Through interminable previews the show slowly evolved and by word of mouth attracted an ever building audience. When, after an initial allotted period of time the show wasn’t coming together, Papp just allowed more time, and then time after that. The inventive, paradigm shifting musical, which featured a bare stage and performers auditioning for roles in the chorus of a Broadway production, was developed through workshops. We learned some of the back story of A Chorus Line through the film Joe Papp in Five Acts by Tracie Holder and Karen Thorsen which was shown during the recent Berkshire International Film Festival.

While Bennett was the genius who changed theatre this great work came about through the vision and support of the legendary Joe Papp (J– October 31, 1991) and his agit-prop Public Theatre. Kudos to Berkshire Theatre Group for staging a fabulously vibrant production of Michael Bennett’s enduring, 1975, seminal, game changing musical A Chorus Line. Two hours twenty minutes without intermission. Music Direction by Steven Freeman, Scenic Design by Gary English, Costume Design by David Murin, Lighting by Michael Chybowski.Ĭast: (Judy) Sara Andreas, (Val) Ashley Arcement, (Cassie) Nili Bassman, (Mike) Matthew Bauman, (Mark) Giovanni Bonaventura, (Diana) Natalie Caruncho, (Connie) Alex Chester, (Greg) Chris Chianesi, (Don)Warren Curtis, (Paul) Eddie Gutierrez, (Bobby) Andrew Hodge, (Larry) Bryan Thomas Hunt, (Bebe-)Julianne Katz, (Al)Tim McCarrigal, (Zach) Noah Racey, (Richie ) Neil Totton, (Kristine)Margaret Wild, (Maggie) Karley Willocls, (Sheila) Dana Winkle.

Conceived and Originally Directed and Choreography by Michael Bennett, Book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, Music by Marvin Hamlisch, Lyrics by Edward Kleban.

Song with the chorus line impossible