THE ORIGINAL REALITY SHOW

Photo: The Cast of THE CHORUS LINE performs "I Hope I Get It"

A CHORUS LINE is the original reality show. It was created when New York director Michael Bennett gathered together a group of Broadway dancers to talk about their careers, challenges, memories, dreams and lives. He recorded approximately 40 hours of interviews that became the script for A CHORUS LINE. During the original production, some of the dancers played versions of themselves on stage. Their stories are real and the show is LIVE. How much closer to reality can you get?

A CHORUS LINE is part celebrity talk show, part job search like The Apprentice, part sports competition, part makeover like America’s Next Top Model, and part elimination challenge like Survivor. But instead of “the tribe has spoken” or the TV audience telephoning to vote, the director eliminates the dancers.

The CHORUS LINE director calls upon his talk show host persona and declares:

I think it would be better if I knew something about you - your personalities.
So I’m going to ask you some questions.
I just want to hear you talk and be yourselves.

If the dancers want the job, they must tell their secrets and share their stories with the audience.

A CHORUS LINE is also like The Apprentice. These dancers will do anything for work:

I hope I get it
How many people does he need?
How many boys, how many girls?
I really need this job.
I’ve got to get this job.

Sporting event? The footwork in a professional soccer match is nothing compared to the athleticism of the dancers:

Step, kick, kick, leap, kick, touch.
Turn, turn, touch, down, back, step,
Pivot, step…

These dancers work together as a team. But instead of uniforms, they wear leotards and instead of sportscasters there is music.

How about competition? The show starts out with 24 dancers. Seven get eliminated with nine more to go, since there are only eight positions on the roster:

I've come this far, but even so
It could be yes, it could be no.

A CHORUS LINE is a makeover show in reverse. The dancers are not being stylized in order to be individuals, instead they are working to blend. Every dancer must become exactly the same. They are going to wear the same costume, look and move the same.

American Idol? Like many of the contestants, someone in A CHORUS LINE will try to sing but it sounds bad. America would text message to eliminate her:

What I lack in pitch I sure
Make up in power.
And all my friends say I am
Perfect for the shower.

Hannah Montana? The dancers discuss their teenage years:

My braces gone
My pimples gone.
The ugliest boy asked me to the Prom!

Doctor 90210? A CHORUS LINE tells the heartwarming story of how one dancer was unemployed until she:

Left the theatre and
Called the doctor for my appointment to buy…
Bought myself a fancy pair.
Tightened up the derriere.
Did the nose with it.
All that goes with it.
Suddenly I'm getting nash'nal tours!

A CHORUS LINE is all the action, drama, angst, and comedy that you can find on TV and more! But it’s better because there are no commercials and you are there!