Review: A CHORUS LINE at Times Union Theater

"Nobody got into this business to play it safe." The perfect description of the stress put on individuals in show business. A Chorus Line represents the story of dancers in 1975, many of whom are looking to break out onto the Broadway stage. Each dancer was asked to give a brief description of themselves. Some stories left the audience laughing hysterically. Some stories left them heartbroken, but all achieved the impact of the journey these dancers would take to make it to the stage. The performance was incredible and brought light to the performers who are not always in the spotlight.

A Chorus Line portrays the dancers in the chorus. This being said, it was slightly apparent that there was a focus on the actors and actresses dancing abilities, rather than musical talent. All the dance numbers were breathtaking and showcased their superb dancing abilities. The most memorable sequence was "Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love". Each character had the chance to tell their history of dance. Whether it was dancing at a young age, or coping with instances in their past, each expressed themselves through dances that symbolized them as characters. From the beginning, the audience knew it would be a dance centered show, which means singing sometimes took a back seat. Though it was apparent that some of the singing numbers would not be as strong, the most iconic songs remained a favorite for the audience. "What I Did for Love" performed by Diana, played by Oriana Hilliard as well as the company, was a crowd favorite. The performance summed up why these artists become artists to begin with and rounded out the show perfectly.

Many theatre fans, including myself, will attend shows because of the names contributed, or the music, etc. However, the chorus line is sometimes forgotten. The show truly embodied the stress put on these artists. "I Hope I Get It" was a great representation as each character waited anxiously to know if they made it through the first round of auditions and how each was ready to break into the spotlight of Broadway. However, the relief does not last long as they find out only four females and four males will be cast. The audience is engaged in the show so much that they begin to empathize with the characters. The process becomes more complicated when relationships are involved, for example Zach the director, and Cassie one of the dancers. Cassie, played by Madison Tinder, did an incredible job of describing the desire for a job knowing the complications of a past relationship with Zach, performed by Noah Bridgestock. These artists put in so much time and energy into auditioning for these shows and practicing their hardest. They deserve all the recognition for their hard work.

A Chorus Line is a classic musical that will be appreciated by all audience members. It is a pleasure to get a behind the scenes look of an audition process and the joy of those who make it through. A Chorus Line celebrates the diversity and talent of all artist and will by enjoyed for years to come.

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