#streets2stage

What’s this? Another talented actor blessing your feed? Meet Larry Trice! They play Jose “Gringo” Echevarría in Back in the Day: An 80′s House Music Dancesical. We asked the following questions so you could get to know them better.

What was your first experience with house music?

My first experience with house music was my mother waking me up on a Saturday morning to help her clean with some house mix. 

What is your favorite line in the show?

People are going to expect me to say one of my own, but it’s actually Troy’s line after Belmont Rocks: “Yeah I’m Black and beautiful and I got your banana right here.”

Do you identify with your character?

I absolutely identify with most of El Gringo. I helped start and choreographed for a dance group in high school and hold ridiculously high standards for my own performances. I also am regularly referred to as the mom of my friend group, that’s what connected me to the role so quickly. I always try to make sure my friends are doing what’s best for them.

The show follows the ALLSTARS and their frenemies, the CULITOS and IMPORTED TASTE. Gringo starts the ALLSTARS, but which could you see yourself in?

I hope the ALLSTARS don’t get upset about this, but with my own personal style and training, I would absolutely be on IMPORTED TASTE.

What has been your favorite moment working with UTC on this production?

My favorite moment was when Raquel [Torre], our co-director, separated the groups and had us come up with our own choreography. Each group knew our styles well enough to come up with great stuff that was distinct but fit with the rest of the show. 

What are you most excited for people to see in Back in the Day?

I’m excited for people to see a forgotten story. This is a story that only people from the time truly know. I’m glad that others are getting the chance to experience this pocket of time in Chicago history.

What dance move do you think sums up the show or your experience working on the show?

The arm explosions that the ALLSTARS perform during the auditions sequence and during the transition into the final dance. We do different variations on that all over the place.

Say hello to Christopher Sylvie! He plays Shane Ruiz in our production of Back in the Day: An 80′s House Music Dancesical. We asked him the following questions so you could get to know him better.

What was your first experience with house music?

I think through my parents and my older brothers. They were definitely of that era and liked to have a good time.

What is your favorite line in the show?

Miss B saying, “Let me know if you want to see these Jedi powers.”

Do you identify with your character?

At first, I didn't think I had anything in common with Shane and found it quite difficult tapping into that character, but after being in his shoes I found that we have more in common than I would had thought. He just wants to have a good time and find the people that love him. Shane is always up for a party and I think that's why he follows Leach [Solís] around. He is the first person who takes him under his wing and says, "hey you can be apart of my crew." This is what makes him most happy because his family life is rough, which is where a lot of his more dark side comes from.

The show follows the ALLSTARS and their frenemies, the CULITOS and IMPORTED TASTE. Your character reps the CULITOS, but which could you see yourself in?

Oh, I feel so conflicted by this question. It's kinda like choosing which Hogwarts house you belong to. I really identify with the ALLSTARS because they are kind of like the underdogs, but I definitely see a bit of CULITOS in me too because they know how to have a good time. I think CULITOS for sure.

What has been your favorite moment working with UTC on this production?

Definitely, the friends I made. The rehearsal process was definitely a safe space for us and I love that we all hang out after shows and rehearsals. It feels like family and I love that aspect of the show the most.

What are you most excited for people to see in Back in the Day?

I am most excited for people to see the relationships between the characters. These characters all know each other in some type of way and have interesting backstories. It’s like a web, which is typical for young characters like this.

What dance move do you think sums up the show?

Definitely the California shake. The CULITOS do a lot of shaking.