A Chorus Line. Conceived and originally directed by Michael Bennett, Music by Marvin Hamlisch. Lyrics by Edward Kleban. Book by James Kirkwood Jr. and Nicholas Dante.
Directed and choreographed by Michelle Heine. Musical director and conductor Craig Johnson. Acting consultant Isaac Gordon. Lighting design. Zac Harvey. Sound designer Telie Jansen. Set design. Matthew Ovenell, Coatume design Michelle Heine. Producer Anne Somes. Free Rain Theatre. The Q Theatre. September 30-October 19 2025
Reviewed by Peter Wilkins
It is a rare occurrence that a musical can give me goosebumps at the opening number. And yet the vitality, exuberance and talent of A Chorus Line’s Ensemble in Free Rain Theatre’s current production at the Q Theatre brought tears to my eyes. Producer Anne Somes has never been shy of taking on a challenge in her passionate quest for excellence, but Marvin Hamlisch’s Broadway musical about the world of the professional dancer will test the best. With directo rand choreographer Michelle Heine, Musical director and conductor Craig Johnson and a superb company of cast, orchestra and creatives, Somes has gathered the best to stage this 50 year anniversary production of A Chorus Line. Conceived and originally directed and choreographed by the amazing Michael Bennett with music by Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban and book by James Kirkwood Jr and Nicholas Dante, the ground breaking musical was at the pinnacle of the triple threat American musical. The cast was required to act, sing and dance and Free Rain’s production is no exception.
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| Ashleigh Maynard as Diana i A Chorus Line |
This is no ordinary musical. It comes from the heart, shining a spotlight on the lives of the characters, their dreams, their frustrations and their need to dance. Choreographer Zach (played with authoritative conviction by Michael Cooper) expects his dancers to reveal themselves in an ensemble building exercise that provides the structure for the show. It is at its simplest a series of monologues, accompanied by dance routines and performed by the troupe of hopefuls. The process is an audition that will eventually whittle down the number of successful applicants to a final eight,
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| Michael Cooper (Zach) with Company Members |
Set designer Matthew Ovenell effectively observes the setting in an open space dance studio against a background of mirrors. It allows the stories of the dancers to take centre stage, lit by Zac Harvey’s skillfully highlighted lighting design. The scene is set for powerful storytelling as lives are revealed, fears confessed and grit and determination drive hope and ambition. Free Rain take on this daunting challenge and have produced an A Chorus Line that ranks as a Titan of the Musical Theatre genre. Director Heine, musical director Johnson with a brilliant orchestra and pit singers and Acting consultant Isaac Gordon achieve the remarkable and inspire a fiery spirit in the cast who pour sweat, tears, and heart into this awesome production of the Broadway confessional.
“You are all terrific” choreographer Zac tells the line up before the final selection. “I am sorry that I can’t choose you all” Free Rain’s company are all terrific and I am sorry that I can’t name them all. Every song is a story of one person’s life, as varied as the next and yet united in a desire to live the life of a dancer on Broadway, often in spite of the personal struggles. Sheila (Kay Liddiard) describes her escape into the world of ballet in At The Ballet with backing by Bebe (Ashleigh Nguyen) and Maggie (Laura Evans). Val (Emma Sollis) describes the importance of body image in Dance Ten Looks Three and Ashleigh Maynard exposes hypocrisy in Nothing. Maynard’s rendition of What I Did For Love, backed by the company offers a moving acknowledgement of sacrifice and hope in the name of love.
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| Cassie (Ylaria Rogers and Zach (Michael Cooper) |
It is this need to dance for a living, its passion and its obsession that compels Zach’s former lover Cassie to audition for a place, any place in the Chorus Line. In an electrifying performance Cassie (Ylaria Rogers) dances for Zach in a desperate bid to convince him to employ her. Rogers is superb in the role, dancing an exhausting routine across the expanse of a vacant stage while pouring out her pleading heart with Give Me Somebody To Dance For. Rogers epitomizes the triple threat Broadway performer.
Free Rain’s A Chorus Line is ensemble at its best, performed with passion, conviction and the pride born of blood sweat and tears. The production is a labour of love, evident in every routine, every song and every heartfelt story. Above all I am reminded that musical theatre is a collaborative endeavor, conceived in love and executed to the very best of one’s ability. A Chorus Line is such a case and as relevant today as it was fifty years ago. It is the timeless story of all our lives. In the finale, the traditional glitz and glamour of the gold lamé costume is replaced by the stylish black and white ensemble.
This singular sensation of a production is the thrilling combination of talent and storytelling. Don’t miss it.
Photographs by Janelle McMenamin
