newjerseynewsroom.com

BY STUART DUNCAN

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

OFF BROADWAY REVIEW

The buzz in the theater was unmistakable. Opening night of “A Chorus Line” at Paper Mill Playhouse was electric – the audience ready to greet performances with genuine warmth and reward strong performances with cheers. And no wonder—the evening had been billed as a “Tribute to the late Marvin Hamlisch” the composer who passed this summer. Paper Mill had 75 of the Broadway veterans of the show or the National Tour on hand among the opening-night audience.

So much was familiar: the simple set with the white line across the stage. The large company of dancers singing “My, God, I need this job.” Rachelle Rak, Nikka Graff Lanzarone and Karley Willocks singing “Everything was beautiful at the ballet.” Gabrielle Ruiz remembering “Nothing” and getting a thundering ovation-deservedly.

And then Ashley Arcement explaining why “Dance Ten, Looks three” made her worry about her figure. Ms. Ruiz bringing the audience to a boiling point with “What I Did for Love.” And then the show’s big moment: the cast dancing on stage one by one to sing “One.” And being joined by the 75 from the audience for an encore.

Followed by the fastest leap to its feet of any audience I have seen. (And remember the really limber ones were already on stage singing.) A theatrical moment to be long remembered. Plus Kelly Bishop and Priscilla Lopez from the original Broadway company. Ms. Bishop played Sheila; Ms. Lopez played Diana, who read short tributes to Hamlisch.

I’m sorry that those of you who see the show after opening night will miss that particular excitement, but never fear. There are plenty of reasons why “A Chorus Line” won all those awards, including the Pulitzer, a most rare honor for a musical. It’s a terrific show, poignant, exciting, deep and moving throughout. And there were reasons why so many were at Paper Mill on Sunday night—the show affects the performers as well as the audience.

“A Chorus Line” will continue at Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn through Oct. 28. Please call (973) 376-4343 for reservations or information.