High kicks & emotion prove ‘A Chorus Line’ remains a powerhouse at San Francisco Playhouse
A Chorus Line honors those artists by providing a musical bullhorn to the lived experiences that drive performers to audition for a coveted spot in the titular chorus line and, more generally, dedicate their lives to the performing arts.James Kirkwood Jr.
and Nicholas Dante’s book, along with Marvin Hamlish (music) and Edward Kleban’s (lyrics) industry-reviving score, track the performers’ progression from winner-take-all auditionees to building solidarity through sharing each other’s stories.
Nicole Helfer (who also plays Cassie) choreographs while paying homage to Bennett’s original style.Once Broadway’s longest-running musical after debuting in 1975 and credited with drawing enough audiences to save a financially perilous Broadway, San Francisco Playhouse’s production provides a needed reminder that good theater is about compassionate storytelling, not just star power.Zach (Keith Pinto), the director/choreographer, is looking to fill eight spots in a chorus line as part of a production, hopefully, headed to Broadway.
He doesn’t just want to see their dance skills; he also wants to learn about the parts of themselves not described on their resumes.
