This year, Kingswood Oxford Musical Theater performed the powerful and heartfelt show, “A Chorus Line,” with a matinee for the school on Friday, Feb. 23, and two more performances on Friday and Saturday night.
Performing Arts Chair and Director of Theater Theater Kyle Reynolds described this show as “a masterfully written and composed musical created by stories and interviews from 17 dancers, all sharing insecurities, vulnerabilities and raw authentic memories and triumphs of what it means to be a dancer on Broadway.” Created by sensation Michael Bennett, these dancers’ interviews and stories were crafted into a profound show that takes us through childhood, adolescence and the process of adulthood.
“A Chorus Line” tells the story of 17 dancers desperately auditioning for a role in the chorus. As these dancers go through the audition process, we get to know their personalities, stories, challenges and dreams. Characters Sheila Bryant (Diya Mistri), Maggie Winslow (Audrey Karasik), and Bebe Benzenheimer (Lily Temkin) show us the ways that dance has helped them mature and find a home. Character Paul San Marco (Jason Chen) reveals the troubles from his past as he show his true identity to his parents and himself.
The show covers extremely difficult yet important topics, and Mr. Reynolds knew that these stories had to be told. Over the years, “A Chorus Line” has been primarily performed by casts over the age of 19, meaning high schools could not do it. However, Mr. Reynolds understood the importance of this show and the impact it would have on students, so he worked his hardest to make sure the school could put it on. “When we originally got denied, I submitted an appeal to the licensing shareholders with my reasoning of why we were capable of doing the full version,” he shared. “They told me it was going to take six weeks to hear back, but within about six days I found out that we got approved to do the full thing.”
Growing up, one constant in Mr. Reynolds’ life had always been “A Chorus Line.” “I mean, this show has just always been steady in my life,” he said. “‘A Chorus Line’ has taught me how to persevere, ‘A Chorus Line’ has taught me about hope, and it’s taught me that even though the arts is such a challenging profession, it is so worth it.”
KO students had the privilege of welcoming not one, but two original Broadway actresses from the 2006 revival of “A Chorus Line,” Jessica Lee Goldyn who originally played Val and closed out the show as Cassie, and Mara Davi who played Maggie. “I have never met a better performer, teacher and person than Jessica Lee Goldyn,” Mr. Reynolds shared.
Not only was the cast able to spend a day learning and working with her, but Freshman Molly Palmer, who played Cassie, was able to spend one-on-one time working with Jessica and attend a specialized intensive with her in New York City. “Working with Jessica Lee Goldyn was truly a dream come true,” Molly shared. “She was an incredible teacher, dancer and person to learn from. Jessica has done it all and had so much wisdom to share not only about ‘A Chorus Line,’ but about theater in general.” Mr. Reynolds and the entire cast were extremely grateful for the experience and lessons that Ms. Goldyn brought with her.
The number “At the Ballet” is what many people consider the heart of the show as it demonstrates the ways that dance has provided these characters with a new home. So, it was very important that Mr. Reynolds brought in Ms. Davi who played such an iconic and showstopping role. Not only did Ms. Davi come to work with the cast on the show, but she helped connect performing with athletics. “I feel like there is this constant line in high school where you can be an athlete or an artist, and I’ve worked really hard over the past few years to partner with the athletics department to make sure that there isn’t that line,” Mr. Reynolds shared.
The cast had a jam-packed day with Ms. Davi. From singing on the treadmills to getting support from the basketball team to having a Broadway legend help them discover their characters, the musical cast was able to train in ways just like Ms. Davi had before her “A Chorus Line” debut. “Mara had learned how to survive in ‘A Chorus Line’ by exercising while singing, which made this day an even more catch-all experience,” Mr. Reynolds exclaimed.
Senior Diya Mistri who played Sheila, reflected on her experience in the musical. “‘A Chorus Line’ embodies resilience and dedication of dancers in the theater world, while also shining a light on their personal lives, and it’s really touching to be able to understand their own unique stories and what dancing has meant to them,” she said. “‘A Chorus Line’ reminds us that everyone has a different story and allows us to understand that people are not always just what they seem.”
Similarly, senior Jill Alexander who played Diana Morales happily reflected on what this show and the theater program has offered. “To be able to perform ‘A Chorus Line’ was such an amazing experience,” Jill shared. “Being able to bring Diana Morales [based on the American singer, dancer, and actress Priscilla Lopez] to life is a blessing that I could not be more grateful for. Her challenges of being told she isn’t good enough by her teacher, Mr. Karp, is something I’ve been told before’ however, she never gave in; in fact, she became quite successful.” Jill is extremely grateful for all of the adults in the theater department and their everlasting support. “I genuinely couldn’t have asked for better support from anyone, especially from Nicole [choreographer], Mr. Mitchell, and Mr. Reynolds for seeing the potential in me and giving me the opportunity to play such a loving character.”
Mr. Reynolds hopes that the audience, and the students, allowed themselves to connect with the characters and their stories. “Looking at those 17 on the line, in that audience there’s a Bebe, a Sheila, a Paul. There’s somebody on that line that they’re going to be moved by or changed by their story,” he said. “One special thing about this show is that one vulnerability will make you laugh, just as easily as another can make you cry.”
The amount of time and dedication that went into this performance clearly paid off after the cast successfully performed three exceptional shows, leaving the audience blown away time after time. “This is the hardest dance show we have done,” Mr. Reynolds said, “and I am just so proud of all the work, dedication, and love that has gone into this production.”
