Senior challenges himself to 'A Chorus Line'

Kick it up -- A Chorus Line is coming to town. Some months ago, College senior David Simon decided he wanted a challenge. He wanted to produce or direct a show before he left the University. He also decided this would be an independent production in which members from different performing groups would be able to join. And he wanted it to be good. Simon decided that what he was looking for was A Chorus Line, the longest running musical in the history of Broadway, a show famous for its energetic dances and powerful music. And it was also about something else. "It's about performers . . . the side of performers that people don't see," Simon explained. "People remember top hats and dances, but this show let's you see the real people behind it . . . what made them be who they are today." A Chorus Line met all of Simon's requirements. It's a show that is easier to produce than most, since it doesn't have complex sets to design or lighting equipment to set up. And Simon said that he likes it because it's a show that people want to be in and that people generally like to see. "Artistically, it's wonderful," he said. "It's truly an ensemble. The play has 19 leads, and everyone gets their moment in the spotlight." The show takes place at a theater audition, in which the director, played by Simon, who is also producing and directing the show, wants to find out about the people who have come to perform for him. The performers are at first skeptical, but then they start opening up and the audience gets to find out all of their stories. "You get to see what [performers] do and why," said College junior Nick Hunchak, who plays Paul, one of the leads in the show. Hunchak's character is a good example of what A Chorus Line is about. Paul is someone who is coming to terms with himself. He has a need to perform, and during the show many of his hidden secrets come out. Another character in A Chorus Line is Maggie, played by College freshman Megan Wozniak. Maggie was conceived in order to help save her parents' marriage, but her father walked out when she was born. Since then, she has always tried to look for a father figure. "There's a lot of humor and a lot of sadness," said Simon. "It's a really wonderful show," added Wozniak. "It's a big misconception that A Chorus Line is just about dancing . . . it's about people and beautiful music." Simon also said he wants the audience to realize that there's a lot more to the show than the dances and the music. He emphasized that there's a lot of emotion in the musical that requires very talented actors, and that the mixture of acting, singing and dancing makes for an even bigger impact on the audience. "I think it's more powerful that way," he said. "It's more of a challenge. "In the original cast, and this is something many people don't realize, most of the performers were telling their own stories. Everything is true," Simon said. Although Simon has done a lot of directing work, this is the first time he is completely in charge. He said that an essential step was to get a choreographer, a music director, a set designer, and a lighting designer. Without the commitment of those people, he said, the show wouldn't come through. He also needed to get the support of a Students Activities Council group, without which the job of producing the show would have been almost impossible. The Glee Club came to Simon's rescue, providing the needed affiliation. "It's a very dedicated and talented cast," Simon said. "It's a lot of work . . . but it was easily worth it." Simon said he felt lucky to get such a good group of very dedicated performers. He said that even after rehearsals are over, if one needs more practice, other members will voluntarily work with that person for hours until they get it right. "We all pull each other," said Wozniak. "It's the good old American show. Go see it. It has a lot to say about the business." A Chorus Line will run Wednesday through Friday, April 11 to 13, at 8:00 pm, in the Annenberg School Theater. Tickets are $6 and will be on sale on Locust Walk and at the door. (CUT LINE) Please see CHORUS, page ---- CHORUS, from page 3

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