York Little Theatre Presents A CHORUS LINE

A Chorus Line, opening at York Little Theatre on March 12, is Michael Bennett's brilliantly complex fusion of dance, song and compelling drama and is a celebration of the American Musical itself. It features the achingly poignant ambitions of professional Broadway Chorus performers-the over-dedicated, underpaid, highly trained, unsung heroes who back up the stars-and is a powerful metaphor for all human aspiration. It remains the longest running Broadway musical originally produced in the US, is the fourth longest running Broadway show ever, and has won every major award including a 1975 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and nine Tony Awards.

Bennett had long wanted to do a show that put the spotlight on the chorus performers known as "gypsies,"-- the unknown dancers, the faceless artists that persevere, suffering through the endless auditions and almost constant rejection that comes with a life in the Theatre. In 1974, he recorded dancers discussing their personal and professional lives and eventually pieced those stories into a libretto by playwright/novelist James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante. Academy-award winner Marvin Hamlisch was brought in to compose the music, and Edward Kleban wrote the lyrics. Bennett even brought in playwright Neil Simon who--although uncredited--added several of the great one-liners in the play. A Chorus Line would revolutionize the way audiences view musical theatre. It broke away from the rigid story line of traditional musicals, instead weaving together the stories of the ensemble cast into a seamless whole. Memorable musical numbers include "I Can Do That," "At the Ballet," "Dance: Ten; Looks: Three," "The Music and the Mirror," "What I Did for Love," "One (Singular Sensation)," and "I Hope I Get It."

A Chorus Line broke new ground technically as well, becoming the first show on Broadway to use computers in the control booth. For YLT's production, Technical Director, Bob McCleary, is creating 7 periaktoi, three-sided spinning set pieces, which will span 28' across the stage. One of the three sides will feature a highly complex lighting grid designed and programmed over the course of an entire year, by Lighting Designer Jeff Pettyjohn. The lighted wall is the iconic background for A Chorus Line and its spectacular finale.

YLT's production of A Chorus Line is directed by Chad-Alan Carr, Executive and Artistic Director of Adams County School of Musical Theatre, who jumped at the opportunity to be involved in a production of A Chorus Line for the fifth time. "I originally did this show while in college. The director was in the first National tour and we learned all the original choreography," explains Carr. "I have been in the cast of A Chorus Line twice and this is my third time directing it. This show really speaks to me as a performer. There's something about this show that really changes your life."

The ensemble cast features local performers from all around the region, including York, Carroll County, Gettysburg, Hanover, Lancaster and Harrisburg areas. "This is work we do for love," explains Carr, who himself travels from Gettysburg. "We do the show for the love of theatre." For example, Lauren Walb, owner of The School of Music and Dance in Hanover, is playing the role of Cassie, a role she has played before, and thoroughly enjoys. Mary Beth Ching of York, and Corporate Sales Manager for the York Revolution, plays Bebe; Erica Bonsall of Harrisburg is playing Maggie; and Joshua Kunkel of Lancaster is playing Greg.

A Chorus Line is also about competition, and competition might easily be The Common denominator that grabs the audience and holds it by the collective heartstring until the final chorus line is chosen. "Everyone finds a connection to this show," explains Carr. For everyone, at one time or another, puts his life on the line. We all compete, no matter what business we're in, for promotion, for attention, for approval and for love.

Performances are on March 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 at 8 p.m. and March 14, 21 and 28 at 3 p.m. A Chorus Line is part of YLT's 2009-2010 Columbia Gas Season and is sponsored by J.N. Nath's USA Inc. Tickets are $10 - $20. More information and tickets are available by calling the box office at 717-854-5715, 11 - 6, Monday through Friday, or visiting www.ylt.org.

York Little Theatre is a nonprofit community theatre which values and nurtures the irreplaceable role of the arts and is dedicated to engaging and enriching its entire, diverse community in the dramatic arts through a broad range of professionally directed, entertaining, stimulating, and sometimes provocative performances.

York Little Theatre is located at 27 South Belmont Street, York PA, just south of Market Street at the intersection of I83. York Little Theatre is a proud member of The Cultural Alliance of York.

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