The untold story behind the making of a chorus line. Conceived and originally directed and choreographed by michael bennett. Check out photos of a chorus line at signature theatre playbill. A chorus line examines one day in the lives of seventeen dancers, all vying for a spot in the chorus line of a broadway musical. About a chorus line a chorus line is a musical with music by marvin hamlisch, lyrics by edward kleban and a book by james kirkwood, jr. He went on to produce dreamgirls, and, on londons west end, choreographed follies, martin guerre, the witches of eastwick, miss. A chorus line, the biggest broadway hit of its generation, is returning to times square in a major fall 2006 revival.
After the first round of cuts, zach, the director and choreographer, asks each dancer to speak about themselves. Nicholas dante 19411991 was an american dancer and writer, best known for having cowritten the book of the musical a chorus line. Mar 12, 2020 chorus line first appeared in 1975, a tight ship composed by marvin hamlisch, with lyric by edward kleban, book by james kirkwood and nicholas dante, and choreography by michael bennett. The screenplay by arnold schulman is based on the book of the 1975 stage production of the same name by james kirkwood jr. Apart from several tables of production data and over 300 photographs, the longest line consists mainly of interview snippets with several dozen of the cast members and production staff of a chorus line, broadways longest running musical.
In addition to a chapter on a chorus line cultural history with a guide to all the pop cultural references in the show the book includes extensive photos as well as biographical information on the casts of the major productions. Born conrado morales in new york city, dante began his career as a dancer and performer, appearing on broadway in applause, ambassador and smith, among othe. On the line the creation of a chorus line by robert viagas. James kirkwood, author of book for musical chorus line. The the fault line a cappella chorus also compete in the far western district of the barbershop harmony society. Includes as the deer, no other name, shout to the lord, and more. Original broadway production produced by the new york shakespeare festival. A chorus line available for download and read online in other formats. Nicholas dante, who won a pulitzer prize and a tony award as a coauthor of a chorus line, the longestrunning show in broadway history, died yesterday at. Psf 2020 chorus line pennsylvania shakespeare festival.
Not just the standard book and lyrics, this hard cover includes two loving tributes and a large collection of very fine stills. The show is based on a remarkable series of taped discussions made in the mid 1970s with some of the top gypsies veteran broadway dancers, many of whom went on to play characters based on themselves in the tony and pulitzerwinning musical. A chorus line jul 25, 1975 apr 28, 1990 book by nicholas dante. A chorus line tells the story of broadway dancers who bare their souls and put their lives on the line as they audition for an unnamed. The dancers auditioning for the chorus line of a new broadway show are asked to tell the director about themselves in order to land a part. A chorus line is a celebration of those unsung heroes of the broadway musical.
Because the chorus, and not one of the individual characters, delivers this message, the play ends by giving the audience a false sense of closure. Shakespeares play about the doomed romance of two teenagers from feuding families is the most famous love story ever written. If you have a username and password for this website, please use them to log in here. A chorus line a chorus line is purely and simply magnificent, capturing the very soul of our musical theatre. We can perform at corporate functions, charity events, community entertainment events, birthday parties, christmas parties, awards nights, weddings, engagements, anniversaries. A chorus line revolutionised the notion of what a musical could be, when it opened in 1975 and placed itself firmly as an icon in the echelons of music theatre, running for a mighty 15 years. Nicholas dante was born on november 22, 1941 in manhattan, new york city, new york, usa as conrado morales. Browse a chorus line music for your choir with a chorus line medleys and a chorus lines octavos and vocal scores, not to mention arrangements for concert band and other ensembles. Check out photos of a chorus line at signature theatre. A chorus line the complete book of the musical hal leonard. It is also a celebration of the american musical itself. The show is based on a remarkable series of taped discussions made in the mid 1970s with some of the top gypsies veteran broadway dancers many of whom went on to play characters based on themselves in the tony and pulitzerwinning musical.
Tens of thousands saw a chorus line by using discount coupons like this one. Val audrey landers sings about upgrading her physical attributes to improve her dancing gigs. First performed around 1596, romeo and juliet has been adapted as a ballet, an opera, the musical west side story, and a dozen films. From chorus boy to a chorus line, new book details. The book is arranged in chapters on various topics such as casting, designing, selling, and marketing the. Not just the standard book and lyrics, this hard cover includes two loving tributes and a large collection of very fine. Discomfort opens into revelation, confession leads to redemption, and within the bright, outwardly homogenous chorus, the audience begins. It is hard to believe that over 25 years have passe. Reading a chorus linethe book of the musical was a revelation and is now prominent among my broadway reference library. Special thanks to james kirkwood, nicholas dante for their book and edward kleban for his lyrics and their contribution to the music of. Contemporary and traditional favorites 9780834173408 by compiled by ken bible. Set on the bare stage of a broadway theater, the musical is centered around seventeen broadway dancers auditioning for spots on a chorus line.
Martin gottfried in case you missed a chorus line on broadway, you can still catch it between the hard covers. Seventeen dancers compete for a spot in the chorus line of a broadway show, and the drama unfolds as they perform dazzling dance. The memories of the shows birth in 1975, not to mention those of its 15yearlife and poignant death, remain incandescent and not just because nothing so exciting has happened to the american musical since. Whether you want to join the chorus, find your next opportunity to hear us perform, book us for your next event, or support us as we bring music with pride to san mateo or beyond, were glad you found us.
A chorus line is a brutally honest portrait of anonymous, interchangeable dancers. Allowing people to purchase tickets at the box office at half price, these twofers were distributed at schools, visitors centers, hotels and restaurants through the 1980s. May 10, 2020 a chorus line is a celebration of those unsung heroes of the american musical theatre. A chorus line sheet music and music books at sheet music plus. The songs were composed by marvin hamlisch and edward kleban. Theres only the flimsiest of plots an audition for a new broadway musical, culminating in the finale featuring the chosen few but the moments feel earned, and its a great. Sep 30, 2018 a chorus line is a celebration of those unsung heroes of the broadway musical. A chorus line is a musical with music by marvin hamlisch, lyrics by edward kleban, and a book by james kirkwood jr. A chorus line is a musical directed by michael bennett and cochoreographed by bennett and bob avian, with music by marvin hamlisch, lyrics by edward kleban, and a book by james kirkwood jr. Aug 01, 2006 a chorus line, the biggest broadway hit of its generation, is returning to times square in a major fall 2006 revival. Why not hire north hills harmony line chorus to entertain at your next event.
That is, the chorus makes it sound like oedipus is dead, and their final line suggests there might be some relief. A chorus line had the slimmest plot a musical had seen since on the town, but it had a hell of a great idea. The fault line a cappella chorus is a group of people all genders, ages welcome. Special thanks to james kirkwood, nicholas dante for their book and edward kleban for his lyrics and their contribution to the music of marvin hamlisch and the vision of michael bennett. May 22, 1991 nicholas dante, who won a pulitzer prize and a tony award as a coauthor of a chorus line, the longestrunning show in broadway history, died yesterday at st. The songs were composed by marvin hamlisch and edward kleban the film was released theatrically on december, 1985 by columbia. Centred on seventeen broadway dancers auditioning for spots on a chorus line, the musical is set on the bare stage of a broadway theatre during an audition for a musical. A chorus line provides a glimpse into the personalities of the. He went on to produce dreamgirls, and, on londons west end, choreographed follies, martin guerre, the witches of eastwick, miss saigon and sunset boulevard.
A chorus line oct 05, 2006 aug 17, 2008 book by nicholas dante. In one powerhouse number after another, the tensions and expectations of these dedicated artists converge in a brilliant mix of song, dance, and compelling drama. When they arrived at a taping session led by michael bennett in january of 1974, all they had to do was answer a few questions about their lives. Read romeo and juliet here, with sidebyside no fear translations into modern english. A chorus line is a celebration of those unsung heroes of the american musical theatre. James kirkwood, a novelist, actor and playwright who was a coauthor of the book for the broadway musical a chorus line, died yesterday in his apartment in manhattan. Chorus line, a synopsis broadway musical the play shows the selection of candidates for some kind of dance performance combining the group of 4 men and the same number of women who are selected from all present. Leaf coneybear in the 25th annual putnam county spelling bee. You can also shop other broadway music including music from les miserables and the phantom of the opera. Fun fact rumor has it the name a chorus line was chosen so it would appear first in the new york times alphabetical list of theatre offerings. In 1976 he received the tony award, the drama desk award for outstanding book of a musical, and the pulitzer prize for drama for his work on a chorus line.
A chorus line illuminates the ambitions of ensemble dancers in the final chorus audition for an upcoming broadway show. Chorus line first appeared in 1975, a tight ship composed by marvin hamlisch, with lyric by edward kleban, book by james kirkwood and nicholas dante, and choreography by michael bennett. A dancer and cochoreographer for the wnba phoenix mercury, his expertise led to becoming a choreographer for the nhl arizona coyotes and establishing their first onice dance team performance. Ibdb internet broadway database archive is the official database for broadway. Its rare that a musical translates well on page there tends to be a feeling of the work being half finished and while a chorus line would be the better with the inclusion of dance numbers, the book stands on its own merits. Original broadway production produced by the new york shakespeare festival, joseph papp, producer, in association with plum productions, inc. Apr 22, 1989 james kirkwood, a novelist, actor and playwright who was a coauthor of the book for the broadway musical a chorus line, died yesterday in his apartment in manhattan. Avian shared a tony award with bennett for their work on a chorus line, the show that reinvented the broadway musical in the 1970s. The creation of a chorus line by robert viagas 1990, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Reading a chorus line the book of the musical was a revelation and is now prominent among my broadway reference library. For forty years, congenial people of good character have been ringing out the glorious sounds of barbershop harmony. Allowing people to purchase tickets at the box office at half price, these twofers were distributed at schools, visitors centers, hotels and restaurants through the.
It is hard to believe that over 25 years have passed since a chorus line first electrified a new york audience. From the opening number in which they singly and collectively declare their desperation for the job, their. A chorus line a selected bibliography compiled by william mckay. Discomfort opens into revelation, confession leads to redemption, and within the bright, outwardly. The the fault line a cappella chorus is composed of men and women from san mateo county, california, who enjoy singing a cappella music in the barbershop style. We can perform at corporate functions, charity events, community entertainment events, birthday parties, christmas parties, awards nights, weddings, engagements, anniversaries, engagements, and even funerals and memorial services. A chorus line is a 1985 american musical drama film directed by richard attenborough and starring michael douglas. He was a writer, known for a chorus line 1985, a chorus line 2016 and a chorus line 1991. In 2020 darlinghurst theatre company is bringing this electrifying work back to the stage.