“A Chorus Line” revival a dramatic, dance-filled Drury Lane delight

Photos provided by Brett Beiner

The 2022/2023 Drury Lane Theatre season may be coming to a close, but it’s going out with a bang thanks to a revival of “A Chorus Line,” which despite its iconic status, hasn’t been around Chicagoland as of late.

Thankfully, that all changed after a dynamite opening night, and through Sunday, March 19, there are many more opportunities to catch the dance-filled delight.

The original 1975 version was of course conceived, originally directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett, with book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban.

Drury Lane’s edition picks up where the regarded lineage left off and is in the more than capable hands of director/choreographer Jane Lanier, with associate director/choreographer Frank Kliegel and music direction by Carolyn Brady.

Together, they help raise the backstage curtain for a revealing look into the private lives of several young dancers auditioning for a Broadway chorus, complete with all the apprehensions, vulnerabilities and interwoven relationships that have made showbiz tick since the beginning of time.

It all comes courtesy of a sizeable cast starring Sara Andreas (Cassie), Terrell Armstrong (Frank), Alex Benoit (Don), Collin Bradley (Swing), Ben Broughton (Roy), Bryanna Ciera Colón (Vickie), Trey DeLuna (Al), Alley Ellis (Maggie), Abbey Friedman (Lois), Yesy Garcia (Diana), Jorge Guerra (Larry), Devon Hayakawa (Connie), Christopher Kelley (Mark), Ivory Leonard (Richie), Sam Linda (Mike), Ashton Norris (Becky), Martín Ortiz Tapia (Paul), Alexandra Palkovic (Sheila) Caleigh Pan-Kita (Val), Lisa Revis (Tricia), Melody Rowland (Judy), Madison Sheward (Swing), Oz Shoshan (Greg), Sawyer Smith (Bobby), Lance Spencer (Butch), TJ Tapp (Bebe), Jordon Taylor (Kristine), Andrew Tufano (Tom) and Ryan Watkinson (Zach).

Beyond their commendable command of the material and knowing exactly when to toss in a helping of humor, much of what makes “A Chorus Line” seamlessly adapt to the present is its universal, coming of age themes, such those awkwardly developing years, growing up in a broken home, discovering one’s sexuality, self-image, career uncertainty, injury risk, and ultimately, seeking purpose.

And then there’s the fact it took home a whopping nine Tony Awards, including “Best Musical” and “Best Score,” thanks to the unforgettable tunes “I Hope I Get It,” “What I Did For Love” and “One,” in addition to a Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Toss in frequent nods to retro fashions, a sparkly-costumed finale, and most importantly in terms of its namesake, “A Chorus Line” full of flashy steps executed with the utmost precision, plus perhaps a bit of blur between fictional and real-life relief that everyone made it this far.

“A Chorus Line” continues at the Drury Lane Theatre through Sunday, March 19. For additional details, visit DruryLaneTheatre.com.