It’s funny. I would never call A Chorus Line underrated as it is a classic of musical theatre, but I do feel like it isn’t mentioned as much as it should be in discussions of the greatest shows of all time. It’s certainly one of my favorites. I love how honest and authentic it feels. Written in 1975 based on interviews done of Broadway chorus members it feels like something that could be released new now and not feel outdated one bit. West Valley Arts is putting on this landmark show and while their theater-in-the-round does cause some challenges it is still well worth your time.

If you are unfamiliar with A Chorus Line it takes a group of dancers auditioning for a chorus role in a Broadway show and tells their individual stories (again based on real interviews.) There isn’t a traditional plot like we usually have in musicals but is more of a what we call in the film world ‘slice of life’ narrative. We as the audience are a fly on the wall watching these people audition and learning about their life.

It is this voyeuristic aspect of this show that make many of co-director/choreographers Izzy Arrieta and Ben Roeling’s choices so brilliant. I particularly loved having director in the show Zach (Joseph Spear) mostly a voice from above calling out orders to our dancers. In many ways Zach is us and speaks for the audience making when he does step on to the stage extra impactful.

Another effective directorial moment is the opening number “I Hope I Get It” we are introduced to each character with the actors holding up their headshots to Zach’s voice from above but again it made it feel like they were each auditioning for us and we were going to be the ones judging them worthy or not.

The casting for this production of A Chorus Line is across the board outstanding. I would challenge any non-equity theater across the nation to produce such an incredibly talented group of dancers, actors and singers. It’s hard to pick a favorite because they are all impressive but Angel Martinez as Paul (I honestly believe Paul’s Act 2 monologue to be one of the most stirring monologues in musical theatre history and he performs it with heart and soul), Heather White as the jaded Sheila, and Annie Jones as the tone-deaf but very funny Kristine are the standouts.

It being an audition environment the sets and costuming are simple so it’s the performances and the choreography by Arrieta and Roeling that give the production its flavor. I love how each performer has unique choreography while all still working together to make the iconic kicklines of the show. Again, we are put in the position of Zach and can see who he should and should not pick.

The problem with WVA is that the theater-in-the-round setup is a challenging space for A Chorus Line. I wish the directors had used the aisles and the platforms around the stage for some of the solos to stretch things out into the audience. It is a reality of this stage that some of the time the performers will be facing away from us as an audience. This is a major barrier for A Chorus Line because we can’t see what the dancers are doing. We can’t look into their faces and see their expressions. I wish I could lift this cast and choreography onto a traditional stage so I could see what was happening at all times. There are times when theater-in-the-round is an advantage making the audience surrounded by the experience but for A Chorus Line where there so often is a literal line of actors it’s problematic.

That said, I don’t think this downside is enough to throw off the many positives in A Chorus Line at WVA. It’s a stirring look into the lives of performers and just people with their hopes and dreams. Plus, there are some terrific tunes and dance sequences well performed. A Chorus Line is playing at WVA through May 3rd and tickets can be purchased here. Don’t be the one to miss out!

A Chorus Line features music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kieban and a book by James Kirkwood Jr and Nicholas Dante.

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