James T. Lane Loves Playing an African-American Billy Flynn in 'Chicago'

When actor James T. Lane saw Robert Guillaume as the Phantom of the Opera – the first African-American actor to do so – it opened his dream to be a Broadway performer. He was on his way after attending Carnegie-Mellon University and Penn State, but he tore his Achilles tendon while touring in "Fame" at 22. "The next 4 years were filled with self destruction and chaos, as I was forced to discover who I was without the bright lights of the stage," he writes at his website.

Upon recovery, he returned to the professional theater, making his Broadway debut in "A Chorus Line" in 2006, where he played Richie Walters. In the ensuing years, he has been featured in "Kiss Me, Kate," "King Kong the Musical," "Chicago," and "The Scottsboro Boys" (Broadway and London). He was part of the road companies of "Ain't Too Proud" and "Jersey Boys," as well as numerous regional productions, including "Guys and Dolls," where he played Nicely Nicely, "Mary Poppins" (as Bert), and "The Wiz" (the Tin Man.) He also created and performed "Triple Threat, a Play That Moves and Sings."

Next up for Lane is his return to the long-running Broadway revival of "Chicago," where he plays lawyer Billy Flynn. He is joined in the cast by "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars" winner Jinkx Monsoon who plays Mistress Morton.

EDGE spoke to Lane about his love of theater, returning to "Chicago," and working with Jinkx Monsoon.

EDGE: How did you discover theatre and music?

James T. Lane: I grew up in the age of Michael Jackson. On my first day in kindergarten, they played a Michael Jackson song, and I taught the entire class some Michael Jackson dance moves from his "Off the Wall" album. My teacher, Ms. Preston, said, "I think we got something here."

EDGE: What excites you about storytelling through song?

James T. Lane: A great song tells a story that has a beginning and an end. What I love about singing is that you take the listener on a journey, and through the song you discover those beautiful little moments within. That is always the goal for me, to just really discover those moments. I love when I'm working on the song, and I get it to a point at which it feels new and exciting, and when the listener can hear it and feel it.

EDGE: Billy Flynn. What a great role! Was this a dream role for you?

James T. Lane: Absolutely, a dream role. I was in the ensemble off and on for 10 years. I have watched the best of the best perform the role. I just knew someday that I was going to get it. I left the show in 2018 for creative responsibility, but I vowed if I ever get the chance to do "Chicago" the musical again on the Broadway stage, I would.

EDGE: This isn't your first time in performing in "Chicago." What is it about the show that keeps you returning?

James T. Lane: It's the music of Kander and Ebb's. It is just so brilliant. Fred Ebb's lyrics keep your mind churning and your mouth full of those lyrics that are just so delightful, evil, and delicious. The tunes are classic music theater tunes, and you don't have to know the language to feel it. Bob Fosse choreography is legendary. Being a part of this show is heaven. So, yes, I'm going to keep coming back, because it feels good to be in something so deliciously historical.

EDGE: What is your unique perspective on this iconic character?

James T. Lane: I try to think what it would be like as African American slick lawyer living in 1920s Chicago at the top of his game. I must be really slick to have that kind of success. I love the fact that I am placing my African Americanism back in that time and really feeling what power, is and bringing that feeling to this production. I'm bringing all of me to this role. I'm bringing all of who I am culturally, and I'm not shying away from any of those aspects. I love the African American Billy Flynn! I love that he is smooth, slick, and charismatic.

EDGE: Drag queens are having their Broadway moments. What is it like working with Jinkx Monsoon?

James T. Lane: Their style is so vaudevillian, and it fits so wonderfully well in this world. Having them in this show is a match made in musical theater heaven. They have come seamlessly into the world of "Chicago," and as they're going down the steps to make their entrance on to the stage, we share a little blow kiss, which makes the entire night magical. It's our way of connecting as the show starts.

Jinkx is funny, charismatic, and has a real knowledge of musical theater, and I really love being around that kind of energy. It's the right type of energy for going into a long-running show, and the audiences are eating it all up. The love is not just for Jinkx, it's for the art form, it's for "Chicago," and the audience is cheering for everybody. "Chicago" is booming, baby, and so is Jinx Monsoon. It's monsoon season at "Chicago" the musical.

EDGE: Choose a moment from your theatre experience that made you pinch yourself?

James T. Lane: The moment that I pinched myself was my Broadway debut playing Richard Walters in "A Chorus Line." I couldn't believe that I was there, but I knew I was there because my feet hurt from dancing. I knew I was there because I was crying, and I could hear the applause of the audience. I still don't take moments like that for granted.

EDGE: When it comes to choosing a role, which do you prefer: Originating, Reviving, or Replacing?

James T. Lane: I'm grateful for all of them, but to be quite honest I love creating a new role. When I left the ensemble of "Chicago" it was to pursue creative responsibility. We spend so much time in these spaces and places that my soul yearns for a bigger piece of the creative pie and responsibility. So, I set out to do just that, and I am happy to say I've got something coming up.

I've created a show for myself where I play 20 characters. It's in the style of John Leguizamo, Whoopi Goldberg and Lily Tomlin. It's called "Triple Threat, a Play that Moves and Sings." In 2021, I performed it at the Zeiders American Dream Theater. I can't wait to bring it to a broader audience.

EDGE: In your Instagram, @jamestlane, the tagline is about love. Why is sending out a message about love important to you?

James T. Lane: Every day, I wake up I look in the mirror and say, "Hey, beautiful man, I love you." I feel it is very important to be on your side first thing in the morning. Before you open the door and go out into that big and beautiful world that sometimes can hurt you, you need to feel love. It's the message that I'm giving to myself, and the message I want to share with others. Others need to know that they are loved. Unfortunately, the negative things in life are always shouting at us and getting all the attention in a day, so I like to remind people that in the midst of all of that, they are loved.

To see James T. Lane in "Chicago": Tickets are available in person at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W 49th St). Box office hours are Monday through Saturday 10am - 8:30pm, Sunday 12pm - 7:30pm. Tickets are also available at for more information, visit the "Chicago" website.

For more information about James T. Lane, visit his website.