News & Events 2002-2003

Blair Academy Players Present “A Chorus Line”

The Blair Academy Players will present “A Chorus Line” on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, February 20, 21 and 22 at 8 p.m. (house opens at 7:30 p.m.) in the DuBois Theatre of the Armstrong-Hipkins Center for the Arts. General admission tickets are $5. Due to mature situations, the show is not recommended for children under 13 years of age. The play, which was conceived, choreographed and directed by Michael Bennett, ran for 6,137 performances on Broadway. The book is by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, with music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban.

The show concerns final cuts for a chorus dancers audition on a bare Broadway stage. Hope fills the minds of the finalists as they learn a new dance combination for the choreographer’s assistant (junior Jamie Skuba) and respond to the director’s voice (sophomore Jonathan Kruse). Put through ballet, then a jazz combination, then another cut, the director cuts down to the final 16 for eight slots.

The play presents an intimate exchange between the dancers and the director’s voice radiating from the back of the dark theater. The audience learns that Mike (junior Phil Mauriello) is a well-practiced extrovert, while Sheila (senior Virginia Case) makes wisecracks and never relaxes. Maggie (junior Kate Barone) wants to live a fairy tale. Bebe (sophomore Evelyn Tilney) was never pretty, while Kristine (junior Carly Pearson) lacks self-confidence and doesn’t think she can sing. Al (junior Mike King) tries to make up for wife Kristine’s shortcomings, while Mark (junior Daniel Lawrence) is beginning his life as an adult. Connie (sophomore Lauren Ricciardi) has always wished she were taller, and Don (junior Jamie Connors) danced in strip clubs since he was 15 years old. Judy (senior Kelsey Strub) began dancing to get her father’s attention, while Richie (sophomore Jonathan Slawson) turned his back on a career in education to be a dancer. Val (senior Meghan Findlay) took action to become a “10” in every way. Paul (senior Nic Davin) deserves a chance and hopes to get it here. Bobby (sophomore Eric Kim) was always a little strange, while Greg (sophomore Geoffrey Weyl) learned about life through a medical book. Cassie (senior Liz Brandwood) has come back to the chorus after a brief career as a star, while Diana (sophomore Molly McAdoo) looks back on the futility of acting classes and realizes the sacrifices a career on the stage requires.

The musical director of the production is Chris Eanes, with choreography by Denise Alexander-Male. The orchestral director is Dana Williams, and the technical director is Wayne Rasmussen. Craig Evans directs the production. Please call Craig with any questions at (908) 362-6121, ext. 5682.

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