Shirley MacLaine played the lead role in "Sweet Charity," Bob Fosse's 1969 debut as a film director. But the MacLaine character only appears in one brief scene in the premiere episode of FX's "Fosse/Verdon." Still, Burnsville native Laura Osnes — a Chanhassen Dinner Theatres favorite who went on to a Tony-nominated Broadway career — jumped at the chance to play the icon.

Speaking by phone from her home in New York, Osnes shared a few thoughts about the experience:

Q: How did you wind up in this production?

A: I actually auditioned for the role of [Fosse protegée and lover] Ann Reinking, which I didn't get. But later they asked me if I'd play Shirley MacLaine and I said, "Great. Cool." I was literally on the set for one day. Like, we started shooting my scene at 10:30 p.m., did it four times and wrapped by 11 p.m. I've basically got one line. It was really quick. I've got a big orange wig. You might not recognize me.

Shirley MacLaine in Bob Fosse's
Shirley MacLaine in Bob Fosse's "Sweet Charity" and Burnsville native Laura Osnes, who plays MacLaine in the FX mini-series "Fosse/Verdon."

Q: How familiar were you with Fosse and Gwen Verdon's work?

A: I did "Pippin" in high school and "Cabaret" for the Children's Theatre summer program. I had the "Fosse" soundtrack growing up. I wasn't as familiar with Gwen, but I was certainly aware of who she was.

Q: How much research and preparation do you do for a role knowing that it's going to be so small?

A: I watched clips from "Sweet Charity" and talk shows [MacLaine] did. We think of her as this larger-than-life personality, but in those interviews, she could be understated and sarcastic. I had to figure out which version to bring to this one line. Thomas Kail, the director, was so busy looking at the big picture, I didn't want to bother him, but Andy Blankenbuehler, who directed me in "The Boys Are Back — Bandstand" on Broadway was on hand to do the choreography for [the song] "Big Spender." I found him and asked how I should approach it. Should I walk in like I own the place? Should I have a limp because I'm sore from rehearsals? He said to just walk in with respect toward Gwen Verdon, so that's what I did. When you're on stage, you get a month of rehearsal to figure out who the character is. In TV, you just do it.