(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Nearly 50 years ago (yes 50!) A Chorus Line was an unprecedented hit receiving nine Tony Awards, the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. It also has the honor of being one of the longest-running musicals in Broadway history. The show comes to Vanguard Theater for nine performances (vs. the 6,137 performances of the original production) on January 7 through January 15, 2023.
Tickets, priced $15 - $45, are on sale online at vanguardtheatercompany.org. The production is part of Vanguard’s DREAM VTC initiative, a rigorous, by audition, pre-professional performance program for high school and college students.
Why put up A Chorus Line? As an actress herself, Founding Artistic Director of Vanguard and Director of A Chorus Line, Janeece Freeman Clark, says: “A Chorus Line gave voice to performers of color during a time when most roles were designed for white actors (with the exception of race specific shows). The original Broadway cast of A Chorus Line featured four actors of color. Two of them in particular, Paul San Marco and Diana Morales, were written with a multi-dimensionality that elevated the standard of racial minority depictions in musical theater - which was a major step.
“Our production provides a fresh look at A Chorus Line’s narrative – not by changing the staging (A Chorus Line is almost always presented with the original, iconic, Broadway choreography), but by the beautiful make-up of this cast. The production features more than a mere four actors of color. This creates an atmosphere where these actors are no longer novelties. They are just like everyone else on the stage - a group of human beings with individual histories, united by the same plight of putting themselves on the line.”
Challenging existing social and cultural narratives through theater dedicated to DREAM: Diversity, Reciprocity, Education, Activism, and Mentorship, is Vanguard Theater’s mission. A person at the Vanguard challenges the status quo and is at the forefront of the development of new ideas. So it is fitting that Vanguard Theater dedicates this production of A Chorus Line to Ronald Dennis, the Broadway performer who indelibly played dancer Richie Walters in the original 1975 cast of A Chorus Line, introducing one of the show’s musical highlights: “Gimme the Ball.”
Many don’t know this, but Dennis not only brilliantly performed this song in the show, but also had a big hand in writing it: “About 2 weeks before we were to open at the Neuman, M.B. (Michael Bennet) comes to me and says that he needs to see me in the rehearsal room at lunchtime. I’m thinking, ‘Oh sh*t’ now what?’ I get there and Michael…. proceeds to sing (the words) 'Gimme The Ball.'
“He then says - 'Here, go home and make something out of this!' Gobsmacked, but not one to back down on an order or a challenge, I got home, retreated to my bedroom and channeled the muse of ‘Aretha Franklin’ as my inspiration. I never did find out why Marvin Hamlisch didn’t write a song for me. And sadly, I signed away all royalty rights in our original contract, being naive and not knowing anything about asking for writing credit or payment. SIGH Hindsight! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!”
Dennis passed away on Dec. 17, 2022, at the age of 78. Prior to his signature role as Richie in A Chorus Line, he appeared on Broadway in Hello, Dolly! starring Pearl Bailey, and Micki Grant’s Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope, He was also among the casts of the touring productions of Pippin, and Bob Fosse’s Dancin’ and La Cage aux Follies. A longtime advocate for AIDS awareness and charities, Dennis served on the Broadway Cares Advisory Council, and was the Senior Advisor for the Black Men’s HIV Medication Adherence Board at APLA/Project Rise.
Performances take place Saturday, January 7th 8:00pm;Sunday, January 8th 2:00pm & 7:00pm; Thursday, January 12th 8:00pm; Friday, January 13th 8:00pm; Saturday, January 14th 3:00pm & 8:00pm; and Sunday, January 15th 2:00pm & 7:00pm. Tickets range from $15-$45 (includes all fees) and are available for purchase online. Individual tickets, memberships, and subscriptions are available.
Due to the content, parental discretion is advised.
DREAM VTC is a by audition, rigorous education and performance program created to teach theater skills to middle and high school students, while focusing on significant social issues. The program takes students through a 3-month experience that mirrors a professional practice, and challenges them to reciprocate what they have learned on tours, bringing live theater to people without traditional access. DREAM VTC has been recognized with funding from the NJ State Council on the Arts.
Founded in 2015, Vanguard Theater Company is a unique 501(c)(3) committed to changing social and cultural narratives through theater dedicated to DREAM: Diversity, Reciprocity, Education, Activism & Mentorship. Having just completed its first full year in its new home in Montclair, Vanguard Theater has quickly become a destination for great professional theater, inspired community collaborations, excellent youth programming, and more. Vanguard looks forward to continuing its reputation for excellent theater and impactful community dialogue as it begins its second full season in Montclair, NJ.
