A Chorus Line • April 12, 2025 • West Valley Performing Arts Center
Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe
Photographed by Vanessa Olson
A Chorus Line is one of the most successful musicals of all time. Winner of 9 Tony Awards in 1976, including Best Musical, A Chorus Line became the longest-running show in Broadway history. It has since been surpassed by a number of other productions (Phantom of the Opera is the current title holder). But for years, if you went to New York City to see a Broadway show, this was the musical to see. It’s interesting because the show has virtually no set and has minimal costume changes. The show rests completely on the singing, dancing, and acting of the cast.
West Valley Arts is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of A Chorus Line with their own production. A Chorus Line is currently running at the West Valley Performing Arts Center until May 3. I got to attend opening weekend, and like the majority of the productions at West Valley Arts, this one was captivating, entertaining, and impressive.
Throughout the show I couldn’t help but think about co directors and co choreographers, Izzy Arrieta and Ben Roeling. What an undertaking this must have been. I had the opportunity to attend The Play that Goes Wrong, the show that played just before A Chorus Line (Another awesome production by WVA. Loved that show!). When I was walking in, I could see what I now know was the cast of A Chorus Line. They were just warming up for rehearsal. I thought to myself, ‘Wow. I can’t believe they’re going to attemp this show. It’s so demanding!’.
When I left the theater that night, the cast we in the throws of their rehearsal and through the window I could see them working on a dance number. I couldn’t hear the music or any speaking. It was only their movement that was visable. I noticed how in sync everyone was. How tight the choreography was. I recall thinking that this show must have an awesome choreographer or director. Turns out they have two. It always blows me a way how much can be done with not only such a small space on stage but with a theater in the round. I don’t know that any other show has impressed me as much with this feat than this one. I tip my hat to Arrieta and Roeling. They did an amazing job with this show.
I loved this cast. As I mentioned, A Chorus Line has virtually no set. It’s an open theater. The show transpires throughout a lengthy audition. The director, Zach, who for just about all of the first act is not visible to the audience. We only hear his voice, asking questions and giving instructions. Zach is played by Joseph Spear. I thought he did a great job pacing the show and adding intrigue. To be predominantly a voice actor throughout the first act can’t be easy. I thought he did a great job setting up the other actors to shine in theway that they did. And when he’s on stage for the second act, he brought a stage presence necessary for a character like this.
In my opinion, this musical has no leads. And while A Chorus Line did win a Tony for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, I still stan by that opinion. This particular cast was so well balanced. Every membrer of this cast gets their moment in the show. Everyone has a solo, everyone gets featured and everyone meets their moment. I was so impressed with the depth of the cast. First of all, I don’t know how they do that much dancing and then talk or sing without any sign of fatigue. I would be heaving and sucking for air just attempting one of these scenes. I loved their coheasion.
From the early moments of the show where they act like they’re getting to know each other to the grand finale they hit all the beats (in both dancing and acting). I just found myself continually more and more drawn to each individual story, and ultimately wondering/hoping who would be in the final cast.
While A Chorus Line does evenly distribute stage time for the actors, there are a couple scenes where a couple actors are featured. And deservedly so. Bailee Johnson plays Cassie. A once featured dancer who has fallen upon hard times and is now looking to be cast in the chorus to get things going again.
There is an amazing second act scene with the song “Music and the Mirror”. It’s Cassie, alone on stage, singing and solo dancing. This is one of the most unique “show stoppers” in Broadway musical history. Johnson was so good in this scene! The emotion you feel when she’s dancing. The characters desperation to do what she loves is so strongly felt. It should come as no surprise that she received the largest applause of the night. This scene is directed brilliantly and was perfect for a theater in the round. I don’t’ have the words to describe how much I loved this performance. So I’ll just say, beautifuly done.
What is so impressive about this production, is we go from this huge emotional song and dance scene to a scene with no dancing, no music, no singing. Angel Martinez plays Paul. A dancer who has had a troubled life and has done whatever it takes to get to where he’s at. Angel Martinez is on stage telling his story to an unseen Zach. First of all the time it must have talent to memorize this monologue is hard to think about. But the way Martinez performed it was stirring. I’ve heard long momologues. I’ve daydreamed and returned to hear the end. That didn’t happen here. Angel Martinez captivated this audience with the spoken word amid a huge song and dance musical. I applaud him and the staging of this show for how engrossing this scene was.
I encourage any theater lover to check out A Chorus Line at the West Valley Performing Arts Center. This is a theater that delivered time and time again and this production is no exception. The cast is excellent and the choreography will impress. A Chorus Line’s 50th Anniversary is well celebrated by this production.
A Chorus Line will run at the West Valley Performing Arts Cetner until May 3. For information and tickets click here.