A Chorus Line
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A Chorus Line is a Broadway musical that opened at the Shubert Theatre July 25, 1975 and closed there April 28, 1990 after 6,137 performances. It held the distinction of being the longest running show on Broadway until it was surpassed by CATS.
The show was conceived, directed, and choreographed by Michael Bennett, with music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban. The book was assembled by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante. It had a successful Off-Broadway run at the Public Theatre before opening on Broadway.
A Chorus Line also toured successfully, including a run at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.
The setting is a theatre on Broadway in New York. Young hopefuls are auditioning for a job as a gypsy in the chorus line of a musical. The show gives a glimpse into the various personalities of the performers and the choreographer. Highlights include the songs "One," "Nothing," "Montage," and "What I Did For Love."
A Chorus Line dominated the Tony Awards in 1975, winning almost every award given for a Broadway musical, including Best Musical, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Score, Best Lighting and Best Choreographer. It also won the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for drama, one of the few musicals ever to receive this honor.
Musical Numbers
Opening: I Hope I Get It
I Can Do That
At the Ballet
Sing!
Montage, Part 1: Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love
Montage, Part 2: Mother
Montage: Part 3, Gimme the Ball
Nothing
Dance: Ten; Looks: Three
The Music and the Mirror
One
What I Did for Love
One (Reprise)/Finale
Motion picture adaptation
In 1985, a movie version, A Chorus Line, was released by Columbia Pictures starring Michael Douglas as the choreographer, Zach.
It was adapted for the screen by Arnold Schulman and directed by Richard Attenborough. The film was controversial as many changes were made when the play was produced into a film, i.e. the homosexual elements in the original stage version, were toned down for the film.
