ALONG COMES MARY

I’ve been extremely lucky to get in on some amazing opportunities on behalf of Along Comes Mary, & I think a recent afternoon at The London Hotel in West Hollywood to attend a press junket with Gena Rowlands & Cheyenne Jackson is certainly going to stand out as one of my favorite assignments yet!

In their fabulous new film, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, it finds this unlikely duo connecting to do just as the title entails. Rowlands is Lily Harrison, a retired, aging woman who has a bit of her own awakening when she decides that its time to have some fun in her life, as she knows she is not getting any younger. This leads to an unlikely relationship with dance instructor, Michael Minetti (Jackson), & we’re now on a ride of a beautiful friendship that begins as an incompatible relationship that blossoms into an intimate friendship as these two people from very different backgrounds reveal their secrets, fears, and joys while dancing the Swing, Tango, Waltz, Foxtrot, Cha-Cha, and Contemporary Dance. By the final lesson, Lily shares her most closely guarded secret and he shares his greatest gifts, his loyalty and compassion.

It was an absolute thrill to sit down with these 2 shining stars, & learn what the process behind the camera was like. Broadway Darling, Cheyenne Jackson, described to us that many of the silly moments we see in the film were not intentional at all, & you can definitely see the magic in those spontaneous scenes.

Gena Rowlands, who recently celebrated her 84th birthday & just got her hands & feet forever cemented at The Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, discussed that growing up, dancing is what you did to get out & have fun back in the day; there were dance clubs everyone gathered at to swing & socialize, so it was almost a return to form for Rowlands to be able to once again dance. There was also no hesitation that this was a role not to turn down for her, she addressed concern that roles for older women are not something you come by everyday. & Cheyenne recalled walking down the street in New York, when his Agent called to say that his other agent & manager were also on the line; “You know that’s a good thing!” he laughed, & he also was ready to sign on, as soon as he heard he would get to work alongside Rowlands.

Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, which is also a successful Broadway play that has been performed in 24 countries, is now playing in select theatres throughout the USA & prominently in Los Angeles & New York City; find show times HERE & let me know what you think of this lovely new film!

(*Disclosure: I was invited to attend a press junket for Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks. All opinions, as always, are my own.)