Donna McKechnie reveals secrets about "Turkey Lurkey Time" & A Chorus Line at Tony Awards

Half Time star Donna McKechnie looks back on two of the most epic Tony Awards performances of all time: Promises, Promises and A Chorus Line.

[@chiedu90069]

One of the greatest artists to ever grace the stage. And listen to how intelligent and articulate she is - she's not just a dancer or singer or an actress (and she's all three!!!!!). She understands everything she's doing and why she's doing it.

[@spjw2566]

I hope young theatre fans today know who this is....Donna McKechnie is a legend!

[@raniablaik6063]

Easily the best dancer in Broadway history and she still seems so humble. She celebrates the team around her and the show. Her love of the theater is so beautiful.

[@piercemn1]

No dear, as great as she is, the best dancers in Broadway history are Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera!

[@honormccullough3559]

definitely one of the greatest!! up there with ann reinking and gwen verdon!

[@stevielagan1948]

@@piercemn1 Donna is incredible, though. One of, if not THE, very best.

[@brentchavis9016]

Sorry, Donna was no joke, but Anne Reinking was untouchable.

[@jocelyndickman1374]

She will always love Michael Bennett. The dancing and choreography in Turkey Lurkey Time wouldn't be there if Donna hadn't been so incredible but she made it not about her.

[@brucecoleman5379]

There is something so FEROCIOUS in the way she attacks and lands every moment. Nobody like her.

[@Nehmi]

The first time I saw this in Camp I was so enthralled with the energy. Then I saw the original years later and was blown away.

[@doxma33]

For dance:100. For being a lovely, humble STAR: also 100. There’s nobody like Donna McKechnie.

[@spence147]

I feel like Ms McKechnie is an old friend! Wonderful actor!

[@tracer740]

... and her dance moves ain't too bad, either.

[@trigger90069]

Donna McKechnie is an icon. What an amazing performer.

[@Gobi512]

I love Turkey Lurkey....the choreography, the music, the hairdos and dresses. It's so much fun!

[@DorisDayFanatic]

I LOVE Donna McKechnie!

[@BalletBabyBoy]

She is a good friend...I just love her

[@jessiedoggie1]

Donna, I wish I could see you at the Paper Mill Playhouse. My wife and I used to go there often when we lived in Upper Montclair. But that was light years ago. We've been out West for 30 years now and our annual NYC trip was last September. The first Broadway play we went to together was Promises Promises, which we saw around Christmas time 1968, You will always be my Turkey Lurkey girl. Btw, you're a great singer as well as a great dancer.

[@folliesfanatic]

Donna, you simply are the best! Love from your Joe's in San Fran

[@joyj1219]

She’s aged so gracefully, so beautiful.

[@pam0626]

These oral histories are priceless and Donna McKechnie is the best dancer ever to grace the boards, IMO.

[@laurenceesposito3393]

I have always admired her work - thank God a good bit of it is here and there was nothing like seeing her live. Company was something else as well!!!

[@TheKitty1952]

I'm a late fan to Donna's audience. Our local choir was introduced to "Turkey Lurkey Time", and the rest is history. I can't make lunches without singing that song now! You are a special talent.

[@kallen868]

I had the pleasure of seeing Donna in Chorus Line and State Fair. Amazing talent!

[@intothewoods_dave]

Donna McKechnie is brilliant. I love her.

[@HeadoftheSeniorClass-en6qp]

LOVED hearing Donna McKechnie's own take on her work. The video's music was like an annoying fly you want to swat, but you could still hear her well enough. Bravo!

[@BalletBabyBoy]

She is a good friend and a great lady of the theatre

[@kellycoleman715]

A Broadway legend and icon. What an incredibly talented dancer.

[@jimjimmyjames59]

There are a few old Hullabaloo clips on here. You can't take your eyes off of Ms. McKechnie! Her precision and timing are impeccable. There's a reason she was the perfect Cassie.

[@JackMason-oq8lf]

Yeah.... Cassie. I'd say Donna knew that character in and out.

[@jochenstossberg5427]

I wish she would go on and on! She seems totally charming. What a fabulous number. There's only one perfect version of this number - and this is it, and largely because she's in it. She's electrifying. It was never as good anywhere as it was on Broadway. And the revival was dreadful!! The clip from Chorus line is fabulous too. Made me teary. She was a truly wonderful dancer. Why is there no great dance on Broadway now? It's so sad. Broadway shows that are thrilling in New York somehow get diminished when they go to London too she's so right. What is that all about? It's weird.

[@johnflynn9619]

Donna is the Greatest Dancer to grace Broadway. Michael Bennett was Magnificent. RIP

[@kurtjackberhalter1537]

Great numbers!

[@biav]

she's the absolute best!!! 💖💖💖

[@fakerating]

Turkey Lurkey Time really leaves you breathless....

[@JamesBrown-ij1px]

LOVE Donna McKechnie! 🥰

[@hahaheeheehub]

You were just Magical! No one has ever been able to reach your heights.

[@poetmistress2009]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@orlandocordova8818]

WOW! 😌!

[@MrHowzabout]

Wonderful woman. I was lucky to see her in London in the 90's in a small and quirky musical adaptation of the movie 'No way to treat a lady'. It was about a serial killer, pursued by a Jewish detective. Both had overbearing mothers. Ms. McKechnie played multiple roles as the various victims. I believe there were just 4 or 5 in the cast. I have never forgotten this strange little show, a perfect 'small' musical.

[@echeleteich3347]

I agree....

[@deanadiedrich9304]

Hey Donna, what about Hullabaloo???

[@whyyyyou]

Very interesting interview. Donna pinpoints exactly what I for one actually don't like about the 1969 Tony Awards performance:it's way too fast & frenetic. I like the version of Turkey Lurkey Time Donna did with Valarie Pettiford, Jane Lanier & Sandahl Bergman alot better. Same choreography but done at a more relaxed pace.

[@thewkovacs316]

i just want to know how the dancers kept up to bennett's choreography in heels without having multiple injuries

[@tvaud]

They always leave out her Tick Tock dance from Company.

[@waldolydecker8118]

understandable....who's going to adequately replicate it?

[@JackMason-oq8lf]

Tick Tock was the first version of the Music and the Mirror.

[@jessiedoggie1]

Donald Trump said that he used to go out dancing with Donna but that she couldn't keep up with him.

[@barbiecrocker7420]

Hahahah! He’s such a liar