A Chorus Line

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Today I am grateful for the musical, A Chorus Line.  Last night we saw the production at Muhlenberg College as part of their summer series and it was fantastic. I love dancing. Especially good dancing, and tap dancing, and ballet and jazz and, well. . . any dancing.  And I love singing.  Good singing.  And I love good acting and well defined characters.  Last night’s production had it all.

A long time ago (1976), in my very first production of George M, the choreographer told me that often the audiences eye would be drawn to a chorus member if they were focused and stood out.  I love that.  I strove for that when I was buried in the back in whatever production.  But the whole premise of A Chorus Line is that the requirement is to NOT stand out, to not draw the eye, to not pull focus to yourself.  Wow!  Expecting that of people who are out there to show themselves off is the biggest acting job of all time.

When we left the theater last night and drove home in natures stormy light-show, I had no idea I would be writing about the show we saw today so I didn’t even bring the program home.  I can’t give you the names of the stand-out performers, but I can say that a girl who looked a little plainer and out of place, blew me away in the trio number.  The tap dance solo was spectacular.  Cassie’s dance number was wonderful.  The live music accompanying everyone was Broadway quality. 

The lighting was spectacular, especially when the designer used hot pink from one side and green from the other, giving everyone upstage a harlequin look.  Loved that.  The only glitch I had in the casting was the character who portrayed the Director/Choreographer who guides the “audition” from off-stage for most of the show.  He was a fabulous actor and dancer, but for me, it didn’t work that he had had a relationship with Cassie.  I felt none of the push-pull, sexual energy, the conflict that’s necessary between the two of them.  They didn’t seem to go together at all.  It was a small glitch in an otherwise stellar production.

A Chorus Line is usually advertised with pictures of the glitzy closing number so I’ve heard people were disappointed when they realize it’s all done on a bare stage, literally during an audition.  Auditions are grueling to be part of, but this one was a pure pleasure to watch.  How can you deny the music of Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics of Edward Kleban?

            “. . .Kiss today goodbye, and point me t’ward tomorrow.

            We did what we had to do. 

Won’t forget! Can’t regret

                                    What I did for love. . .”

Those lyrics in the big take-away number, perfectly performed last night, left me a blubbering mess.  I am grateful that A Chorus Line, at Muhlenberg College, took me there.