A Chorus Line opens at the Playhouse

Tom Titus

When the Huntington Beach Playhouse was sequestered at Gisler School

waiting for the chance to strut its stuff on a real stage, one of its

most ambitious, and most successful, productions was the musical “A

Chorus Line.”

So, now that the playhouse thespians can mount their shows on a classy

proscenium stage in a fairly large venue, the Central Library Theater,

why not take another crack at “A Chorus Line?”

Why not, indeed. And tomorrow they’ll do just that as the tribute to

Broadway’s dance “gypsies” -- conceived by Michael Bennett, written by

James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, with words by Edward Kleban and music

by Marvin Hamlisch--pays a return visit.

This time around, the happy feet are guided by Michael Lopez as both

director and choreographer. Bill Wolfe will take up his customary seat

behind the piano as musical director and Kelly Tickner fills her familiar

role as stage manager.

The cast, in alphabetical order, consists of Geryl Anderson, Edward

Bangasser, Stephanie Carrie, Jeremy Cienfuegos, Elizabeth De La Torre,

Courtney Gates, Ana Maria Gedney, Dennis Dean Hart, Johnathan Hoover,

Aristotle Ibasco, Kurt Jarrard, Jocelyn Jolley, Garrett Minniti, David

Nestor, Sharie Nitkin, Cassi Presson, Alex Rodriguez, Leah Seminario,

Jennifer Storey, Megan Sullivan, Laura Thatcher, Duane Allen Thomas,

Kelly Todd, Dennis Trong, Natalie Williams and Arron Young.

“A Chorus Line” was born from the collected experiences of dancers

who fill the anonymous roles of backup hoofers, each yearning for the

“big break” that will thrust him or her center stage. Each is also aware

that the window of opportunity is closing, since dancing is not something

one chooses for a life’s work, youth being a precious and fleeting

commodity.

The Huntington Beach production will run Thursdays through Sundays

until Feb. 3 at the Central Library Theater, 7111 Talbert Ave. Curtain is

8 p.m. and ticket information is available at (714) 375-0696.

*****

CALLBOARD Golden West College’s theater department will hold

auditions Jan. 29 and 30 for the Greek tragedy “Oedipus Rex” at the

college’s Mainstage Theater. Men and women in all age ranges are being

sought for the cast of 20, according to director Tom Amen.

Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex” is a true oldie, first performed in 430 B.C.

at the ancient Greek Theater of Dionysus. The Golden West production

opens March 8 for two weekends, and further information may be obtained

by calling (714) 895-8772.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Independent.