For some time, it held the record as the longestrunning musical in history. It is also a celebration of the american musical itself. A chorus line ensemble one from a chorus line lyrics. Theres only the flimsiest of plots an audition for a new broadway musical, culminating in the finale featuring the chosen few but the moments feel earned, and its a great. For everyone, at one time or another, puts their life on the line for attention, for approval and for love. The songs were composed by marvin hamlisch and edward kleban the film was released theatrically on december, 1985 by columbia. Jul 19, 2019 a chorus line features a book by james kirkwood and nicholas dante, music by marvin hamlisch, and lyrics by edward kleban. A chorus line a chorus line is purely and simply magnificent, capturing the very soul of our musical theatre. A chorus line is still one of the most beloved musicals of all time, however, even resulting in a relatively welldone movie version in 1985. Nothing much occurs during the course of a chorus line storywise, except the audiences come to. A chorus line is a musical directed by michael bennett and cochoreographed by bennett and bob avian, with music by marvin hamlisch, lyrics by edward kleban, and a book by james kirkwood jr.
When they arrived at a taping session led by michael bennett in january of 1974, all they had to do was answer a few questions about their lives. The show is based on a remarkable series of taped discussions made in the mid 1970s with some of the top gypsies veteran broadway dancers, many of whom went on to play characters based on themselves in the tony and. Special thanks to james kirkwood, nicholas dante for their book and edward kleban for his lyrics and their contribution to the music of. A chorus line is a brutally honest portrait of anonymous, interchangeable dancers. Nov 15, 2018 when a chorus line opened on broadway in 1975 having stepballchanged its way uptown from the new york shakespeare festival it was the livingest thing in a dead zone. Hamlischs broadway musical, a chorus line, including news and gossip, production information, synopsis, musical numbers, sheetmusic, cds, videos, books. The memories of the shows birth in 1975, not to mention those of its 15yearlife and poignant death, remain incandescent and not just because nothing. Avian shared a tony award with bennett for their work on a chorus line, the show that reinvented the broadway musical in the 1970s. When a chorus line opened on broadway in 1975 having stepballchanged its way uptown from the new york shakespeare festival it was the livingest thing in a dead zone.
Set on the bare stage of a broadway theater, the musical is centered around seventeen broadway dancers auditioning for spots on a chorus line. On july 25, 1975, a chorus line opened on broadway at the shubert theatre. From chorus boy to a chorus line, new book details. The musical made its broadway debut at the shubert theatre on july 25, 1975. Discomfort opens into revelation, confession leads to redemption, and within the bright, outwardly homogenous chorus, the audience begins. Feb 20, 20 nothing runs for ever, says a character in a chorus line. A chorus line features a book by james kirkwood and nicholas dante, music by marvin hamlisch, and lyrics by edward kleban. A chorus line is the quintessential backstage musical, a celebration of the lives and hard times of the gypsy dancers who turn up by the hundreds to audition for a handful of jobs on broadway. The show is based on a remarkable series of taped discussions made in the mid 1970s with some of the top gypsies veteran broadway dancers, many of whom went on to play characters based on themselves in the tony and pulitzerwinning musical. Selector wants to hear the 17 candidates talk about themselves and their lives so they begin.
Hopefuls try out before a demanding director for a part in a new musical. The creation of a chorus line by robert viagas 1990, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Jan 16, 2007 one finale a chorus linesoundtrack version licensed to youtube by. Pedl, latinautor warner chappell, concord music publishing, solar music rights.
One finale a chorus linesoundtrack version licensed to youtube by. For a generation of theater people and theatergoers, a chorus line was and is the touchstone that defines the glittering promise, more often realized in lengend than in reality, of the broadway way. A chorus line the complete book of the musical hal. Some of the best theatre productions have released their schedules. The creation of a chorus line by robert viagas 1990, hardcover at the best online. Martin gottfried in case you missed a chorus line on broadway, you can still catch it between the hard covers. While all shows are a result of collaboration, a chorus line particularly owed its success to its true creator, michael bennett. Val audrey landers sings about upgrading her physical attributes to improve her dancing gigs.
A chorus line was a milestone in the history of the broadway stage, both in the way it was developed and in its subject matter. For an era that relied on showy elements, this was the antimusical musical. This impressive book contains the complete book and lyrics of one of the longest running shows in broadway history with a preface by samuel. A chorus line character list and audition requirements. Oct 17, 2019 afterwards, a chorus line shot the attendance up to 8. A chorus line, which premiered in 1975, had the distinction of being the longestrunning broadway show until a 1983 show called cats swiped the record away. A chorus line examines one day in the lives of seventeen dancers, all vying for a spot in the chorus line of a broadway musical. The untold story behind the making of a chorus line. Special thanks to james kirkwood, nicholas dante for their book and edward kleban for his lyrics and their contribution to the music of marvin hamlisch and the vision of michael bennett.
With michael douglas, terrence mann, michael blevins, yamil borges. Browse a chorus line music for your choir with a chorus line medleys and a chorus lines octavos and vocal scores, not to mention arrangements for concert band and other ensembles. In 1976 he received the tony award, the drama desk award for outstanding book of a musical, and the pulitzer prize for drama for his work on a chorus line. A chorus line is a celebration of those unsung heroes of the american musical theatre. Apr 19, 2020 the chorus line video has made my day. From the opening number in which they singly and collectively declare their desperation for the job, their. A chorus line character list and audition requirements character name voice type description and character requirements solos or parts in show audition song requirements al baritone al is married to kristine. It is hard to believe that over 25 years have passed since a chorus line first electrified a new york audience.
Thrilling combination every move that he makes one smile and suddenly nobody else, will. Reading a chorus linethe book of the musical was a revelation and is now prominent among my broadway reference library. After the first round of cuts, zach, the director and choreographer, asks each dancer to speak about themselves. This singular sensation is the longestrunning american broadway musical ever. Exclusive look inside rehearsals for a chorus line at cape. Chorus line, a synopsis broadway musical the play shows the selection of candidates for some kind of dance performance combining the group of 4 men and the same number of women who are selected from all present.
The production grew organically from a series of taperecorded. In 1983, on its 3,389 performance, a chorus line became the longest running musical in broadway history, a title it would hold until 1997. A chorus line is a 1985 american musical drama film directed by richard attenborough and starring michael douglas. Reading a chorus line the book of the musical was a revelation and is now prominent among my broadway reference library.
He is aggressive yet humorous, and very protective of his wife. Nothing runs for ever, says a character in a chorus line. The font used for the text in the poster is very similar to pinto inline designed by dick pape. The memories of the shows birth in 1975, not to mention those of its 15yearlife and poignant death, remain incandescent and not just because nothing so exciting has happened to the american musical since. Baayork lee created the role of connie in the original production of a chorus line. Original broadway production produced by the new york shakespeare festival. Oct 20, 1975 a chorus line is by no means your common or garden variety of musical. A chorus line changed musical theater forever when it premiered in. It closed there on april 28, 1990 after 6,7 performances. The songs were composed by marvin hamlisch and edward kleban. A chorus line is a musical with music by marvin hamlisch, lyrics by edward kleban and a book by james kirkwood jr.
It takes years of brutal hard work to become a goodenough dancer to dare to go to an audition, and then the reward usually is a brusque thank you. On the line the creation of a chorus line by robert viagas. He went on to produce dreamgirls, and, on londons west end, choreographed follies, martin guerre, the witches of. Its rare that a musical translates well on page there tends to be a feeling of the work being half finished and while a chorus line would be the better with the inclusion of dance numbers, the book stands on its own merits. A chorus line will run at the venues from 31jul20 until 27sep20. He went on to produce dreamgirls, and, on londons west end, choreographed follies, martin guerre, the witches of eastwick, miss saigon and sunset boulevard. This is a chorus line, the musical for everyone whos ever had a dream and put it all on the line. Not just the standard book and lyrics, this hard cover includes two loving tributes and a large collection of very fine stills. A chorus line updated ed piano vocal chords sheet music song book hl0383312 see more like this m h m i s p o n s o r w e d 6 n c 6 5 vintage a chorus line, highlights sheet music by marvin hamlisch,1975. At a time when things look so bleak, watching these attractive and energetic people getting together and blasting out good old american energy, creativity and optimism, restores a little my faith in the durability of our country. Discomfort opens into revelation, confession leads to redemption, and within the bright, outwardly. A chorus line is by no means your common or garden variety of musical. A chorus line, the biggest broadway hit of its generation, is returning to times square in a major fall 2006 revival. It is hard to believe that over 25 years have passe.
A chorus line sheet music and music books at sheet music plus. A chorus line changed musical theater forever when it premiered in 1975. Needs to have good comic timing and ability with bronx accent. A chorus line is a musical with music by marvin hamlisch, lyrics by edward kleban, and a book by james kirkwood jr. The screenplay by arnold schulman is based on the book of the 1975 stage production of the same name by james kirkwood jr. 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 heartstrings until the final, ultimate choices are made. A chorus line had the slimmest plot a musical had seen since on the town, but it had a hell of a great idea. He was a writer, known for a chorus line 1985, a chorus line 2016 and a chorus line 1991. You can also shop other broadway music including music from les miserables and the phantom of the opera. Aug 01, 2006 a chorus line, the biggest broadway hit of its generation, is returning to times square in a major fall 2006 revival. Nicholas dante was born on november 22, 1941 in manhattan, new york city, new york, usa as conrado morales. A chorus line is a musical with music by marvin hamlisch, lyrics by edward kleban and a book by james kirkwood, jr. It was a gorgeous openingbut then downtown and uptown, the show already seems to have been running almost 4s long as. Its a completely ensemble show with no large scenery, no costumes except the final number, no intermission and no star.