"A Chorus Line"

July 6, 2021 — For my first time in an indoor theater since March 15, 2020, I traveled to Meredith, New Hampshire, where I had a reservation for A Chorus Line at the Interlakes Summer Theatre. To their credit, Interlakes is not dropping their COVID guard completely. They ask, but don't require, patrons to wear masks. The audience is separated into well-spaced groups to achieve social distancing. As a group of one, I was surrounded by empty seats. I never had so much space to enjoy in a theater, except that the Interlakes rows are so narrow I didn't have room to stretch my legs and sat sideways in my seat for most of the performance.

One of the most successful shows ever produced, originally directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett with music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban, A Chorus Line is an ambitious challenge for small summer theater companies. I saw it once before at the Eastern Slope Playhouse in North Conway, New Hampshire, ten years ago. I gave it a good review for its multi-talented, mostly young cast, and great song and dance numbers. This Interlakes production was equal in every way if memory serves me. The show demands singing, dancing and acting talent, a tall order this cast achieved for the most part. The Interlakes production was directed and choreographed by Gustavo Wons with music direction by Spencer Stern and costume design by DW Withrow.

A Chorus Line plays out on a bare stage. In the Interlakes production a mirror covers the entire back of the stage, visually expanding the dance numbers. It's covered by a curtain at times when the effect is not needed. Zach, a choreographer, needs to select four men and four women out of seventeen applicants for his planned musical. Along with their talents, each of the applicants is asked to give personal details about themselves, their family history, hopes and aspirations. They comply with song, dancing and monologue, often accompanied by the entire company. This takes up most of just over two hours of the play. They have markedly different personalities and backgrounds and a hodgepodge of attire. A few spice up their monologues with salty language and sexual references.

Finally, Zach makes his decision on his eight dancers. The final scene is food for thought for the more thoughtful in the audience. Is this what these eight very different people from different backgrounds, with high hopes for stardom, really wanted? A Chorus Line doesn't answer this question, in case the question even occurs to us. Some of us may see it as simply great entertainment with dazzling, energetic dance numbers, pretty girls in skimpy costumes, a fine orchestra, moments of comedy and poignancy, and it's all of those.