"TINA'S" Deidre Lang: From OG to GG!

When I read in Deidra Lang’s Bio that she had been an OG Fly Girl from “In Living Color” and had also appeared on Broadway in the original production of Ragtime, I thought to myself, I have got to speak to this woman asap!! Sorry I’m getting ahead of myself, so let’s start over (but I simply had to get that out first).

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical will be playing here at the VBC Concert Hall next week, November 22^nd through the 24^th , Friday through Sunday, for five performances. Deidre Lang will be portraying the role of Tina’s grandmother, Gran Georgeanna (or GG). And Kip Driver cannot wait!! Ok, now we’re back on track. Seriously though, anyone who has had the long and varied career of being an original Fly Girl, performing on Broadway in the original production of Ragtime and now traveling the country starring in TINA, is someone that I have a million questions to ask. Although there wasn’t time to ask quite that many questions, I did get a fair amount answered. Here’s some of my lovely chat with Ms. Deidre Lang:

Deidre Lang! I am just so thrilled to get to talk to you. We are all very excited to have TINA coming to Huntsville and I want to hear all about it. But first I need to ask you about being a Fly Girl. How did that come about?

Well, I graduated from high school and shortly thereafter I ended up moving to NYC because I received a scholarship to dance at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. But then I realized I could also sing. Maurice Hines hired me to star with him in “Harlem Suite” at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles. So, I left NYC and moved to LA. Sadly the show closed shortly thereafter, but I was determined to stay in LA anyway. I got an apartment with four other girls, and we decided to go for it.

I auditioned for “In Living Color” and next thing I know I was cast as an original Fly Girl in 1990. I was on that show for five seasons!

I loved “In Living Color!” And the Fly Girls were just so cool. What do you remember about working with Jennifer Lopez?

She was sweet. Jennifer was hired to be a Fly Girl in Seasons Three & Four. She always said, “I’m going to be a star!!” And she sure did become one.

Let’s talk about your Broadway credits: The original productions of The Who’s Tommy, Ragtime and The Lion King. What comes to mind about The Who’s Tommy?

I booked the Broadway tour of The Who’s Tommy right after “In Living Color” ended. And ended up being in the Broadway company as well. I was a dancer in the ensemble, but I also understudied The Acid Queen. You might remember that Tina Turner played that role in the film version of “Tommy” (1975).

Tell me about Ragtime.

There was a Los Angeles Company of Ragtime before it came to Broadway and that’s how I started with the show. Then I performed in the Broadway company later.

Wait, I saw the LA company, starring LaChanze as Sarah.

Yes! I was dancing in the ensemble but also featured in the Pas de Deux couple.

I remember! I saw you in the show. I love that!

Ragtime was such a beautiful experience! I will never forget a moment of it. It was definitely one of my favorite experiences onstage throughout my career.

And how about The Lion King?

I’m very grateful to have gotten so much work over the years from The Lion King. Not only did I get to perform in the Broadway company, but also the touring company and the sit-down company in Las Vegas. The Lion King is such a gorgeous visual show to watch, and the opening number is stunning. Probably my favorite opening number of all time.

I noticed that you’ve toured with Hairspray a couple of times in your career. Could you break that down for me?

Yes! I was in the original First National Touring Company of Hairspray back in 2003. I played one of the Dynamites and understudied Motormouth Maybelle. Cut to almost 20 years later, shows are starting to tour again after COVID, and I receive a phone call asking me to play Motormouth Maybelle in the touring company of Hairspray. Talk about a marriage made in heaven! That became the favorite role I’ve ever played. I think it’s about time to bring that show back to Broadway. And if they do, I will certainly be throwing my hat in the ring to play her again.

Deidre, we haven’t even touched on the fact that you also toured with School of Rock and Cats too. Or that you were in the Las Vegas company of Rock of Ages and toured internationally with Smokey Joe’s Cafe! But we’re running out of time, and I need to ask you about playing Tina’s grandmother, GG, in The Tina Turner Musical. What is that like?

I feel so fortunate to be able to play Gran Georgeanna in this phenomenal show. GG was Tina’s rock. She was one of the few people in her life that nurtured Tina and believed in her, and her talent. She is the one who encouraged Tina to go out into the world and make those dreams come true.

Also, I call GG the “Princess” track. No costume or wig changes. A song in Act 1 and another one in Act 2. And she plays a vital role in the story and in Tina’s life. Doesn’t get better than that!

Lastly, do you have any advice for our young Theatre kids in Huntsville that hope to be up there one day doing what you do?

Well, if they’re Theatre kids that means they have already been studying which is the right thing to do. It’s so important to be versatile in this business to keep on working year after year. So, I suggest refining your skills towards becoming a triple threat. Just keep on studying and taking classes.

That is some sound advice coming from such a versatile performer as yourself who has worked steadily for decades. Thank you, Deidre Lang, for talking with me and I simply cannot wait to meet you in person next week and see you shine in TINA!