Hello, everybody! I’m J. C. Long, author of Broadway Babe. First I really want to thank the great people here at Love Bytes for having me on! Today I’ve brought you a special interview with Tate O’Connor, dancer extraordinaire and MC of Broadway Babe, conducted by none other than his show’s fabulous leading lady, Annabelle Hutch! I hope you enjoy!
An Interview With the Dirty Dancer, Tate O’Connor
By Annabelle Hutch
Tate settles in across from Annabelle, fidgeting a bit. Annabelle sits across from him, glasses perched on her button nose and a recorder in her hand.
TATE: Annabelle, why are you wearing glasses?”
ANNABELLE: They look dignified.
TATE: Do they even have lenses in them?
ANNABELLE: Don’t ruin the moment, Tate!
TATE: Just one more time, real quick, about the title? I don’t think that calling me a dirty dancer is going to summon the image that you think it will. Makes me sound like I work for Chip’n’Dales.
ANNABELLE: Okay! [loud throat clear] Let’s get started. I’m going to ask you some questions, and then we’re going to submit this to Broadway.com and my journalism career will take off! I’ll be the first Broadway actress-slash-producer-slash-director-slash-reporter!
TATE: This is a terrible idea.
ANNABELLE: Shut up and smile for your interview.
TATE: It’s not a camera interview.
ANNABELLE: Smile anyway! Now, here’s the first question: Boxers or briefs?
TATE: I don’t think Broadway.com would—
ANNABELLE: Why are you being difficult, Tate? Just answer the question!
TATE: Fine. Boxer briefs, I guess.
ANNABELLE: Intriguing. Any particular color you enjoy more than others?
TATE: [impatient] Red. Can we get off my underwear?
ANNABELLE: What about Mike? Which do you think he is?
TATE: Enough about underwear!
ANNABELLE: Okay, okay. Why theatre. What about it calls to you?
TATE: The joy of performance. I love the feeling of being on stage, just…dancing. I’m sure you feel this about singing, too—it’s a completely pure expression of feeling, thought and emotion.
ANNABELLE: I totally get that. You’re one with the song, one with the music and one with the audience, all at once. That’s a lot of oneness.
TATE: Yeah, yeah it is.
ANNABELLE: On a scale of one to ten, how hot is Mike Chang?
TATE: Annabelle… fine. He’s a ten. Definitely a ten.
ANNABELLE: You are NOT lying. So, do you ever worry about how tight-fitting the dance outfits are?
TATE: No, I’m used to it. I’ve been dancing since I was young.
ANNABELLE: What you’re saying is you’re a master at dealing with inconvenient erections.
TATE: [sputters] What?
ANNABELLE: What do you admire most about Mike Chang?
TATE: You’re asking an awful lot of questions about Mike.
ANNABELLE: [scoffs] Of course I am! He’s a star—you’re…well, you’re not. Yet. I meant to finish with yet. Now answer the question.
TATE: I admire his dedication. If you see him perform, then you know he’s literally putting everything he has into it. That’s not easy to do.
ANNABELLE: So it’s his performance you admire? Not his dimple? Not his adorable smile? Not his strong arms or his great butt?
TATE: Okay, Annabelle, I think we’re done here. [Gets up to go]
ANNABELLE: Wait, wait. I have one more question! It’s the last one, I swear!
TATE: [reluctant sigh] Fine. What?
ANNABELLE: Top or bottom? [Tate walks out] Hey, Tate! Come back! I’m just kidding! I’ll ask real questions, I swear. Damn it. Yeah, he’s totally a bottom.
BLURB:
Tate O’Connor has worked hard to realize his dream of dancing on Broadway, and it’s about to pay off with a premier in his first show. He doesn’t expect the distraction of sharing the stage with his celebrity crush: Broadway superstar Mike Chang. Drama ensues both onstage and off as Tate and Mike work closely and realize there could be something between them. However, there are those who don’t think an up-and-coming dancer is good enough for someone with Mike’s talent and fame, and rumors and misunderstandings might lead to broken hearts if Tate and Mike can’t work through their confusion and insecurity.
BUY LINKS:
J.C. Long is an American expat living in Japan, though he’s also lived stints in Seoul, South Korea—no, he’s not an Army brat; he’s an English teacher. He is also quite passionate about Welsh corgis and is convinced that anyone who does not like them is evil incarnate. His dramatic streak comes from his lifelong involvement in theater. After living in several countries aside from the United States, J. C. is convinced that love is love, no matter where you are, and is determined to write stories that demonstrate exactly that.
His favorite things in the world are pictures of corgis, writing, and Korean food (not in that order… okay, in that order). J. C. spends his time not writing thinking about writing, coming up with new characters, attending Big Bang concerts, and wishing he were writing. The best way to get him to write faster is to motivate him with corgi pictures. Yes, that is a veiled hint.