On the Line: The Creation of A Chorus Line

by Robert Viagas

Book Overview

A Chorus Line, the biggest Broadway hit of its generation, is returning to Times Square in a major fall 2006 revival. The show is based on a remarkable series of taped discussions made in the mid 1970s with some of the top "gypsies" (veteran Broadway dancers), many of whom went on to play characters based on themselves in the Tony- and Pulitzer-winning musical.

In many ways, On the Line: The Creation of "A Chorus Line" is a continuation...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0879103361
• ISBN13: 9780879103361
• Release Date: August 2006
• Publisher: Globe Pequot Publishing Group Inc/Bloomsbury
• Length: 392 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

...quintessence of making the grade......

For those of us who grew up on this show, love it and, like me, have been lucky to be in it (waaaaay off-Broadway), or for any fan of the show, this book is truly a 'treasure trove' of information, trivia and revelations about the making and development of the original production. It also provides information about the members of the original cast and their very mixed feelings about the experience. It is a bittersweet read and I would recomend it especially to those who are fascinated by the backstage stories of this theatrical landmark.

Go See the Play, but Read This First

Broadway is always exciting. It's constantly in a state of change with dozens of new shows every year. But it's only once in a while that a supershow comes about, and 'A Chorus Line' was one of those. It was the 'Phantom of the Opera,' the 'Rent,' the 'Wicked' of its day. And it's back. Go see it, but you go to the show, read this book. This book, originally published in 1990 is about the creation of the show, the actors, the people who put it on, and a bit about why the show was such a tremendous success. The book was expanded and updated for publication in 2006 to reflect what has happened to the people and the show since. The theme of the show is on a bare stage where casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. The field's been narrowed down to just 17 dancers. For these men and women, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It's what they've worked for -- with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives. It's the one opportunity to do what they've always dreamed of. Not to be the star, but to get the job ... to have the chance to dance and come through. The show illustrates getting onto Broadway in a better way than I can say. This is how it is, except the book is better, as one of the actors says, he looked around the theater and finally realized that he had accomplished what he had worked for so many years to accomplish.

Back for a revival

The biggest Broadway hit is coming back this Fall, and the book that tells the story of how it was created back in the mid 70s has come back for a revival as well. The bulk of the book has stayed the same including the black and white photos. It is a collective oral history of the nineteen original cast members of how they got involved with the project, how they labored through the months of workshops that shaped it, and what its success has meant for their lives and careers. The new edition includes an update on the cast and what they have been doing for the past 16 years. This is a must have for any fan of A Chorus Line.

This book is a MUST for any "A Chorus Line" enthusiast.

Viagas, Lee and Walsh, together with the rest of the original cast have made an insightful book which documents the life of this great musical. Filled with remembrances by the cast and with a good collection of photographs by several photographers their book is a treasure chest of facts and memories of Broadway's "Singular Sensation". It is nice to know that author Baayork Lee continues her association with the show after twenty five years, still directing companies of the show and now opening up a website dedicated to the show... I only hope that some day they will provide an updated version concluding with the gala final performance.

A must for any fan of the show (or Broadway in general)

This book captures the show perfectly from people who were there: The Original Cast. This book never ceases to amaze, and move.