A CHORUS LINE returns to Toronto October 28 to November 30
By: Mark Andrew Lawrence Oct. 22, 2008
The original production of A Chorus Line opened at the Public Theater's Newman Theatre on May 21, 1975 and transferred to Broadway's Shubert Theatre on July 25th, opening there on October 19th of that year. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Score and Book, and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. It ran for nearly 15 years, closing on April 28, 1990 after 6,137 performances.
The first international company of A Chorus Line began in Toronto at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, playing a sell-out season April 29 to July 10, 1976 before transferring to the West End in London, England. A Chorus Line remains the longest-running American musical in Broadway history.
The revival of A Chorus Line opened to rave reviews on October 5, 2006. Directed by its original Tony Award winning co-choreographer Bob Avian and produced by John F. Breglio for Vienna Waits Productions, this new production recouped its entire $8 million investment after only 157 performances (19 weeks) on Broadway. It broke the theatre's box office record 7 times in its first 5 months. A Chorus Line ended its Broadway run on August 17, 2008 after 18 preview and 759 regular performances.
The new production features scenery by Robin Wagner, costumes by Theoni V. Aldredge, lighting by Tharon Musser adapted by Natasha Katz and sound by Acme Sound Partners. Musical supervision is by Patrick Vaccariello with musical direction by John O'Neill, orchestrations are by Jonathan Tunick, Billy Byers and Hershy Kay and vocal arrangements are by Don Pippin. The new 2006 Broadway cast recording of A Chorus Line was released by Masterworks Broadway and is available in stores nationwide.
This National tour cast currently features Clyde Alves (Mike), Venny Carranza (Roy), John Carroll (Larry), Emily Fletcher (Sheila), Stephanie Gibson (Judy), Michael Gruber (Zach), Natalie Elise Hall (Val), Derek Hanson (Don), Hollie Howard (Maggie), Jay Armstrong Johnson (Mark), Julie Kotarides (Vicki), Denis Lambert (Greg), Jessica Latshaw (Kristine), Ian Liberto (Bobby), Stephanie Martignetti (Tricia), Sterling Masters (Lois), Pilar Millhollen (Bebe), Colt Prattes (Al), Gabrielle Ruiz (Diana), Clifton Samuels (Tom), Kevin Santos (Paul), Nikki Snelson (Cassie), Brandon Tyler (Frank), Anthony Wayne (Richie), J.R. Whittington (Butch), Jessica Wu (Connie) and swing performers Colin Bradbury, Erica Mansfield, Rebecca Riker and Alex Ringler.
A Chorus Line conceived and originally choreographed and directed by Michael Bennett, features a book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban. For this new production, Baayork Lee re-stages the original choreography.
A Chorus Line is at the Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria Street starting October 28. Performance Schedule: Tuesday to Friday at 8 PM; Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM. Tickets from $20.00 to $99.00 are available online at: www.mirvish.com ,or from TicketKing at 416-872-1212 or 1-800-461-3333, or in person at the Canon Theatre Box Office, 244 Victoria Street.
For more information go to: www.AChorusLine.com
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