Hoofin’ in style

Suzie Harrison

“A Chorus Line” opened on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre on July 25,

1975, and three decades later, almost to the day, it’s being brought

to Laguna Beach with the Gallimaufry Performing Arts production Aug.

4 to 6 at the Artists’ Theatre.

Starring in the ensemble is Broadway performer Juliet Fischer. Her

credentials include Broadway and national tour productions of

“Chicago,” “Kiss Me Kate,” “A Christmas Carol” and “On the Town.”

Fischer has performed at Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall and

is a former Rockette.

“The idea to do ‘A Chorus Line’ came last summer when we were

doing ‘42nd Street,’ deciding what show to do next,” Gallimaufry

founder, producer and director Steve Josephson said. “‘A Chorus Line’

was monumental in so many people’s lives, especially with our

generation.”

The show is a story that brings to the spotlight Broadway’s chorus

dancers, known as gypsies. Michael Bennett’s production won nine Tony

Awards, a Pulitzer Prize and the New York Drama Critics Award.

Josephson said the timing is right for a reprise since it marks

the show’s 30-year anniversary.

“The show itself is history in the making and was the longest

running until ‘Cats,’” Josephson said. “It’s a huge story, a simple

story about theater. I was so moved; it was a pivotal point in my

theater education.”

He said seeing it changed his ideas about musical theater and what

it was about.

“When you talk to other people everybody has similar stories --

universally it’s terrific,” Josephson said. “The difficulty with the

show and reason why it’s not done very often is that every person in

the show has to sing, dance and act, and the dancing is grueling.”

Josephson said it’s also one of the only shows performed without

an intermission; everyone is on stage the entire time except for one

section in the middle of the show.

A break comes when the character, Cassie, played by Fischer,

performs “Music in the Mirror,” one of the longest solos ever created

for a musical.

“I have a 1-year-old little boy and have been out of it for

awhile,” Fischer said. “This will be my first big thing back. It

sounded like fun, a good way to get back into it.”

Fischer said, as far as musical theater, “A Chorus Line” is

pinnacle and a huge challenge, and she’s happy to be working with

Gallimaufry.

“It’s a great group of people,” Fischer said. “I’ve danced in many

shows in many dance companies; it’s small, fairly new and still

managed to get really good talent and put on a good show.”

Fischer said she put her career before a family for 10 years, but

not any more.

“I’m happy here, this is perfect for me, doing three or four small

shows a year,” Fischer said. “I don’t need to go back to Broadway.

I’m happy to do nice roles in small theaters.”

Luis Avila is choreographing the production. He brings the benefit

of recently playing the role of Paul in “A Chorus Line.” Avila

performed under the direction and choreography of Baayork Lee, the

original Connie Wong in the Broadway production. Josephson said it’s

as close to the original as it gets.

“It’s been a challenge, but it’s coming together,” Avila said. “We

have a lot of non-dancers stepping up and a lot of seasoned

professionals, too. It’s good to see them work off each other’s

strengths. It’s tough recreating Broadway to a ‘T.’”

He said it’s not easy choreography to learn. He is adhering to the

original choreography, known as Michael Bennett’s “Bible.”

Less experienced dancers get up to speed by attending dance

classes an hour before every rehearsal.

Gallimaufry newcomer Jeff Delaney, 18, plays an essential part,

Greg.

“Greg is larger than life; he basically sums up the ‘70s --

over-sexed, over-drugged and everything decadent,” Delaney said. “I’m

playing a 32-year-old homosexual dancer in the ‘70s. It’s a stretch,

but a lot of fun.”

Delaney is a singer and actor and can now add dancer to his

resume.

“I’m apparently a dancer now; it’s a lot of growth, definitely a

growth experience,” Delaney said. “I can honestly say the cast is so

incredibly in-sync; it really comes across, that bond translates.”

Musical director Roxanna Ward said seeing “A Chorus Line” on

Broadway had a huge effect on her.

“I saw the original production in New York; it was my first

Broadway show,” Ward said. “I have always wanted to do ‘A Chorus

line.’”

“We have a great, talented cast. All these young people don’t know

the original production; the story is timeless.”

The score includes Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban’s “Nothing,”

“What I Did for Love,” “Dance: Ten Looks: Three,” and the popular

high-kicking chorus number, “One.”

“A Chorus Line” will be performed at the Artists’ Theatre, 625

Park Ave., at 8 p.m. Aug. 4, 5, and 6. (There will also be a

performance in Laguna Woods the following week.) Tickets are $20 for

adults and $15 for seniors and students. For information or tickets,

call (949) 499-560 or got to www.gallimaufry.info.