Fame - Debbie Allen interview
Comoiled by Jack Foley
DEBBIE Allen talks about returning to Fame as Principal Angela Simms and recalls some of her memories of appearing in Alan Parker’s original. She also talks about her fellow cast members and why the film is ripe to appeal to a new generation…
Q. What’s it like returning to Fame?
Debbie Allen: Well, I just thought it was wonderful when I heard that they were finally doing it again, because I wanted so much to revive it. We first talked about it 10 years ago and we’ve been talking about it forever. I was just happy to be recalled and participate in something that is such a big part of my life and my career.
Q. Which begs the question, why make a new Fame? Didn’t the original film and television series speak for itself?
Debbie Allen: Absolutely, it spoke for itself. But a good idea is still a good idea ten years later. It’s still a good idea twenty years later, and it’s a good idea thirty years later. That’s how long it’s been. It’s a classic story, but it still relates to what’s happening today: to see young people in this setting, taking hold of their lives, trying to find their way through the arts to express themselves, to become who they’re hopefully destined to become. Just to explore that struggle and what it means today… This is also a time where we’re seeing a revival of the film musical itself. With the popularity of films from High School Musical to Stomp The Yard, this was a no-brainer.
Q. I understand you’re playing a different character this time around?
Debbie Allen: Well, I’m the principal of the school, Angela Simms. But as far as I’m concerned, Lydia Grant got married [laughs]. That’s it! I play “Mrs. Simms” in the movie. So I had them give me a wedding ring… In the film, you’ll hear people call her “Mrs. Simms,” and that’s all you hear. So for all the fans of Fame from years and years, they’ll see her as Lydia Grant. “Oh, she got married and she’s the principal, now.” The writer’s intent is that she’s a different character, that’s for sure. But we actors have our own creativity that has nothing to do with the producers, writers or the director (laughs). We make up our own truths!
Q. How did you become involved with the new film?
Debbie Allen: The producer, Gary Lucchesi, called and asked if I was interested, in homage to the original, to play the school’s principal. I said, absolutely I’ll play the principal. That was it.
Q. I’m assuming you didn’t have to audition this time around?
Debbie Allen: No [laughs]. And I didn’t have to audition the last time either [laughs].
Q. What was the original shoot like?
Debbie Allen: Alan Parker was the director… I had a big number and everything that I was going to do. But by the time they got around to shooting it, they already had a 10-hour movie (laughs). So they gave me the dress and they said: “We love you Debbie Allen but we can’t shoot your song because the movie’s too long already.” You see, the movie was developing as he was shooting it. Alan Parker was an amazing director, but the way he filmed it, you didn’t always know when he was actually shooting. Sometimes he’d say: “Ok, let’s move on.” And you had no idea that he had shot the scene [laughs]… So for me, it was really about the TV series, you know, that took it to another level around the world.
Q. What was the experience like this time for you? Surreal…?
Debbie Allen: No, it wasn’t surreal at all. You know the dance world and the theater arts world for young people is something I’ve been involved with since I did the first Fame. I have my own dance academy and I’ve taught around the world… So, there was nothing surreal about it. I didn’t feel like: “Oh my God, I’ve been transported to another planet.” It’s kind of what I do every day, in a way.
Q. What did you think of the new cast, starting with your fellow teachers?
Debbie Allen: I thought that they were brilliant. I mean, I thought they were all really well placed. Charles S Dutton is the drama teacher. Kelsey Grammer is the music teacher. Bebe Neuwirth, who actually… I actually gave her, her first job in television! She played in the Fame TV series. She played an evil ballet teacher [laughs]… Now she’s back as a dance teacher.
Q. And the students?
Debbie Allen: Oh, the kids are just adorable. That Naturi Naughton and Denise [Panabaker] – they are, wow… I think they’re pretty amazing.
Q. Did they ask you for any advice or input; even the director, Kevin Tancharoen, is fairly new to filmmaking…
Debbie Allen: Well, we didn’t have a lot of time for that kind of thing, really. The kids were just very respectful and very happy to meet me. They made me feel really special, you know. And Kevin… Yes, he’s a young director. But he has great instincts and he understands all the toys, all the bells and whistles. And he’s good with people – that’s important. I knew he would get what he needed.