Posted: 2/20/26 at 6:03pm
Seems like the perfect opportunity for everybody. Small show can return “home” for a 50th anniversary production right in the Shubert’s signature theater. Can be put together in weeks, liven up the season.
Posted: 2/20/26 at 6:24pm
Unless it’s a 2 week limited engagement, I’m sad to report any interest in A CHORUS LINE is very niche at this point.
Posted: 2/20/26 at 7:14pm
The thing that makes ACL so interesting, a historical discussion, is also the thing that makes it increasingly a relic: its "living documentary" presentational style. Still frozen in time from the original production 99% of the time, and constantly restaged to be as accurate as possible, it runs the risk of becoming not just a museum piece, but a human Audio-Animatronic display. If you've seen one really good Chorus Line, there is at least an argument to be made that you've seen them all.
And when the reason for the original show's success was how fresh, vibrant, real and NEW it felt, that sense of stagnation is deadly.
Posted: 2/20/26 at 8:33pm
I am looking forward to seeing the 50th Anniversary staging of A Chorus Line at Barrington Stage in July.
https://playbill.com/article/a-chorus-line-will-get-50th-anniversary-staging-at-barrington-stage
Updated On: 2/20/26 at 08:33 PM
Posted: 2/20/26 at 8:41pm
Melissa25 said: "I am looking forward to seeing the 50th Anniversary staging of A Chorus Line at Barrington Stage in July."
That would be the 51st Anniversary - 2025 was the musical's 50th anniversary (it opened on Broadway in 1975),
Posted: 2/20/26 at 9:22pm
!!!Merkin2 said: "Seems like the perfect opportunity for everybody. Small show can return “home” for a 50th anniversary production right in the Shubert’ssignature theater. Can be put together in weeks, liven up the season."
SHUT UP
Posted: 2/21/26 at 5:41am
darquegk said: "The thing that makes ACL so interesting, a historical discussion, is also the thing that makes it increasingly a relic: its "living documentary" presentational style. Still frozen in time from the original production 99% of the time, and constantly restaged to be as accurate as possible, it runs the risk of becoming not just a museum piece, but a human Audio-Animatronic display. If you've seen one really good Chorus Line, there is at least an argument to be made that you've seen them all.
And when the reason for the original show's success was how fresh, vibrant, real and NEW it felt, that sense of stagnation is deadly."
I find this a weird take for a few reasons. One, the idea of replacing the original staging is insane. ACL practically is the staging. Also odd to say if you've seen really one good producton, you don't need to see another when people revisted that show regularly for the 15 years of its original run. And finally, the success of pretty much every big show is how it feels at least three of the things you listed, "fresh," "vibrant," and "NEW." And obivously that quality ebbs for every show as it goes from being a revelation to being part of the reperatory. Doesn't mean these shows don't still have plenty to offer audiences--both those new to the work and those who have a long history with it.
Updated On: 2/21/26 at 05:41 AM
Posted: 2/21/26 at 5:42am
Merkin2 said: "Seems like the perfect opportunity for everybody. Small show can return “home” for a 50th anniversary production right in the Shubert’ssignature theater. Can be put together in weeks, liven up the season."
It's taking an awfully long time this go-round for them to ban you again.
Posted: 2/21/26 at 7:19am
I think a 16 week limited engagement would do well. Why is A Chorus Line niche and yet Dreamgirls and Damn Yankees and Evita and Fiddler on the Roof coming in.
Posted: 2/21/26 at 8:31am
Merkin2 said: "I think a 16 week limited engagement would do well. Why is A Chorus Line niche and yet Dreamgirls and Damn Yankees and Evita and Fiddler on the Roof coming in."
You might want to rethink the shows you chose to make your point. Of the five you listed, one hasn’t had a proper Broadway revival since its original 1981 production.
Dreamgirls has had zero Broadway revivals since 1981—the national tour’s brief 1987 stop doesn’t qualify as a revival.
Damn Yankees has had one revival since its original 1955 production.
Evita has had one revival since its original 1979 production.
However, Fiddler on the Roof has had five revivals since its original 1964 production.
Posted: 2/21/26 at 9:44am
Merkin2 said: "I think a 16 week limited engagement would do well. Why is A Chorus Line niche and yet Dreamgirls and Damn Yankees and Evita and Fiddler on the Roof coming in."
God I hope you get it. I hope you get it.
How many chances do you need?
Posted: 2/21/26 at 10:07am
Merkin2 said: "I think a 16 week limited engagement would do well. Why is A Chorus Line niche and yet Dreamgirls and Damn Yankees and Evita and Fiddler on the Roof coming in."
I think the bigger problem is how hard it is to cast. You need a cast of 20 triple threat performers. There are a million brilliant Broadway performers who can fit that bill, but when shows need a name attached to get greenlit, the pickings get slimmer. Even if someone like Ariana DeBose (one of the few triple threats that is a household name) was interested, I feel like it would undermine the purpose of the show, which is to shine a light on the unrecognized dancers and ensembles in musical theatre.
Posted: 2/21/26 at 10:08am
joevitus said: "It's taking an awfully long time this go-round for them to ban you again."
I understand that this poster has been disruptive for a long time and through many user names, but I can't see how this post would violate any rules. What is it that usually gets them banned in the end? I gather I generally don't get the chance to see those posts. 
Posted: 2/21/26 at 10:10am
I don't mean this as a slight, but is Ariana DeBose a household name?
I think there is no such thing as "household name" anymore.
Just an aside.
Posted: 2/21/26 at 10:13am
Jay Lerner-Z said: "I don't mean this as a slight, but is Ariana DeBose a household name?
I think there is no such thing as "household name" anymore.
Just an aside."
As a society, we moved on from "Angela Bassett did the thing" far too quickly.
Posted: 2/21/26 at 10:13am
Please no it’s so overdone like Rent. If they need to remount it; it needs some new dance pieces, a spark and actors that won’t over act.
I never seen such a long list of understudies in my life with the last revival. They needed two boards
Updated On: 2/21/26 at 10:13 AM
Posted: 2/21/26 at 11:38am
Yes, let's keep the theaters clear for all the movie adaptations.
Updated On: 2/21/26 at 11:38 AM
Posted: 2/21/26 at 11:39am
Why does Merkin / Broadway flash still have access to this board…?
Updated On: 2/21/26 at 11:39 AM
Posted: 2/21/26 at 11:47am
MB124 said: "Why does Merkin / Broadway flash still have access to this board…?"
The moderators have never addressed this. He's been blocked and reported by numerous members here, and every few weeks or months, he creates a new username and profile.
Posted: 2/21/26 at 4:00pm
He also has “arguments” with himself in the same thread using multiple screen names. I (almost) admire the amount of effort he puts in!
Posted: 2/21/26 at 4:24pm
Jay Lerner-Z said: "I don't mean this as a slight, but is Ariana DeBose a household name?
I think there is no such thing as "household name" anymore.
Just an aside."
They exist, but we make LOTS less of them than we used to. Ariana deBose is not one. Hell, not even a pop superstar like Chappell Roan is one. Sabrina Carpenter, probably.
It's a lot harder to be ubiquitous in every quadrant than it used to be.
Posted: 2/21/26 at 5:09pm
JSquared2 said: "He also has “arguments” with himself in the same thread using multiple screen names. I (almost) admire the amount of effort he puts in! "
Which is disturbing. Merkin/Broadway Flash/Crusty Bagel/etc. clearly has some social issues and flocks here frequently to fill his need of keyboard conversations.
Updated On: 2/21/26 at 05:09 PM
Posted: 2/21/26 at 7:32pm
SteveSanders, open up your DMs, I have something to tell you
