‘A Chorus Line’ Dazzles Southampton Stage

Every generation, a musical comes along that seizes the emotional memory and lingers in the mind long past that last wisp of the melody. “A Chorus Line” is one. It won so many awards when it premiered on Broadway in 1975 that listing them here would be superfluous.

So when you hear a bunch of locals are taking on one of the most celebrated Broadway hits of all time, you wonder, “really?” If you saw it on Broadway—as I did in its first incarnation, way back then—you tamp down expectations. Way down.

No need. Michael Disher’s production at the Southampton Cultural Center is like a sparkler going off on stage for the two-plus hours running time. It’s so good that I wanted to stand up and cheer—after I wiped away my tears. I’m going to run out of superlatives writing this review.

For those who don’t know, “A Chorus Line” is about a group of hungry and anxious singers and dancers trying out for a Broadway chorus line—some will make it, some won’t, but all have a story to tell in the psychological striptease that the demanding director, portrayed by Mr. Disher himself, puts them through. By the time the play is over, you know all of them, as well as the trials and tribulations that brought them to the tryout. Many are called, but only eight can make it.

Somewhere in the group of 17 auditioning, you’ll find a character, or two, with a story that resonates: out come tales of one’s sex life, an unhappy home, dropping out of a performing arts school, not being pretty enough, getting on but not giving up, or just not making the high school cheerleading squad because you’re too short, it’s all there. Surely, one of the stories in the quiver strikes home.

The cast, overall, is simply superb—singing or dancing as a troupe, they fill the space with joie de vivre, and their synchronization as dancers was spot on. Okay, some were better dancers than others, and the best are Denis Hartnett, a junior at Pierson High School, who did a marvelous tap dance to warm things up; the lithe and leggy Hailey Kohlus, whose ballet training won’t be denied; and Paul Hartman, another student at Pierson High School, whose timing and charisma grabs all your attention.

Adam Fronc as Paul, who reveals that humiliating moment as a drag queen when his parents recognized him, brings a venti-sized dollop of melancholy to his monologue. For those who don’t know, Mr. Fronc’s day job is working as a cheerful barista at Starbuck’s in Hampton Bays; others may know him from Sag Harbor.

Christine Lisette Martinez as Val reveals a broken youth and a childhood rape early on. But the vivacious brunette explodes with wit in a resounding rendition of one of the show’s anthems, “Dance: Ten; Looks: Three,” or, as others may know it, “Tits and Ass.”

Isabel Alvarez is another showstopper with two solos, her deep, rich voice jam-packed with feeling. Some may know her from singing at venues across the East End. And Rachel Miller is another Pierson student whose ditzy, fast-talking Judy is amusing every time she opens her mouth.

Shannon DuPuis as Cassie handles a demanding solo dance number with aplomb. Cassie is the woman trying to break back into show business after falling from stardom—and a romance with Zach, the director, who doesn’t think she belongs in the chorus line. She simply needs a job, not the handout Zach offers her.

Others in the cast include Andrea Contos, Allison-Rose DeTemple, Karin Greene, David Hoffman, Edward Martinez, Fred Nydegger, Mikela Ryan, Mary Sabo, Alyssa Semken, Sterling Smiley, Josephine M. Wallace, Edna Perez Winston, and Matthew Schiavoni, who rounds out the quartet of talented kids from Pierson. What’s going on at Pierson? Must be in the water.

A few words about the new and improved stadium seating at the Cultural Center—a great improvement, especially for someone who’s 5-foot-5-inches tall, like I am. No more craning your neck if you are not in the front row. I saw the performance from the front row Saturday night and again from the last row the next day, and I’m not sure which I prefer since each gives you a different perspective.

Some of the references in the play—Doris Day, “The Ed Sullivan Show,” Tab Hunter, Gwen Verdon—may not be familiar to young audiences today, as they were in 1975 when the musical opened. Perhaps a little updating there, if permitted, might freshen the dialogue for youngsters. As for the rest, don’t touch a thing. For me, “A Chorus Line” is still one singular sensation, to borrow a phrase from the finale.

Whether you saw it before, or if it’s fresh you, if you care one whit about musical theater, this incarnation of one of the great ones should be on your “must-see” list.

“A Chorus Line” will stage on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., through Sunday, March 22, at the Southampton Cultural Center. Tickets are $25 and $12 for students under age 21 with ID. Dinner-and-theater packages are also available. For more information, call (631) 287-4377, or visit scc-arts.org.