“A Chorus Line” brought many members of the Grady community to the auditorium last Thursday night to watch the 45 cast members sing and dance – the biggest opening night for any play held at Grady. At $8 a ticket for Grady students, and $12 for parents and friends, the expectations were high, and the cast and crew continually entertained.
The two-hour show follows the backgrounds of the typically unrecognized members of Broadway chorus dancers. The show’s director, Zach (Harrison Briggs) chose 17 out of 45 dancers to present themselves to him. Eventually dwindling down to only eight remaining dancers, and each character had a unique story to share.
   Zach used each dancer’s headshot to select them to talk about themselves. This provided a more personal feel to both the audience members and the actors. The show used minimal props, which proved appropriate. Near the back of the stage, mirrors were turned to face the audience once a significant performance started, mimicking a typical dance room. The mirrors allowed the audience to see dancers reflect on themselves, both metaphorically and physically.
Along with the props, costumes were also simple. Dancers wore the basics, a simple leotard or even just jeans and a sweatshirt. However, each costume seemed fitting and natural to the character, as well as the environment of the show. The lack of flamboyant props made it easier for audience members to relate and connect with the cast. The finale performance included a spectacular scene, where the dancers performed a synchronized number complete with a kick line. They dressed in all gold outfits, which was very appropriate for the flashy finale.
The actors embodied their characters well. From dancing to singing, every actor on stage perfectly fit their role.  The choreography was intentional. While not all the dancing was uniform, it still fits nicely. Members of both the ensemble and the main cast performed synchronized ballet. Mike Costa (Alex Tischer) gave an especially impressive tap dancing performance.