'A Chorus Line' Dances Onto Ford Theater Stage
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
Mark is 20 years old, bright-eyed and bushy tailed. Al, Flanagan said, is 30, a stage veteran and knows the industry inside and out.
Al only auditions for the show to support his wife, Kristine. He tries to keep her calm and makes sure she does the right things. Al finishes her sentences. But Kristine can't sing, which Al and Kristine sing about in the duet "Sing".
Wabash Valley Music Association will present "A Chorus Line" on the Ford Theater stage at the Honeywell Center, Wabash, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $25, $35 or $45 and may be purchased at the box office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, by calling 260-563-1102 or visiting www.honeywellcenter.org
Asked if auditioning for a show is anything like the "A Chorus Line", Flanagan said in the documentary "Every Little Step", which follows the revival of "A Chorus Line", you can see the dancers do the opening number over and over and over again. That's done to test the actors' endurance and drive to see how much they really want the job.
After that, there's a cut. Then the actors sing. Then a cut. Then there's reading for the roles, and another cut.
In all, Flanagan said, the reality is a little different from "Chorus Line". Even back in 1975 when the show first started, actors interviewing for a position rather than a cattle call was out of the ordinary.
The touring production of "A Chorus Line" had its first preview Oct. 1, Flanagan said, and officially opened Oct. 5. They do about eight shows per week.
"My Kristine really helps me keep it fresh," Flanagan said. "The banter is always different every night. But I also try to remember how much I wanted the job when I auditioned for it."
There are several themes in the show, one of which is definitely having drive, Flanagan said.
"It shows 18 people who are working toward something they really, really, really, really want," he said.
Even if someone is not a performer, Flanagan said, they can relate to the interview part of the show.
Paul's monologue about his homosexuality and acceptance really resonates today, Flanagan said, because of the bullying issue in the news recently. Celebrities also are talking about it by making "It Gets Better" videos.
When Paul breaks his leg and can't dance anymore, Flanagan said, that is thought-provoking because it asks, "What are you going to do when you can't do what you love anymore?"[[In-content Ad]]One thing that Flanagan has always loved is dancing. He's been dancing his whole life, and considers himself a "dancer dancer".
"This is the perfect show for dancers," he said. "It is our lives. So it's amazing to go on stage every night and do what we love. Yes, it's other people's lives, but it's our story as well."
Whether you're an entertainer or not, Flanagan said, "A Chorus Line" is an amazing show. It's really fun, and it will make you laugh and cry. The show has some really great moments, with a lot of heart.
Flanagan said, "I feel it on stage, and I hope the audience feels it, too."
Mark is 20 years old, bright-eyed and bushy tailed. Al, Flanagan said, is 30, a stage veteran and knows the industry inside and out.
Al only auditions for the show to support his wife, Kristine. He tries to keep her calm and makes sure she does the right things. Al finishes her sentences. But Kristine can't sing, which Al and Kristine sing about in the duet "Sing".
Wabash Valley Music Association will present "A Chorus Line" on the Ford Theater stage at the Honeywell Center, Wabash, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $25, $35 or $45 and may be purchased at the box office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, by calling 260-563-1102 or visiting www.honeywellcenter.org
Asked if auditioning for a show is anything like the "A Chorus Line", Flanagan said in the documentary "Every Little Step", which follows the revival of "A Chorus Line", you can see the dancers do the opening number over and over and over again. That's done to test the actors' endurance and drive to see how much they really want the job.
After that, there's a cut. Then the actors sing. Then a cut. Then there's reading for the roles, and another cut.
In all, Flanagan said, the reality is a little different from "Chorus Line". Even back in 1975 when the show first started, actors interviewing for a position rather than a cattle call was out of the ordinary.
The touring production of "A Chorus Line" had its first preview Oct. 1, Flanagan said, and officially opened Oct. 5. They do about eight shows per week.
"My Kristine really helps me keep it fresh," Flanagan said. "The banter is always different every night. But I also try to remember how much I wanted the job when I auditioned for it."
There are several themes in the show, one of which is definitely having drive, Flanagan said.
"It shows 18 people who are working toward something they really, really, really, really want," he said.
Even if someone is not a performer, Flanagan said, they can relate to the interview part of the show.
Paul's monologue about his homosexuality and acceptance really resonates today, Flanagan said, because of the bullying issue in the news recently. Celebrities also are talking about it by making "It Gets Better" videos.
When Paul breaks his leg and can't dance anymore, Flanagan said, that is thought-provoking because it asks, "What are you going to do when you can't do what you love anymore?"[[In-content Ad]]One thing that Flanagan has always loved is dancing. He's been dancing his whole life, and considers himself a "dancer dancer".
"This is the perfect show for dancers," he said. "It is our lives. So it's amazing to go on stage every night and do what we love. Yes, it's other people's lives, but it's our story as well."
Whether you're an entertainer or not, Flanagan said, "A Chorus Line" is an amazing show. It's really fun, and it will make you laugh and cry. The show has some really great moments, with a lot of heart.
Flanagan said, "I feel it on stage, and I hope the audience feels it, too."
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