By Demi Rose
The Stage Door‘s A Chorus Line at The Electric Theater in St. George, Utah is a musical packed with records and awards. Starting with being one of Broadway’s longest running musicals, nine Tony Awards, four Drama Desk Awards and the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. An interesting fact is that a Pulitzer Prize must be a piece of literature that embodies a perfect portrayal of the time. Be it society, politics, or “This and That”. In A Chorus Line, it is the voices of many performers who told their story of hardships in performing arts and what they had to do to get noticed. In The Stage Door’s wonderful production, the direction by Venny Carranza holds true to the authenticity of the time period with cherished re-conceived choreography from its original debut on Broadway. Paired with music Direction by Alice Ericksen, A Chorus Line kept audience members engaged and thrilled with the quality of performers on stage.
The infamous starting number “I Hope I Get It” introduces every performer is there on stage. As this dance number goes from combinations of Jazz and ballet, a quick elimination is made of the weaker dancers who couldn’t keep up. As one of the highlights of the show, this fastidious number shows the tailored work needed to land a job in the chorus. Several points within “I Hope I Get It” demonstrate the emotional pressure performers undergo in each phase of a dance audition throughout the show.
Zach played by Jake Thomas is the Choreographer and Director, a resolute, strict, and fast paced performance. Thomas’s Zach has passion and a domineering attitude that is perceived by the audience throughout the show. What is most profound is the stark contrast later when Thomas finds empathy toward the end of the show for himself and his struggling auditioners, and in particular Cassie, played by Megan Young.
Young’s Cassie had a desperate air to rejoin the chorus because she believed she belonged as a dancer and not a leading lady, which the other performers didn’t agree about. Young gives a compelling and soft counter to Thomas and is most endearing in her dance solo “The Music and The Mirror”. Young shows within Cassie’s solo a ring of emotions–looking broken, talented, and determined to prove to Zach that she can dance again as she used to.
As other stories surge through like Cassie’s, the audience experiences a collective realization at what lengths performers would go to land a part. Val, played by McKenna Hodge,shows she will go the extra mile in “Dance: Ten; Looks: Three”. A comedic and belted number where Val proclaims to get a job one must get bigger “assets” by seeing a plastic surgeon. Pre-surgery jobs were scarce, but when her looks were changed, the homely Val became a sensational dancer on Broadway.
There are several other performers within the cast that give excellent character work and caused an uproar of laughter that is destined to leave you with a good night.
Invariably, a show is not made without the production team. A Chorus Line has a few people who wear more than one hat. is Directing, Choreography, and Costuming is carried out famously by Carranza. Producer, Costumes, Playbill/Sets, and Poster Design are in the capable hands of Kerry Kimball Perry. Both Perry and Carranza show dedication and willingness to make Stage Door’s A Chorus Line a “singular sensation”. For a toe-tapping, entertaining evening, go to see A Chorus Line in St. George.
Be advised: this show is not child friendly and more catered to the humor of adults.
The Stage Door presents A Chorus Line, Conceived by Michael Bennett and music by Marvin Hamlisch.
November 19-21, 26-27, 29 – 30, 2019 7:30 PM, Matinees November 23, 29-30, 2019 2:00 PM
Tickets: $19 – $21
Contact: 435-656-4407, 435-619-5447
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A Chorus Line Facebook Event
The Stage Door Website
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