WVA’s A CHORUS LINE Shows What We Do For Love

West Valley City —  A Chorus Line, one of the most iconic musicals of our time, debuting in 1975 to great acclaim, with music by Marvin Hamlish, lyrics by Edward Kleban, and a book by James Kirkwood Jr and Nicholas Dante, has some of the most beautiful and well-known songs in the musical theatre repertoire. Yet, UTBA has only reviewed it three times, and I have never seen it. So when it was announced that West Valley Arts would be putting it on, with co-director/choreographers Izzy Arrieta and Ben Roeling, I immediately told myself I had to see this.

Originally conceived of and directed by Michael Bennett, the show is a backstage look at what it is like to be one who is auditioning and becomes part of the ensemble of a show. Full of iconic songs, A Chorus Line has the prestige of being one of the few musicals to win the Pulitzer Prize along with its many other accolades. However, it’s strong PG13 rating keeps it from Utah audiences.

Direction and Design

With a minimal yet extremely effective set designed by Adam Flitton, and impressive and well thought out lighting design by Ryan Fallis, the technical elements of this production were truly in step with the production. From the beginning, with the full cast coming on stage to prepare for the audition, the intimate space at West Valley Arts gives a very different feel than watching a traditional production. Instead I felt so immersed, as if I were part of the process. Was I about to audition? Was I a part of the production team, such as a music director? Sitting up close and personal was a great way to add to the beauty of the story, helping me feel for every character who was wanting to be a part of this show.

For example, during the opening number “I Hope I Get It” there is a moment where they are asked to show their headshots and resumes. The cast lined up on the edge of the turntable and circled around the room, and I was close enough in the theatre to find myself staring at each of their photos and faces, as if I was considering if I would cast them myself. I was haunted by the directorial choices of that number.

I may be the secret president of the Anne Puzey fan club, but when I learn that a show has her at the helm of music direction, I already know the music is in good hands. This was evident all over A Chorus Line, but one solid example was the beautiful tight harmonies exhibited in the song “At the Ballet”. The characters Sheila, played by Heather White, Bebe, played by Sophi Keller, and Maggie, played by Summer Sloan Alvey, each have their own musically complicated solos, and then come together in some of the best montages of the night. I can always tell when Puzey has had her hand in a show, because of the high caliber that has come out of it, like in that number. The iconic vocals in the well-known songs such as “One” and “What I Did For Love” were stellar.

Performances

A Chorus Line is of course meant to be a dancing show, and Arrieta and Roeling do not disappoint in this realm. I really enjoyed watching the cast go from practicing steps as one would in an audition, to perfecting the steps throughout the audition process. It is complicated to dance “wrong” in a show, where you have to do it wrong, right. Another point in the show where the design met the characterization so well was when Cassie, played by Bailee Johnson, did the number “The Music and the Mirror” which was an excellent combination of vocals, dancing, and set design. The use of mirrors, turntable, and choreography again used the smaller, theatre in the round space to make me as the audience member feel like I was the one deciding if I would be casting Cassie in the show.

There is a moment near the end of the show where Johnson as Cassie tells the director, Zach, played by Joseph Spear, that each of the people auditioning are special and that it would be an honor to be in the ensemble. As a person who has been in the theatre world since the age of ten, at the ripe age of almost 46 I have played a leading role exactly once.

CONCLUSION

The stories of A Chorus Line spoke to me deeply, and I could take the time and speak to each person playing a part in West Valley Art’s production. Cassie was right, they were all special, and it was an honor to watch them. Being in the ensemble is an honor. Watching the ensemble is an honor. Writing about the ensemble is an honor. What’s more, as I watched them tell their stories and culminate with “What I Did For Love” I could not help but reflect about what the theatre community of Utah did for love in saving West Valley Arts, and what we all do for love each time we put on a production.

UTBA has hit 15 years of writing reviews. We are an all-volunteer organization, going to theatre and writing about it because we love it. The majority of productions in Utah are performed by people who do it as side gigs, while doing other things during the day to feed themselves while creating some of the most beautiful art I have seen, and I have traveled quite literally across the world to see art on stage. “Won’t regret, can’t forget what I did for love” indeed. Once again, I am so proud to be a part of the world of theatre in Utah.