our eggs in one basket and see what comes of it." I very fortunately continued to do well in the process, and I got the big call and that has been very exciting. I'd say being with the tour, it's so great to have the opportunity to not just do what I love every single day, but I get to travel and go to different cities and explore as well. It's nice to get a sense of adventure all while doing the show at night.
FWM: Have you been to Fort Worth before?
TH: No, I have not. I have some distant family friends in the Dallas area, but other than that, I've never really been to Texas, and I'm excited. I definitely intend on hitting up some local spots and maybe finding some barbecue or whatever is popular and local in the area for sure. I like to really dive into local business and support.
FWM: I've also got to ask your opinion on the "Cats" movie — because it got quite the battering of bad reviews when it first came out. As someone who actually performs in the stage version of the show, what was your take on it?
TH: Like every adaptation of a stage production, it's always going to be very different because it's seen through a film lens. At the end of the day, the music, the storytelling, the dancing is all still very much there. I thought it was wonderful ... the movie created a new medium for fans around the world to enjoy "Cats," even with COVID when theater wasn't really happening within the past 18 months. But there's something truly magical and unique about experiencing "Cats" live on stage.
"Cats" runs at Bass Hall through Nov. 21. Find ticket information here.
