In its second, slightly updated revival, the longest-running American musical in Broadway history, “A Chorus Line,” will perform at the Stranahan Theater in Toledo Oct. 28 to 31.

The Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning musical kicked off its tour Oct. 1.

The iconic show follows a group of Broadway dancers auditioning for a spot on a chorus line in a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges of being a professional dancer. With less glitz and glam than other musicals, cast member Kieron Cindric, of Findlay, Ohio, said the heart of the show is in the story rather than the spectacle.

“It’s really scaled down in that essentially the dancers are on a bare stage,” Cindric said. “You have a backdrop of mirrors and you have dancers in their dance wear … Yes, there is great dancing in it. Yes, there is this beautiful, gold, sparkling number at the end of the show, but what I think resonates with audience members is the different dancer’s stories.”

Originally conceived, choreographed and directed by Michael Bennett, “A Chorus Line” debuted in 1975 and played until 1990. The celebrated musical won the Pulitzer Prize for drama and nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It even received a special Tony Award in 1984 when it became the longest-running show in Broadway history.

“A Chorus Line” reopened in 2006 under the direction of original cast member Baayork Lee. The revival closed in 2008. For the newest production, Lee is directing and restaging choreography.

Cindric, who plays Swing, said learning the original steps of “A Chorus Line” from Lee is an honor beyond his wildest dreams.

“She would share stories with us about the evolution of the show, about the origins of different musical numbers, whose story that had been,” Cindric said. “Because for the most part the people were playing themselves, the stories they were telling were their own stories.”

Other than slight alterations to the costumes, staging and script, Cindric said the musical remains just as it was 40 years ago.

“For the most part, it’s the show you would’ve seen in the ’70s, but with contemporary actors,” Cindric said. “Even though, yes, it has its references to the ’70s … the idea of sort of being behind the scenes, witnessing the struggle that these people go through, is timeless and it’s still exciting to see and it still has a lot of resonance even for people today.”

When Cindric first saw “A Chorus Line” in middle school, he said, he fell in love with the music and choreography and begged his mom to get him the cast recording.

“I would dance around the living room to some of the songs and make my neighbors watch me,” Cindric said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to be involved in ‘A Chorus Line.’”

Cindric said the show’s message will hit home for anyone who has gone through an audition or interview process. The behind-the-scenes feel of “A Chorus Line” has a new relevance to today’s audience, Cindric said, in light of popular TV shows like “American Idol” and “Dancing with the Stars.”

“It’s fascinating to see what goes into that process and what the struggle is,” Cindric said. “I feel like as long as people have to audition or interview for any type of position it will still have a very relevant message.”

Cindric grew up watching plays at the Stranahan Theater.

“It’s definitely going to feel like I’m coming home,” he said.

The musical will perform in Toledo on Oct. 28 and 29 at 8 p.m., Oct. 30 at 2 and 8 p.m. and Oct. 31 at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets start at $23 and are available through Ticketmaster, the Stranahan Theater box office, at www.theaterleague.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

Tags: A Chorus Line, Stranahan Theater

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 21st, 2010 at 3:34 pm and is filed under Arts and Life, Theater.
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