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‘Chorus Line’ debut a smash - Black Hills Playhouse assembles multi-talented cast for this ambitious musical.

By Lynn Taylor Rick, Journal Staff Writer

It can't be easy for directors to find an entire cast of actors who can sing, dance and act well.

That's exactly why Black Hills Playhouse's production of "A Chorus Line" is such a success story.

Directed and choreographed by Justin Speck, with musical direction by Eric Johnson, "A Chorus Line" opened Thursday at the Playhouse in Custer State Park.

The show, a peek into a Broadway dance audition, shows off the depth that the Playhouse has this season.

The cast members roll out strong voices, combined with surprisingly accomplished movement. Most of the cast avoids the awkward self-consciousness that so often plagues dance theater scenes.

Instead, they shine when they dance. Speck has choreographed the show with stylish, sophisticated steps and most of the cast members sell it with such conviction that you believe they are dancers. At least part of that accomplishment can be credited to a consistently high energy level.

"A Chorus Line" first opened on Broadway in 1975, conceived and directed by Michael Bennett. It went on to earn nine Tony awards as well as a Pulitzer Prize.

The storyline follows choreographer Zach, played at the Playhouse by Justin Droegemueller, as he casts his chorus line for an upcoming Broadway show. As Zach pushes his dancers to show him their best stuff, he also asks them to peel away a layer or two of themselves to reveal what makes them tick.

One by one, the dancers open up, sharing the bittersweet stories of their pasts and their longing to make something of themselves. Although "A Chorus Line" is about dancers on Broadway, its message of aspiration can, of course, be applied to any person, any life and any aspiration.

"A Chorus Line" sports several great Broadway songs, including "One," "I Hope I Get It" and "What I Did for Love." Holly Jacobs, portraying the outspoken Val, gives an especially funny and sassy performance of the song, "Dance: Ten; Looks: Three."

As anyone who has ever seen this show knows, "A Chorus Line" is a really funny show. It's witty, poignant and unique. But it's also adult rated. Complete with a few racy topics and words, this isn't a show to take the kids to. But for adults who like a good laugh and a lot of song and dance, it's a good night at the theater.

Lynn Taylor Rick can be reached at lynn.taylorrick@rapidcityjournal.com or 394-8414.