Photo Flash: First Look at Surflight Theatre's A CHORUS LINE, Now Playing Through 9/14

Broadway veteran Mitzi Hamilton, one of the dancers inMichael Bennett's original developmental workshop that provided the inspiration for the character of Val in A Chorus Line, directs and choreographs the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical at Surflight Theatre, now playing through September 14.

Conceived and originally directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett, A Chorus Line has a book James Kirkwoodand Nicholas Dante, music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics byEdward Kleban. The original New York production was co-choreographed by Bob Avian.

Following an Off-Broadway run at the Public Theater, A Chorus Line opened on Broadway July 25, 1975 at the Shubert Theatre, where it played an acclaimed record-breaking 6,137 performance run. The original Broadway cast included Donna McKechnie, Kelly Bishop, Priscilla Lopez, Thommie Walsh, Baayork Lee, Wayne Cilento, Sammy Williams, and Robert LuPone. Among the ten 1976 Tony Awards the show won, McKechnie, Bishop and Williams took home Tony acting honors.

Surflight Theatre's cast features Grant Thomas Zabielski as Zach, Jena VanElslander as Cassie, Gabriella Sorrentino as Diana, Alissa LaVergne as Sheila, Robb Gibbs as Greg, Kevin Curtis as Richie, Brian Martin as Bobby, Brittany Santos as Judy, Alexander Cruz as Paul, Kara Krichman as Val,Patrick Graver as Mark, Amelia Millar as Maggie, Patrick Roberts as Larry, Christina Laschuk as Kristine, Michael Pilato as Al, Joseph Consiglio as Mike, Amanda Lynn Fannon as Bebe, Nicole Calabrese as Lois, Timothy-Michael Chastain as Roy, Shannon Garahan as Tricia, and Nicole Vernarecas Nikki.

The creative team includes Jessica Lee Goldyn as Assistant Choreographer. Nicholas Kaminski as Music Director/Conductor, with scenic design byGateway Playhouse, lights by Benjamin Weill, costumes by Scaramouche and Costume World with costume coordination by Stacey Jeungling, and sound by Mark Keeler. Liz Ann Howell is production stage manager.

Surflight Theatre is located at 201 Engleside Avenue in historic Beach Haven, NJ. A Chorus Line performs Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 8pm, with Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday matinees at 2pm. Tickets are $45 and may be purchased by calling 609-492-9477, at the Surflight Theatre Box Office, or online at www.surflight.org. Group rates available.

Photos by Jerry Dalia

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