Podcast Summary: MickeyJoTheatre – Interview with Olivier Award Nominee Fabian Aloise

Release Date: May 4, 2025

In this engaging episode of MickeyJoTheatre, host Mickey-Jo delves deep into the illustrious career of Fabian Aloise, an Olivier Award-nominated choreographer renowned for his work on major productions such as Sunset Boulevard, Evita, and Much Ado About Nothing. With a dynamic conversation spanning over twenty-three minutes, the interview uncovers Fabian's journey from a dancer to a celebrated choreographer, his creative collaborations, and his aspirations for future projects.

1. Welcoming Fabian Aloise

Mickey-Jo kicks off the episode by warmly welcoming Fabian Aloise to the stage, highlighting his impressive portfolio:

[00:00] A: "Please welcome to the stage, Olivier Award nominee Fabian Aloise."

He underscores Fabian's extensive work, mentioning major productions across various esteemed theaters:

[00:00] A: "Who saw the Olivier Award-winning revival of Sunset Boulevard? Who saw SpongeBob SquarePants on tour? ... Evita, Regent's Park, Open Air Theatre, Much Ado About Nothing at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, all of the aforementioned and more."

2. Diverse Choreographic Styles and Influences

Mickey-Jo commends Fabian on his ability to handle diverse styles and choreography across different productions, prompting Fabian to discuss his early influences:

[00:38] B: "They're very expensive tickets. I'm very impressed."

Fabian reminisces about his time working with Anne Reinking in the Fosse style, emphasizing the lessons he learned about stepping forward and taking creative risks:

[01:03] B: "I remember her saying, you know, you need to step forward more in life because no one's going to give you anything if you don't ask for it."

3. Transition from Dancer to Choreographer

The conversation shifts to Fabian's transition from dancing to choreography. Mickey-Jo is intrigued by what motivated this shift, and Fabian provides a candid account of his journey:

[02:20] A: "What was the journey like for you, going into choreography and knowing that was something you wanted to do?"

Fabian shares how early skepticism about choreography turned into a passion after establishing his own company and receiving positive feedback:

[02:20] B: "I was very lucky to premiere a company of working at Southwark Playhouse ... people started to like my work. ... I was hooked. I wanted to do it."

4. Creative Partnership with Jamie Lloyd

A significant portion of the interview delves into Fabian's collaboration with director Jamie Lloyd. They discuss how their creative synergy has led to iconic productions like Evita and Sunset Boulevard:

[06:04] A: "Was Evita the first?"

[06:04] B: "The very first time I worked with Jamie Lloyd was at the 24-hour musical."

Fabian recounts their spontaneous meeting and how it blossomed into a fruitful creative partnership:

[04:27] B: "He came down to the canteen and said, I need a choreographer... we hit it off and ... that was our first kind of proper working together as co-collaborators."

5. Reinventing Classic Musicals

Fabian and Mickey-Jo explore the intricacies of reinventing classic musicals. Fabian explains how he and Jamie aim to honor original productions while infusing fresh, contemporary elements to resonate with new audiences:

[06:26] B: "We deconstruct it completely and reanalyze it whilst still knowing that we have to pay homage to what it was."

Using Evita as a case study, Fabian discusses their approach to reimagining iconic elements to reflect modern influences:

[06:26] B: "We started to question what was an icon... Beyonce's Homecoming... developing the homecoming stairs into kind of like the steps of the Casa Rosada."

6. Broadway Success with Sunset Boulevard

The episode highlights Fabian's Broadway debut with the revival of Sunset Boulevard. He shares the challenges and triumphs of bringing a London success to the New York stage:

[09:41] A: "Is that on your radar when that's happening, or are you trying not to think about it?"

Fabian reflects on the overwhelming reception and the cultural differences between London and New York theater scenes:

[10:18] B: "New York embraced us as much as London did. ... it's like there's no comparing it to another city."

7. Memorable Choreographic Moments

Fabian discusses his favorite moments from his productions, highlighting specific choreography that stands out for its creativity and execution:

[12:31] A: "Do you have a particular favorite part of the show?"

[12:52] B: "I love working with Hannah and developing the character of young Norma... She's mesmerizing."

He elaborates on the meticulous process of choreographing intricate dance sequences, such as the ensemble moments in Sunset Boulevard and the vibrant dance parties in Much Ado About Nothing.

8. Reflections on Past Projects and Future Aspirations

Mickey-Jo inquires about Fabian's most cherished projects and those he'd like to revisit. Fabian expresses a fondness for Bring It On and his experiences at the Edinburgh Fringe:

[17:37] B: "Bring It On... watching Cross the Line... every single stunt landed, and the audience just stood up on its feet."

When asked about future projects, Fabian emphasizes his desire to work on new, original content rather than reimagining established classics:

[21:54] B: "I think new stuff is really, really exciting... giving audiences new material... I think I'm gonna stick with the new. New stuff."

9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the interview wraps up, Mickey-Jo praises Fabian's contributions to theater and his innovative approach to choreography. Fabian shares his enthusiasm for continued creativity and pushing the boundaries of theatrical dance.

[23:01] A: "Good answer."

[23:02] B: "Good answer."

Mickey-Jo thanks Fabian for his time, encouraging listeners to subscribe to the MickeyJoTheatre YouTube channel for more insightful interviews and theatrical critiques.

Notable Quotes:

• Fabian Aloise on Taking Creative Risks:

  "You need to step forward more in life because no one's going to give you anything if you don't ask for it."
  [01:03] B

• Fabian on Reinventing Classics:

  "We deconstruct it completely and reanalyze it whilst still knowing that we have to pay homage to what it was."
  [06:26] B

• Fabian on Broadway vs. London:

  "New York embraced us as much as London did. ... it's like there's no comparing it to another city."
  [10:18] B

• Fabian on Favorite Choreographic Moments:

  "I love working with Hannah and developing the character of young Norma... She's mesmerizing."
  [13:42] B

• Fabian on Future Projects:

  "I think new stuff is really, really exciting... giving audiences new material... I think I'm gonna stick with the new. New stuff."
  [21:54] B

This episode of MickeyJoTheatre offers a comprehensive look into Fabian Aloise's artistic journey, his collaborative spirit, and his unwavering passion for creating innovative theater experiences. Whether you're a theater enthusiast or a budding choreographer, Fabian's insights provide valuable inspiration for anyone passionate about the performing arts.