A Chorus Line is STAGES’s

Sensational Grand Finale

by Pat Lindsey

STAGES has chosen a timeless musical about acceptance and rejection as the final production of a highly emotional theatrical season. It peeks into the lives of 17 dancers and exposes truths from their pasts that caused shock waves in 1975.

Touted by critics as “the best musical–ever,” A Chorus Line has the same appeal for audiences today as it did 47 years ago when it won a Pulitzer Prize for Drama and 9 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. With music by the late great Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban, it was destined to have a long, successful lifespan. It is the perfect choice for STAGES’s grand finale.

The dancers are desperate to be chosen for one of the eight available places in the chorus line of a Broadway show. They not only need a job to survive, but they need it to fulfill their hopes, dreams and validate their existence. Dancers in a chorus line might seem indistinguishable from one another, but when director-choreographer Zach (Danny McHugh) peers into their lives through personal interviews, we soon learn how complex and special each person is.

The curtain opens as the dancers are feverishly learning their dance steps for the audition. Their backs are to the audience and they are facing a wall of mirrors. The cast sings “I Hope I Get It” and the director’s commanding voice is heard off-stage as he counts out the steps. After the dancers have repeated the routines over and over again, Zach asks them to line up and tell him something about themselves. This creates a great deal of angst for several of the dancers who reluctantly reveal their long-held secrets. When Paul (Omar Garibay) is finally able to tell his story of being an abused gay male, Zach’s toughness softens as he steps on stage to hold Paul and allow him to cry in his arms.

During “The Music and the Mirror,” a standout solo dance performance is given by Cassie (Lauralyn McClelland), who was once romantically involved with Zach. Cassie failed at achieving stardom in L.A. and now wants to start all over again in the chorus line. Her solo dance among the mirrors is sheer star quality that is rewarded with an explosion of cheers and applause by the audience.

Despite their personal circumstances, every dancer makes it clear that dancing is their true love. Diana (Megan Elyse Fulmer) gave me chills down to my toes when she sang, “What I Did for Love.” There are many bright spots in this show where individual performers shine, but the entire company singing “One” in gold and white costumes is the show topper. No matter what sad stories have been told earlier, the members of the chorus line join together in a synchronized, joyous finale where everyone is a star.

The genius of Executive Producer Jack Lane and Artistic Director Gayle Seay have made this production of A Chorus Line a triumph. Choreography is the lifeblood of this show and special kudos go to Choreographer Dena DiGiacinto for the fabulous dance numbers that seem tailor-made for the intimate Ross Family Theater stage.

For two uninterrupted hours, the audience experiences the joys and disappointments of the dancers who are trying to stay young for just a bit longer until they achieve their dream of dancing in a Broadway show. Each of them is the reason A Chorus Line has retained its greatness. It’s so much more than “a singular sensation.” It’s the ONE to see this season.

A Chorus Line is being performed at The Ross Family Theater at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Theater now through Oct. 9. For ticket information, call 314-821-2407 or go to StagesStLouis.org.

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