Riverside Theatre's A CHORUS LINE Begins Tonight

Riverside Theatre, led by Producing Artistic Director/CEO Allen D. Cornell and Managing Director/COO Jon R. Moses, present the ground-breaking, blockbuster musical, A CHORUS LINE, which performs on the Stark Stage from tonight, January 5 to 24, 2016. A CHORUS LINE is sponsored by Mrs. Bobbie Olsen and Riverside Theatre's Patron Producers' Group.

Winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, A CHORUS LINE is one of the longest-running musicals in Broadway history. This stunning musical follows a group of dancers as they strive to get cast in a Broadway show by laying their talent and life experiences on the line. Filled with compelling drama, exceptional dance and featuring a superb score by Marvin Hamlisch with such classics as "I Can Do That," "What I Did For Love," " At The Ballet," and "One", A CHORUS LINE truly is a singular sensation.

When A CHORUS LINE opened at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway on July 25, 1975, it became an unprecedented commercial and critical hit. With 6,137 performances, A CHORUS LINE was the longest-running Broadway musical when it closed in April 1990. It was surpassed by Cats in 1997, but is still one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history.

The musical was formed from several taped workshop sessions where dancers shared their experiences of auditioning and performing. Originally hosted by dancers Michon Peacock and Tony Stevens, the first taped session occurred in January 26, 1974. Michael Bennett was invited to join the group, but quickly took control of the proceedings.

A CHORUS LINE opened Off-Broadway at The Public Theater on April 15, 1975. At the time, the Public did not have enough money to finance the production so it borrowed $1.6 million to produce the show.

Directed and choreographed by Bennett, the show created such a stir of anticipation among the theatrical community that the entire limited run sold out long before opening night. Demand for tickets was such that the show moved uptown to Broadway's Shubert Theatre, where it remained for fifteen years. Revenue from the many worldwide productions, both professional and amateur, has been a steady source of income for The Public.

The Public has served as a launching pad for many successful Broadway shows. Fifty-four productions that began life at The Public have moved on to Broadway including: That Championship Season; The Pirates of Penzance; Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk; The Normal Heart; the 2015 Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Fun Home, and Broadway's newest sensation, Hamilton.

Riverside Theatre's production will be directed and choreographed by Broadway veteran Mitzi Hamilton, one of the performers in the original taped sessions and a performer in the Broadway and London productions for over 10 years.

The A CHORUS LINE cast includes: Justin Bergson (Mark), Tom Berlund (Zach), Lindsey Bliven (Vicki), Christian Bufford (Butch), Natalie Kaye Clater (Diana), Caley Crawford (Lois), John J. Dempsey (Roy), Brian Dillon (Tom), Meaghan Foy (Val), Megan Elyse Fulmer (Tricia), Robb Gibbs (Greg), Samantha Cho Grossman (Connie), Jordan Fife Hunt (Paul), Emily Grace Kersey (Kristine), Adam Lendermon (Larry), Elliot Marach (Bobby), Scott Shedenhelm (Mike), Donald C. Shorter Jr. (Richie), Christine Cornish Smith (Sheila), Bronwyn Tarboton (Maggie), Dayna Tietzen (Cassie), Nick Varricchio (Al), Kelsey Walston (Bebe), Michael Warrell (Don), Jake Weinstein (Frank), and Caitlin Wilayto (Judy)

The design and production crew includes: Jordan Fife Hunt (Assistant Choreographer), Ken Clifton (Music Director), James Dardenne (Scenic Designer), Andrew F. Griffin (Lighting Designer), Kurt Alger (Costume Supervisor), Craig Beyrooti (Sound Designer), Mark Johnson (Production Stage Manager) and Amy M. Bertacini (Assistant Production Stage Manager). Casting was done in New York City by Wojcik / Seay Casting.

A CHORUS LINE performs January 5 - 24, 2016 on the Stark Stage at Riverside Theatre. Performances are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 7:30pm; Opening Night (the first Tuesday performance), Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm; with matinees on Wednesdays, select Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets start at $35. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 772-231-6990 or online at www.riversidetheatre.com.

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