Chorus Line Kicks Off Stages St. Louis 2011 Season

May 26, 2011--The one singular sensation that exhilarated Broadway for over fifteen years, A Chorus Line opens on June 3 at STAGES ST. LOUIS. A Chorus Line continues through July 3 at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood.

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and 9 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, A Chorus Line forever changed the face of Broadway. Telling the triumphant and heartbreaking story of a group of young dancers auditioning for the chorus of a Broadway musical, A Chorus Line speaks eloquently to anyone who’s ever put themselves on the line to land a job.

The unforgettable score includes “I Hope I Get It,” “One” and “What I Did For Love.” Music by Marvin Hamlisch; lyrics by Edward Kleban; book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante.

What started with a group of dancers coming together for an all-night session, in which they would explore their motivation for dancing, A Chorus Line took Broadway and America by storm in 1975.

Running for over 6,000 performancesA Chorus Linebe came the longest running show in Broadway history (at the time it closed in 1990), and attended by over 6.5 million people. Successful productions have been mounted worldwide, with a revival on Broadway in 2006 and National Tour in 2010.

Direction and musical staging are by STAGES ST. LOUIS Artistic Director Michael Hamilton, with original choreography recreated by Kim Shriver and musical direction by Lisa Campbell-Albert. Completing the artistic team are Scenic Designer Mark Halpin, Costume Designer Brad Musgrove, Lighting Designer Matthew McCarthy and Orchestral Designer Stuart M. Elmore.

The sensational line includes Broadway Actor and Kevin Kline Award-winner David Elder as Zach, whose previous STAGES credits include Robert Martin in The Drowsy Chaperone, the Emcee in Cabaret and Bobby Child in Crazy for You. Elder’s Broadway credits include Curtains, 42nd Street, Kiss Me Kate, Titanic, Once Upon A Mattress, Damn Yankees, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and Guys and Dolls. Broadway Actress Jessica Lee Goldyn as Cassie, who made her Broadway debut playing Val in the Original Broadway Revival cast of A Chorus Line, where she not only completed the full two year run, but closed the show as Cassie. Goldyn was also featured in the documentary film Every Little Step about the making of A Chorus Line.

Also in order of appearance are New York Actor Tony Howell as Roy; New York Actress Hilary Michael Thompson as Kristine; West End Actress Kimberly Wolff as Sheila; Broadway ActressVanessa Sonon as Val; Broadway Actor Michael McGurk as Mike; Ohio Actor Leeds Hill as Butch; New York Actor Jeffrey Pew as Larry; New York Actress Laura Oldham as Maggie; New York Actor Leonard Sullivan as Richie; St. Louis Actress Taylor Pietz as Tricia; New York Actor Brandon Haagenson as Tom; New York Actress Laura E. Taylor as Judy; St. Louis Actress Julie Kavanagh as Lois; St. Louis Actor Borris York as Sammy; Broadway Actress Danna Aguinaga as Bebe; Colorado Actress Jill Slyter as Carole; New York Actress Jessica Vaccaro as Diana; Oklahoma Actor Christopher Rice as Mark; New York Actor Jeffrey Scott Stevens as Al; Florida Actor Tanner Lane as Frank; New York Actor Sean Patrick Quinn as Greg; New York Actor Leigh Wakeford as Bobby; Indiana Actor William Carlos Angulo as Paul and St. Louis Actress Becca Andrews as Vicki.

- Complete biographical information is listed on STAGES website at www.stagesstlouis.org

Along with the exciting lineup for the 25th Anniversary Season, STAGES will offer special events throughout the season, including the new Audience Enrichment Series, which features in-depth discussions and lectures on themes related to each production. The panel discussion for A Chorus Line is listed below. The single ticket price for lectures is $15 or a series subscription may be purchased to all three for $30.

STAGES, in partnership with Fleming’s Restaurant, will host Retro-tini events for the young professional on the first Friday evening of each production. The Retro-tini includes a ticket to the show and an invitation to a post-show gathering with beverages and appetizers, immediately following the performance, held at Fleming’s Restaurant, located at 1855 South Lindbergh, Saint Louis, MO, 63131. All for the low price of $35!

Retro-tini – forA Chorus Lineheld Friday, June 3.

Audience Enrichment Event –“Behind the Line”
Sunday, June 26, 2011 @ 4:30 PM
Held at the Robert G. Reim Theatre, this panel discussion will step beyond the fourth wall for a revealing look at the genesis ofA Chorus Line,along with a fascinating glimpse into the audition process.

Single ticket prices range from $15 - $55. STAGES performs in the intimate, 384-seat Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Civic Center, 111 South Geyer Road in St. Louis, MO. For more information or to purchase tickets call 314-821-2407 or visit www.stagesstlouis.org.

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