The cast of the Woodbury Sketch Club's production of "A Chorus Line" is being put through the paces at rehearsal for the show that opens Jan. 15 and runs through Jan. 30 at the Rowan Fine Arts Center at Gloucester County in Deptford Township. And they are finding that the original choreography of the groundbreaking Tony Award-winning musical is...
The cast of the Woodbury Sketch Club's production of "A Chorus Line" is being put through the paces at rehearsal for the show that opens Jan. 15 and runs through Jan. 30 at the Rowan Fine Arts Center at Gloucester County in Deptford Township. And they are finding that the original choreography of the groundbreaking Tony Award-winning musical is no walk in the park. But, they are getting through it with Advil, ice packs, and an unwavering love for a show that focuses on the unsung heroes of Broadway -- the ensemble. They are the faceless, anonymous singers and dancers who play second fiddle to the "stars," and yet, without them, there would be no play, no "big" number," no "show-stopper."
"This is the story of a group of people who are fighting just for the chance to be on stage," explains director Patricia Mangano. "It doesn't matter that they are in the background -- what matters is that they are getting the chance to perform, to do what they love."
The show is set in 1975 on the empty stage of a theater where 17 dancers are competing for a few coveted spots in the chorus of a Broadway musical. Through the audition process, they bare their souls while sharing stories of their childhood, ambitions, fears, and experiences. The show features songs such as "What I Did For Love, " "Music and the Mirror," and the show-stopping "One."
"It's just incredible to be part of a show where the audition process is honored," says Macy Davis, 19, a Temple University student, who plays a "cut dancer" (i.e. - one that doesn't make it through the first round) and understudies several of the female roles. "People who have never gone through the process don't understand how grueling it is, what a struggle it is."
And that is the universal appeal of "A Chorus Line," explains Mangano. "Struggling and working hard for what you want -- whether it's a role in a play or a promotion at a job or something else -- is an experience everyone has been through and can identify with."
Elissa Zavodnick of Holland, Pa., who portrays Cassie, and is co-choreographer of the show. Jason Mangano, the show's co-choreographer who also plays the role of Bobby. Jodi Raditz, a Cherry Hill math teacher is a veteran performer who plays Sheila, the oldest of those auditioning. Ben Lefler of Haddonfield has never seen a production of "A Chorus Line," but he knows how beloved the show is among performers, and wanted to be part of it. He plays Mike, a smart-aleck who loves dancing, his older brother Dan Lefler, who portrays Larry in the show, will graduate from medical school in May.
The script was written following hours and hours of interviews with aspiring performers talking about their lives. The score was written by the Tony, Grammy, Emmy, and Oscar award winning Marvin Hamlisch.
Performances are Jan. 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 at 8 p.m. and Jan. 17 and 24 at 2 p.m. For tickets or more information, go to sketchclubplayers.org or call the theater at 856-848-8089. Group rates are available. Thanks to the generosity of the Gloucester County Cultural and Heritage Commission, the show will be performed at The Fine Arts Center at Rowan at Gloucester County College, 1400 Tanyard Road in Deptford Township. The Fine Arts Center has seating for up to 200, handicapped accessibility, and ample parking.
