Anaheim theater presents an intimate staging of ‘A Chorus Line’
by Jackie Moe
It is tryout time for a new Broadway musical, and more than just sweat and tears hit the stage in the Chance Theater of Anaheim’s intimate adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning musical “A Chorus Line.”
The theater will present the classic production about a group of Broadway dancer hopefuls experiencing an intensely emotional – and at times, comical – auditioning process. Presented on the Cripe Stage, the musical opens with previews today through July 8, with regular performances running July 9-31.
Because of the theater’s intimate environment, artistic director Oanh Nguyen said the audience is going to feel like they are “honorary producers” in the room.
“The audience will be sitting in on the auditions, just as the acting directors and producers of the play are. It will be the most intimate production of ‘A Chorus Line’ you’ve ever seen, because at times you will be only one foot away from someone dancing. It’s a very immersive experience for everyone,” Nguyen said.
The Chance’s interpretation of the musical will follow the book, written by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, but the choreography, technology and staging will be unique from other adaptations.
In the story, only eight spots are to be filled on the ensemble, so the candidates are asked to introduce themselves. One-by-one the dancers reveal personal accounts of what led them to dancing, including harsh childhood experiences, discovering one’s sexuality and self-esteem issues.
“It has a huge heart,” Nguyen says of the show. “I don’t mean just sentimentality, but it has a heart in that it accepts all kinds of people. It recognizes who you are, who you love, how you see the world, and how we all do things because of our passions.”
The original Broadway production ran at the Shubert Theatre in 1975 for 6,137 performances, making it the longest-running production of its time. The musical has had numerous adaptations in theaters throughout the world, as well as a 1985 movie adaptation and a 2006 Broadway revival.
The show’s popular musical numbers, including “One,” “I Hope I Get It,” and “What I Did For Love,” will be performed. Unlike most musicals, there are no protagonists or antagonists in the story – it’s all about the ensemble as a whole, said Nguyen.
Returning actress Angeline Mirenda, who helped choreograph Chance’s production of “Dogfight” earlier this season, said the various actors have created their own interpretations of their roles.
“We have a lot of opportunity to shape and mold our characters, and everybody contributes,” she said. “We have a lot of young actors, so there’s a lot of fresh blood and enthusiasm, and when we hit obstacles, we all help each other.”
The cast includes returning Chance artists Ben Green, Ashley Arlene Nelson, Victoria Rafael, Camryn Zelinger, Dannielle Green, Tina Nguyen, Joseph Ott, John Wells III, Monika Pena and John Wells.
Making their Chance debuts are: Tatiana Alvarez, Emily Abeles, Ben Heustess, Christopher Mosley, Xavier Castaneda, Brandon Carter, Robbie Lundegard, Garrett Engle, Calvin Brady, Carolyn Lupin, Kristen Daniels, Liz Williams-Borud, Damon Williams and Dustin Nguyen. Also a Chance first-timer is the musical’s head choreographer Hazel Clarke.
Nguyen said the iconic musical has been long time coming for the Chance Theater.
“It’s practically the story about the name of our theater company; it’s about taking a chance,” Nguyen said. “We all have to put ourselves on the line. All artists connect to that; all people connect to that. So we’re very excited to finally be putting this on.”
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