Interview: André De Shields

Reprinted from http://jazzwax.com

André De Shields is probably best known for his portrayal as the Wiz in the Broadway version of The Wiz in 1975. Since then, André has appeared in many TV and Broadway shows. Today, I interview André for The Wall Street Journal's"House Call" column in the Mansion section (go here). André grew up in Baltimore in the 1950s, as poor as poor can be. There were 11 children in his family, and his father was a tailor barely able to make ends meet. Both of his parents had dreamed of becoming entertainers but such a life fast became impractical. [Photo above of actor-dancer André De Shields in his 39th-floor Manhattan apartment by Axel Dupeux for The Wall Street Journal]

André knew early on that he wanted to be an actor, singer and dancer. It hit him in 1954, when he was 8 and saw John "Bubbles" Sublett dance while singing Shine, backed by Duke Ellington's orchestra. Sublett was in the 1943 film Cabin in the Sky, which was screened at the Royal Theatre in Baltimore. When Sublett smoothly reached the top of the stairs at the end of Shine, André told himself that was what he wanted to do with his life. But André also knew that to be exposed to such an opportunity, he'd need a great education. So he did just that. It's a fascinating story of focus, drive and enlightenment. Listening to André on the phone was a joy for me. Not only is he Oxford articulate but he also has a rich sophistication that comes from years of reading and performing in the arts. He's a terrific guy.

Here's John "Bubbles" Sublett singing Shine from Cabin in the Sky...

Here's André singing an Ellington duet with Patti LaBelle in 1984...

Also in the Wall Street Journal this weekend, I interview novelist Ann Packer (The Children's Crusade) for the Review section's "Playlist" column (go here). Her favorite song is Graham Nash's Our House, which appears on Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's Déjà Vu album. Growing up in a stressful household in Stanford, Calif., Ann found refuge in the gentle, cozy song. [Photo above of Ann Packer by Elena Seibert] Here's Ann on her book tour in 2011...

Used with permission by Marc Myers