REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: A show before the show

Let me start by making one thing clear: I’ve never been to an exercise or dance class in my life. The fox trot and the tango only have military connotations for me, and I wouldn’t know Joseph Pilates from Pontius Pilate.

That, and I have a severe aversion to spandex.

So when the opportunity to participate in a class taught by three members of the toned cast of “A Chorus Line” came up, let’s just say my heart began practicing tachycardia before I even set foot in the room.

“A Chorus Line,” the longest-running American musical in Broadway history, will be at the Orange County Performing Arts Center through Aug. 31.

The original production ran for nearly 15 years, and it closed after more than 6,000 performances.

The show won nine Tony awards, as well a Pulitzer Prize.

This show’s dancers are buff, dear reader. They collectively have more six-packs than the typical corner store. Whereas I order splits from the ice cream counter, they eat them for lunch.

I arrived to find that the majority of the participants were likewise: dancers, aerobics regulars or gym rats.

So I did what any self-respecting journalist would do and positioned myself in the far corner, away from the action (and the floor-to-ceiling mirrors).

The first half of the workout was the same warm-up routine the dancers do before their shows:

Stretches.

Leg lifts.

Sit-ups.

Push-ups.

You get the idea.

Grande pliés garnered gasps; coupling them with rapid-fire jabs to either side garnered moans.

Finally, we were finished; the participants clapped, thinking the hard part was over.

But we were reminded that this was only the warm-up; the actual dancing was to come.

Specifically, we were taught the actual opening to the show, first move-by-move and then set to music.

My legs had turned to jelly before we even began the dance portion, so midway through, I decided I ought to take some notes.

Being a journalist, and all.

I then was fully able to watch the dancers themselves; my lackluster oxygenation rate gave me a newfound respect for their art, and I was able to see, in excruciating detail, the amount of concentration and attention to detail that goes into every move.

In the play, a row of dancers stand in line on an empty Broadway stage. Times are lean, and auditioning dancers, known as gypsies, are all desperate for the gig.

The show’s director, Zach, asks each to tell him about their past. The gypsies are confused; aren’t they simply there to dance?

They talk and sing about everything from coming out to bad breakups to their new breast implants, bonding and relating how hard it was to become a dancer — all while performing the precision-choreographed, high-kicking numbers that have become icons of the American stage.

“This is a show that I always wanted to do, because it’s about my life,” cast member Hollie Howard said.

“I’m so proud to tell this story every night, and I’ve learned a lot as a performer. There are 17 characters that stand on the line in the show, and I can relate to every single one of them.”

A highlight of every show is character Cassie’s performance of “The Mask and the Mirror,” considered one of the most difficult dance numbers ever to be performed. Dancers use hair spray to ensure their leotard stays where it needs to be during the frenetic dance.

Equally compelling is the finale, in which the dancers shed their ragtag audition wear for the hand-beaded, spangly gold costumes the show is known for, and perform in a completely syncopated “Chorus Line.”

The group at the Sports Club LA was part of a touring cast that started in Denver in May.

“It’s like a paid vacation,” Howard said. “Here we are in Orange County.”

Like a precursor to today’s reality show competitions, some hopefuls in the show are cut as the show goes on; others face nerves and injuries.

The dancers chose to end our exercise class in the same manner, having the participants divide into groups for an “audition” of their own.

Each group performed the moves they just learned in front of the class and the professionals, and smiled when they received applause and encouragement.

The cast members then talked about their own experience with the show, and how they have to renew their contracts every six months.

“There are so many people back in New York who want to replace us,” dancer Jessica Latshaw said.

“Yeah, like us!” a class participant called.

The classmates all clapped, proud of their own achievements and in respect for the amazing performers with whom they just shared the past hour.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “A Chorus Line”

WHERE: Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday until Aug. 31

COST: $23.25 to $78.25

CALL: (714) 556-2787