Although he was solely known as "other Asian" for a long stretch of time thanks to Sue Sylvester, Mike Chang has quickly emerged as "Glee's" best male dancer. But actor Harry Shum Jr. has been flaunting that fancy footwork on the big and small screen for years.
Now, his passion project -- Legion of Extraordinary Dancers -- is getting its biggest break to date as it has snagged the choice gig of opening for New Directions on "Glee's" sold-out summer tour!
With the first performance less than five days away, I rang up Harry to talk about the union of his two biggest projects, his favorite "Glee" moments and what it's like dancing alongside Beyonce.
PopWrap: What was your reaction when you found out LXD would be touring with "Glee" this summer?
Harry Shum Jr.: It’s really exciting and kind of like worlds colliding. But to have everyone see this tour will be amazing.
PW: How involved are you with designing LXD's opening choreography?
Harry: I’m heavily involved in the creative with choreographer Christopher Scott. I go to rehearsals with "Glee" and then practice with LXD till about midnight. So all I've been doing is working and sleeping.
PW: Any plans to integrate the two groups on stage?
Harry: I think for now we’re going to keep it separate and have both do their own thing. But I think they go hand-in-hand in terms of creating art. That’s what’s so great about them choosing LXD. They could have had an opening band but I think it’s going to be a much different show having elements of LXD in it.
PW: You guys got the word that LXD would be joining the show kind of late in the game -- how does that impact the creative process?
Harry: It’s a little more brain power involved. It’s not just a 20-minute set, but to do it in however many days we have left. If we had more time, it’d be a little more laid back, but I love doing this. I love being on all sides of the show – being the scenes, on the stage, in camera. This is what I love, even though I’m tired, I will keep pushing.
PW: When you started out, was acting the long-term goal?
Harry: Yes, that's always been my goal. When I came into the industry I started with acting and I did drama during junior high and high school. I fell into dancing as a hobby, but whenever you need work, you try out different things. So I booked a lot of jobs for dancing and it kept rolling and rolling. I love integrating both, but I also want to do projects that have nothing to do with dance.
PW: Aside from "Glee" and LXD, you've had some pretty impressive experiences on stage. What jumps to mind as a favorite?
Harry: I remember the first time I felt that I was sharing the stage with someone spectacular was dancing with Beyonce. It was the dancers, the band, Beyonce and me in front of thousands of people. That was sick. It was pretty amazing that I got to travel the world with someone like her. Thirty years in the future, I’ll be able to look back and know that I danced with a legend.
PW: And what about on "Glee," any favorite moments?
Harry: The boys mash-up was a lot of fun because we got to, instead of just dance, act really strung out. But I remember shooting ["Jump"] on the mattresses was the first time it really hit the entire cast, "Wow, we're filming a TV show!"
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