Broadway Actors Star in 'A Chorus Line'

The Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A Chorus Line—now playing at the Robert G. Reim Theater—is kicking off Stages St. Louis 25^th anniversary season with the show that redefined the American musical. The iconic musical tells the story of a group of dancers auditioning for a coveted spot in a Broadway show. The production runs through July 3.

A Chorus Line really belongs to its creator, Michael Bennett. A Broadway dancer himself, his career as a dancer was lackluster, but he found his true voice—and talent—when he stepped into the choreographer's shoes. He would go on to win seven Tony Awards for his choreography and direction of Broadway shows and received an additional eleven nominations.

The musical follows the dancers on their emotional journey, through their frustration, desperation, joy, despair and finally, for some, triumph. Zack, the choreographer/director character in the show, holds the dancer's fate in his hands. He demands perfection, but he is caring too.

David Elder—who plays Zack in the Stages Production—understands the auditioning process well. When he arrived in New York from Houston in the early 1990s, he went straight to Broadway with a part in the revival of Guys and Dolls. This is his first time doing A Chorus Line.

“It's based on real people and it's what we do everyday,” Elder said. “It feels like real life—this journey, and you must take it everyday.”

A Stages veteran, Elder began performing in regional theaters in 2005 to get opportunities as a performer that he might not get in New York. A Chorus Line fits right in. It's unique and his part is very different than roles he's played previously.

“I went into regional theater to play roles that I haven't been able to play—before I get too old,” Elder said.

The show works for Jessica Goldyn as well. Goldyn played Val in "A Chorus Line" on Broadway for two years, and then for the last two weeks stepped into the role of Cassie—the part she plays in the Stages production—who sings “Music and the Mirror.”

“It probably is the most challenging show you can do,” Goldyn said. “You have to be a triple threat—dance, sing, act. You have to connect. I can go on stage and be me. You don't often get to do that.”

Although Elder has the auditioning experience, he's always been the one auditioning and not the person sitting on the other side of the table, but he's seen the kind of demanding attitude the character holds over the dancers. “It's him taking liberties with his power,” Elder said.

Goldyn's identification with A Chorus Line goes farther back than her doing it on Broadway. She first performed the show when she was 11 years old at theatre camp, where they did the show year after year.

“This is the show that made me fall in love with musical theatre,” Goldyn said.

A Chorus Line is very much an ensemble show and each and every role must be played in sync with the other performers. But the cast pulled together outside of the theater as well. When the tornado devastated Joplin, the actors were quick to mobilize.

“We're raising money for Joplin,” Elder said. “We're having a huge car wash, and as patrons leave the theatre, four actors with top hats stand in the lobby asking for donations. People have been very generous.”

“People in the theatre,” Goldyn said. “Anything that we can do, we do. It's great. Right away we jumped.”

For show times and tickets, visit the STAGES St. Louis website. The car wash to benefit Joplin will be held June 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Robert G. Reim Theatre.