Multiple Sensations

One of the seminal theater-going experiences of my life took place in the mid-70’s when I heard the “buzz” about a new show that was in rehearsal at Joe Papp’s Public Theater and I was able to obtain tickets to its initial sold-out run, fifth row, center. It was directed by an unknown dancer/choreographer named Michael Bennett and the show was A Chorus Line. I was an emotional wreck for a week afterwards and tears would well up in my baby blues at the weirdest times. It was earth shattering to me and little did I know, although I knew it was a great show, that it would prove to be a ground-breaking smash hit; moving to Broadway and running to sold-out houses for 15 years, winning every award in sight, including the Pulitzer.

I must have seen it at least ten times because it was the show everybody who came to town wanted to see and I was always willing to go again. The show itself varied in quality through many cast changes over the years but the basic plot and premise and directorial genius stabbed me in the heart every time.

In 2006 A Chorus Line was revived and I guess it had a fairly successful run, although I didn’t see it. I’m not sure why; was it too soon for a revival? Was I jealous of my memories? What I did see last week was a film documentary called Every Little Step, which focuses on the casting of this new version. It is brilliant. At least to me it is because it brought those tears to my eyes again; bringing back the memory of that long-ago miracle in row 5, center. But it’s more than that too. It’s the story of a whole new crop of actor/dancer/singers giving their all over an eight-month period while auditioning for the revival. It brought a new level of hurt and disappointment and euphoria as the actors worked their butts off for this job. In other words they were just like the characters they would, or would not, be playing on stage. Like most documentaries there were some talking heads but mostly the camera does the work and does not interfere with the glory and the pratfalls of the audition process.

This film brought home to me yet again; although I was always aware of it, that the theater is a cruel and dreadful business. It’s demanding, all consuming; totally unfair and arbitrary and sometimes it doesn’t matter how brilliant you may be…you won’t get the part. And you really need that job.

One thing I realized after seeing the film is that this revival of A Chorus Line, which was the background and the reason for the films existence, is that all these people who struggled so hard to get the jobs and indeed triumphed; are now again, at this point in time, out of work. Doesn’t seem fair, does it? But show biz has never been fair; on any level, from high school productions all the way to Broadway. But how can I complain? I can only marvel because it’s what they do for love; and I guess those of us standing over here, who have made compromises with our dreams and ambitions, have a hard time getting it. And it’s just a show, isn’t it? I think A Chorus Line symbolizes a lot of broken hearts, both inside and out of the “biz.” But they also provide the magic of the stage; something that cannot be surpassed in any other art form. And I will always treasure that memory of that special night off-Broadway when I lost control of my tear ducts. I’ve been vulnerable to that multiple sensation ever since.