In 1975, the ensemble members of A Chorus Line danced across the Shubert Theatre mainstage in New York and started one of the most legendary runs in Broadway history. Over the course of its 15-year run, the musical took home nine Tonys and a Pulitzer, with its ensemble giving a total of 37,095 performances. “A Chorus Line is one of those musicals you will sing about to your grandchildren,” wrote The New York Times in its review of the show’s opening night. “It is an occasion of joy, an affirmation of Broadway and a smoke-signal to the world that the musical can touch unexpected depths in the human heart.”
For the uninitiated, A Chorus Line follows dozens of Broadway hopefuls who congregate at an audition call in the hopes of their next big break. While the musical features a large ensemble cast, director Zach and his assistant Larry must whittle down the flock to a final group of dancers.
Five decades later, the musical has made its way to Philippine shores. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Theatre Group Asia is currently staging a distinctly Filipino production of A Chorus Line, with Emmy Award-winning Fil-Am choreographer Karla Puno Garcia taking the lead as its director.
Audition Horrors
“My grind as a performer has definitely fueled my approach to this show,” Garcia told Rolling Stone Philippines. The artist has choreographed productions of Rent, One Thousand Nights and a Day,and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s film adaptation of Tick, Tick… BOOM! Garcia earned an Emmy for her choreography work on the 76th Annual Tony Awards in 2023, making her the first woman of color to choreograph the event. But before stepping into the global theatrical spotlight, Garcia first got her start auditioning as an ensemble member, much like the characters that build out the world of A Chorus Line.
“I booked my first Broadway show called Hot Feet while I was still in college,” said Garcia. “I was 20 years old, and I got the job from an open call. I didn’t even attend the callback because my phone number was incorrect on my resume. I was so green.” The choreographer went on to recall how, despite feeling like she’d just had her big break, she was immediately cut from auditions for her next potential show, In the Heights. “I learned fast that even though you have a job, it doesn’t mean you’re going to get another one right away,” she said. “There are more no’s than yes’s, especially when you’re first starting out.”
The trials of auditioning also deeply resonate with Garcia’s cast members. “I had this one audition where I was there from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.,” Julio Laforteza, who plays Don Kerr, told Rolling Stone Philippines. “You’re there the whole day, but by the end of it, someone just comes out and says, ‘The part’s been filled, thank you.’ And then you just got to go home and say, ‘Cool. That sucked.’ But that’s part of life in the chorus, you know? You have to be okay with looking like a fool sometimes.”
“I think what every [performer] can relate to in A Chorus Line is the harshness of how quickly you can be cut,” added Jordan Andrews, who plays Al Deluca in Garcia’s staging. “I’ve been to auditions where you’re just a number.”
Honor Your Ensemble
Although Garcia first struggled to connect with the story, she has since realized how important it is to highlight the struggles that come with surviving the world of theater.
“I think I was just very young and naive, much like a few of the characters in the show,” said Garcia when asked about that initial disconnect. “My perspective kept changing throughout my career. The more that I had a taste of success, experienced rejection, got another win, and then got rejected again, the more I understood the show. In directing A Chorus Line, I have the privilege of uplifting the very performers I’ve shared the stage with and admired for years.”
The musical’s cast members echo the same sentiment, emphasizing that A Chorus Line is such an important production to anyone who’s grown up wanting to stand in the spotlight. “This show is a reminder of why artists keep showing up when the odds are uncertain,” said cast member Stephen Viñas, who plays Bobby Mills. “For me, it talks about my passion for theater. It’s so cliché, but theater is my life.”
For cast member Luca Olbes, who plays Gregory Gardner, the show also underscores the individuality that each dancer brings to the greater ensemble. “Even though we may all be dancing as one, we are our own one singular sensations,” said Gardner, referencing one of the musical’s most memorable tracks, “One.”
“A Chorus Line has brought me back to the core of why I love to perform,” said Ken San Jose, who plays Mark Anthony. “It’s allowed me to get to know myself again, the part of me that started in this [industry] in the first place.”
When asked what she hopes audiences take away from her staging of A Chorus Line, Garcia stressed that her main goal was to spotlight Filipino talent. “I hope audiences here see this cast of Filipino triple threats and feel the same inspiration and pride that I do every day I work alongside them,” said Garcia. “I’m honored to lead a group of artists who have lived the chorus life each in completely different ways, whether on Broadway, in the West End, or right here in Manila. They are a powerhouse group of Filipinos who honor this story through their innate resilience, work ethic, and devotion. I can’t wait for everyone to celebrate them.”
A Chorus Line is currently running at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati until March 29.
