Jesse Green: ‘A Chorus Line’ and ‘Chicago’ at 50: Who Won?

Thanks for unlocking the article so we can read it. Enjoyed the article and personally I liked "Chorus Line" better.

Though both shows opened weeks apart and were well received, A CHORUS LINE stood out due to the nature of its unique staging and concept. A group therapy session with songs on a bare stage, no sets just mirrors, and no costume changes aside from the finalé/faux curtain call. This concept caught theater audience’s attention during its Off-Broadway debut which prompted its move to Broadway soon after. CHICAGO, on the other hand, was formulated more in the traditional musical staging (yes, Bob Fosse’s original CHICAGO had costumes and sets unlike the still-playing minimalistic concert-style revival), so it wasn’t as exciting as this refreshingly unique A CHORUS LINE a few blocks away, even with Gwen, Chita, and Jerry in top form. 

Bob Fosse’s original CHICAGO was a completely different production than the current concert-style revival many only know today. The original 1975 Broadway production was not cheap to run. The scene changes on the 2-level set on a turntable took many people to accomplish each performance. There was a bigger crew than on stage cast.

Updated On: 7/18/25 at 10:46 AM

He ran into my knife ten times. 

Chicago is my favorite show of all time. That Cell Block Tango is sheer genius.

In 1975 I thought Chicago was so superior to ACL that friends (most of whom hadn’t even seen both yet) thought I was crazy.  Nothing has changed my opinion of that.  

Ironically, if Liza Minnelli had not come in for Gwen Verdon when she had throat surgery, Chicago may have run a lot shorter than it did.  In addition to the sellout business she brought to a show that really fell victim of the ACL juggernaut, she got it enormous publicity. 

I will sometimes turn on the Chicago movie just to see some of the great musical numbers.  I recently saw the ACL movie for only the second time ever and it took sheer willpower to get through it — it was totally awful.  While there have been awful versions of hit musicals — think Rent, Mame, The Producers, Man of La Mancha, On a Clear Day, Finian’s Rainbow — everyone of those had enough enjoyable scenes to make an occasional viewing worthwhile (especially with a fast forward button), I cannot think of one that was as bad as ACL.  I suspect part of the issue is that Attenborough did such a bad job, that it maybe never should have been filmed (vs. shot on stage, a la Hamilton or Come From Away); but also that the source material was just not as good as people originally concluded.

BentleyB said: "Having seen both with the original cast, I will say at the time "A Chorus Line" was innovative and compelling. It sucked you in and didn't let you go till the lights faded on the kick line. "Chicago" was fun and exciting and the dancing (like "Pippin") with the score I think made the show. I will say, I think "Chicago" even in its current striped down form is a better show overall currently. "ACL" needs to be updated somewhat.

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I think what made ACL so revolutionary in 1975 is why it may have less resonance today.  It dealt with topics that were just not addressed on mainstream stages: sexual abuse, LGBTQ issues; positive portrayal of drag, etc.  Even the psychological concept of exploring childhood and background was not mainstream.  When I Paul gave his monologue, it was mesmerizing and shocking, both for its delivery and for its content.  Fast forward to today and none of that is revolutionary, so the show often comes off as dated.

Chicago holds up much better because it already was an examination of the past.  And its cynical take on justice and the media is only more evident today.

Ugh. It’s not like Green’s thoughts are original. This is a narrative that has been out there for decades. 

jwsel said: "
"I think what made ACL so revolutionary in 1975 is why it may have less resonance today. It dealt with topics that were just not addressed on mainstream stages: sexual abuse, LGBTQ issues; positive portrayal of drag, etc. Even the psychological concept of exploring childhood and background was not mainstream. When I Paul gave hismonologue, it was mesmerizing and shocking, both for its delivery and for its content. Fast forward to today and none of that is revolutionary, so the show often comes off as dated.

Chicago holds up much better because it already was an examination of the past. And its cynical take on justice and the media is only more evident today."

Thank god I’m not the only one who has this thought. I was afraid it would be sacrilege to say that ACL would need an update to relate to contemporary audiences since very little of what was audacious in 1975 is still audacious today.

The question, though, is how can you recontextualize this for the modern era without a full gut job?

Is Mike now going to be a dancer who got roped into a Zoom ballet class during lockdown and now has a following on TikTok? Might Val go into a deep dive of body dysmorphia compounded by the internet age? Does Paul have a richer queer background, maybe embracing ballroom culture/chosen family after familial rejection in a post-AIDS era?

I feel A CHORUS LINE needs to remain a period piece as updating it or even altering any reference away from its original 1975 timeline completely strips it away from its original form. Does it need a little refurbishing? Absolutely.

A new writer needs to revisit the original tapes and notes and expand the book a bit fuller and the musical needs to clearly define to the audience that THIS is 1975 and carry that tone throughout. The 2006 Broadway revival was basically the original show and nothing more. It felt stagnant. 

Keep the original staging, musical numbers, choreography and costumes intact and just work on the book. Alter the theatre house to reflect that’s it’s an audition and it’s 1975 New York City. Have Zack’s desk placed in the middle of the orchestra center section instead of the back of the house. That alone will be a visible reminder of what is going on and watching the actors on stage interacting with him will make it more immersive.