After four sold out previews Darlinghurst Theatre Company’s production of A Chorus Line was set to have its opening night in May 2020, only to have the show cancelled the day of opening night due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Now, the show is back, and the cast are ready to give the performance of their lives.
Originally opening on Broadway in 1975, A Chorus Line is the story of 17 Broadway dancers auditioning for spots on a chorus line. The story is based off the real-life anecdotes of 24 dancers who were interviewed by the musical’s creator Michael Bennett. Themes of upbringing, coming-of-age, sexuality, careers, and racism are explored.
Tim Draxl, who plays Zach, a theatre director auditioning the 17 talented hopefuls says: “It’s all about acceptance. Acceptance for people of all backgrounds, cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, sexual preferences. The musical is about seeing people for who they are and what they are, and accepting them for that…”
The show is directed by Amy Campbell, who has won the 2018 Sydney Theatre Award for Best Choreography of a Musical for her work on The Heights. Amy has also been nominated for the same award for her work on ONCE the musical and is the appointed resident director of the Australian production of Hamilton.
The cast and crew are beyond excited at this second chance for a musical, and for Tim Draxl, A Chorus Line is an incredibly appropriate production to perform in these COVID times.
“I think Chorus Line now more than ever gives people an insight into our industry and the hardships of our industry. Because of COVID and the show is about the difficulties that we face as actors, singers and dancers” says Tim.
Reflecting on the turbulence the arts industry has faced due to the coronavirus pandemic and A Chorus Line’s own experience of being shut down the day of opening night, Tim says: “That’s what Chorus Line is all about, facing those kinds of harsh realities.”
The Darlinghurst Theatre Company’s production of A Chorus Line will also be the first professional production in Australia to feature entirely new choreography.
A Chorus Line will run at Darlinghurst Theatre Company from Sunday 29 August – Saturday 30 October. You can book your ticket here.
