He was a writer, known for a chorus line 1985, a chorus line 2016 and a chorus line 1991. 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. 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. The screenplay by arnold schulman is based on the book of the 1975 stage production of the same name by james kirkwood jr.
The creation of a chorus line by robert viagas 1990, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Some of the best theatre productions have released their schedules. 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 also a celebration of the american musical itself. For some time, it held the record as the longestrunning musical in history. 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. 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. 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, which premiered in 1975, had the distinction of being the longestrunning broadway show until a 1983 show called cats swiped the record away.
Thrilling combination every move that he makes one smile and suddenly nobody else, will. Pedl, latinautor warner chappell, concord music publishing, solar music rights. 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. With michael douglas, terrence mann, michael blevins, yamil borges. Not just the standard book and lyrics, this hard cover includes two loving tributes and a large collection of very fine stills. The creation of a chorus line by robert viagas 1990, hardcover at the best online. You can also shop other broadway music including music from les miserables and the phantom of the opera. Jan 16, 2007 one finale a chorus linesoundtrack version licensed to youtube by. A chorus line is a musical with music by marvin hamlisch, lyrics by edward kleban and a book by james kirkwood jr. A chorus line is a brutally honest portrait of anonymous, interchangeable dancers. From the opening number in which they singly and collectively declare their desperation for the job, their.
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. 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. Reading a chorus linethe book of the musical was a revelation and is now prominent among my broadway reference library. A chorus line is a musical with music by marvin hamlisch, lyrics by edward kleban and a book by james kirkwood, jr. Hopefuls try out before a demanding director for a part in a new musical. 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. Oct 17, 2019 afterwards, a chorus line shot the attendance up to 8. Aug 01, 2006 a chorus line, the biggest broadway hit of its generation, is returning to times square in a major fall 2006 revival. A chorus line the complete book of the musical hal. Martin gottfried in case you missed a chorus line on broadway, you can still catch it between the hard covers. For everyone, at one time or another, puts their life on the line for attention, for approval and for love. 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.
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. Nothing much occurs during the course of a chorus line storywise, except the audiences come to. 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. 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. One finale a chorus linesoundtrack version licensed to youtube by. A chorus line a chorus line is purely and simply magnificent, capturing the very soul of our musical theatre. 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. A chorus line changed musical theater forever when it premiered in 1975. A chorus line ensemble one from a chorus line lyrics. Feb 20, 20 nothing runs for ever, says a character in a chorus line. 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.
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. A chorus line character list and audition requirements. 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. 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 features a book by james kirkwood and nicholas dante, music by marvin hamlisch, and lyrics by edward kleban. A chorus line had the slimmest plot a musical had seen since on the town, but it had a hell of a great idea. A chorus line is a celebration of those unsung heroes of the american musical theatre. Nothing runs for ever, says a character in a chorus line. This impressive book contains the complete book and lyrics of one of the longest running shows in broadway history with a preface by samuel. 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. 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. He is aggressive yet humorous, and very protective of his wife.
Jul 19, 2019 a chorus line features a book by james kirkwood and nicholas dante, music by marvin hamlisch, and lyrics by edward kleban. Selector wants to hear the 17 candidates talk about themselves and their lives so they begin. On july 25, 1975, a chorus line opened on broadway at the shubert theatre. Its a completely ensemble show with no large scenery, no costumes except the final number, no intermission and no star. 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 examines one day in the lives of seventeen dancers, all vying for a spot in the chorus line of a broadway musical. The musical made its broadway debut at the shubert theatre on july 25, 1975. The production grew organically from a series of taperecorded. A chorus line will run at the venues from 31jul20 until 27sep20. A chorus line changed musical theater forever when it premiered in. A chorus line provides a glimpse into the personalities of the. This singular sensation is the longestrunning american broadway musical ever. On the line the creation of a chorus line by robert viagas. Original broadway production produced by the new york shakespeare festival. Needs to have good comic timing and ability with bronx accent.
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. 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. Set on the bare stage of a broadway theater, the musical is centered around seventeen broadway dancers auditioning for spots on a chorus line. For an era that relied on showy elements, this was the antimusical musical. It is hard to believe that over 25 years have passed since a chorus line first electrified a new york audience. Oct 20, 1975 a chorus line is by no means your common or garden variety of musical. Exclusive look inside rehearsals for a chorus line at cape. It is hard to believe that over 25 years have passe. The songs were composed by marvin hamlisch and edward kleban the film was released theatrically on december, 1985 by columbia.
This is a chorus line, the musical for everyone whos ever had a dream and put it all on the line. Discomfort opens into revelation, confession leads to redemption, and within the bright, outwardly homogenous chorus, the audience begins. Avian shared a tony award with bennett for their work on a chorus line, the show that reinvented the broadway musical in the 1970s. 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. Nicholas dante was born on november 22, 1941 in manhattan, new york city, new york, usa as conrado morales. A chorus line sheet music and music books at sheet music plus. Reading a chorus line the book of the musical was a revelation and is now prominent among my broadway reference library. 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. Discomfort opens into revelation, confession leads to redemption, and within the bright, outwardly.
He went on to produce dreamgirls, and, on londons west end, choreographed follies, martin guerre, the witches of eastwick, miss saigon and sunset boulevard. Apr 19, 2020 the chorus line video has made my day. 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. The untold story behind the making of a chorus line. After the first round of cuts, zach, the director and choreographer, asks each dancer to speak about themselves. From chorus boy to a chorus line, new book details. The songs were composed by marvin hamlisch and edward kleban. Baayork lee created the role of connie in the original production of a chorus line. He went on to produce dreamgirls, and, on londons west end, choreographed follies, martin guerre, the witches of.