A Chorus Line... Still Relevant?

I was thinking about the revival of a chorus line and what it was about that just didn't draw me in as well i thought it could have or should have and I was wondering, do you think that one of it's biggest downfalls is that it's not really necessary because it just can't have the same impact now as it did when it first opened?

I just feel like in the original production, it was the first time that some of these issues were brought to the stage but now that they are more accepted and widespread it can't have even close to the same affect that it did and because of this its more like a bunch of people randomly chatting on stage. (NOT to say I didn't like it, because I did, I just felt like it dragged on a bit and I didn't really know what to walk away with. And of course I did appreciate seeing live a revival of such a monumental show)

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I think a lot of it is lost on the reality show/competition audiences of today. The basic concept and conceit is very common these days. Other shows have used its skeletal framework, from Cats to Starlight Express. Everyone steps forward, does their bit, and somebody wins a big prize at the end.

In a way, ACL was the first "reality musical."

So the innovation and freshness is gone now. It's a period piece of historical importance. But that feels more like walking through a living museum. It's also big nostalgia for many of us who were drawn closer to the theatre after seeing it.

I remember being horrified when Music Man started to lose its brilliance. Most people don't get that show today, either. They see it as a frivilous cartoon and that's all.

Be ready for the EXACT same thing to happen to today's big shows. And I mean all of them, including Sondheim's. His will last longer than most, as did Rodger's & Hammerstein's. But his will eventually fade in their relevance and impact too, into respected museum pieces from a bygone era.

The first to go will be the shows that spoke loudly to a generation or an era in time:

Rent
Spring Awakening
Angels in America

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No. And it's not even claiming to be. It's a museum piece, and cash cow.

Roquat- I think mealz meant that it is not as relevant as it once was when some of the ideas were still new. Of course there are some threads of ACL and almost any show that will still be relevant x amount of years from now, just not as relevant becasue time change, technology chages and our way of life changes. With that our fears, worries and difficulties as a people.
With that said, I never saw the original production of ACL but I was blown away by the revival. I was moved to tears being able to relate to their quest to find a way in an ever more competitive world. I was especially able to relate to Sheila, Bebe and Maggie in At the Ballet and Richie finding himself in college than not knowing what comes next since I'm in that same time of life myself.

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"Dance: Ten; Looks: Three." Everyone thinks it's called "Tits and Ass."

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broadwayrules - "Dance ten, looks three, and I'm still on unemployment. Dancin' for my own enjoyment..."


To me, A Chorus Line was (and still is) extremely relevant. As a performer and just as a person in general it was something that I really related to. While things do change, the idea of putting yourself on the line and giving your all for something that you REALLY want will never fade out.

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I've only Chorus Line once, the revival last summer.

I still think it is relevant because its just about trying to make it in life.

However, the gay character in the show did make me kinda roll my eyes when he told his story. It was really obvious that it this were 1975, you were supposed to be like "I never knew what a young gay person goes through! That's so sad! He's such a strong person to still follow his dream!"

But seeing it now, and being somebody who grew up hearing gay-but-strong tales, the character's story seems way too Lifetime Movie-ish for me. Not that I dont like Lifetime movies.......but its just his story probably doesn't pack the same emotional punch as it did in 1975.


But........that doesnt mean its not worth hearing.

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I think it's rather dated and it's interesting to see how relevant its main competition back in '75, Chicago, still is. In a way, it was as relevant as Chorus Line was when it first opened, but was not thought of that way by most.
Anyway, enough with the Chicago plugging-
Chorus Line is still quite stunning to look at. Those stage pictures are dynamite. But yes, I think it is a little dated. Sorry.

Obviously, it's still set in the 70's, and as such, of course there are things about it that are dated. But do elements here and there and things negate a show as a whole? No. It's a show about dancers, but it is a story about people trying to make it. Afraid they won't, needing to. Striving to be good enough. Being "on the line." And that's relevant to a whole hell of a lot more people than actors and dancers in 1975. It's a little dated, but that doesn't make it "irrelevant." There's a big difference.

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A classic, period piece.

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However, the gay character in the show did make me kinda roll my eyes when he told his story. It was really obvious that it this were 1975, you were supposed to be like "I never knew what a young gay person goes through! That's so sad! He's such a strong person to still follow his dream!"
But seeing it now, and being somebody who grew up hearing gay-but-strong tales, the character's story seems way too Lifetime Movie-ish for me. Not that I dont like Lifetime movies.......but its just his story probably doesn't pack the same emotional punch as it did in 1975.
But........that doesnt mean its not worth hearing.

Ah, but George, see, not everyone DID grow up hearing those tales. There are still some people for whom that story is EXTREMELY relevant. There ARE still parts of the country where people don't know what a gay young person goes through. Sadly, we're not AS evolved all over as we'd like to think we are.

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My one fear with the show is that the Bennett Choreography is so integral to the successful telling of the story that there isn't much wiggle room.

The show is kinda set in stone, which increases its chances of becoming a museum piece.

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It's about as "dated" and "irrelevant" as Mozart. Or the Iliad.

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