Tosa West's Production of 'Chorus Line' Opens Tonight

Note: This story was wrtten for Patch by contributor Janice Burch

The musical may be best known for its signature song, “One Singular Sensation,” but the song and dance in Wauwatosa West’s A Chorus Line, which opens at 7 p.m. Friday at Wauwatosa West High School, is plural in its sensational student talent.

Seventeen dancers vying for eight spots in a Broadway chorus line set the story for one of the most famous musicals ever.

A Chorus Line opened on Broadway in 1975, with music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban and a book by James Kirkwood, Jr. and Nicholas Dante. The musical is set on the bare stage of a Broadway theatre during an audition for a musical. A Chorus Line provides a glimpse into the personalities of the performers and the director as they describe the events that have shaped their lives and their decisions to become dancers. In addition to winning the 1976 Pulitzer Price for Drama, the musical received 12 Tony Award nominations and won nine.  It remains the longest running Broadway show ever.

The Wauwatosa West Trojan Players have been in exhaustive rehearsals preparing for the challenging production filled with intense vocals, choreography and dialogue. New theater director Adam Steffan said he could not be more proud of the cast and crew for rising to the challenge.

“I have been so impressed with this cast and crew. A lot of positive strides have been made in the right direction as we continue to grow our theatre department,” Steffan said. “In just seven short weeks these students have put together a pretty fantastic show that is reaching towards excellence in high school theatre. Giving a show life takes just a few people and a whole lot of love, and we have done just that.”

Steffan said he is grateful to the Tosa West administration and Wauwatosa community for welcoming him to West with “open arms.” “Here’s to establishing a standard of excellence for this theatre, for these kids, to continue to reach and extend beyond with each production," he said.

Steffan is a Wauwatosa East graduate and came up through the ranks holding a number of leads during his high school days. He then worked with and directed for Children’s Theatre of Wauwatosa, Whitman Middle School and Elmbrook Schools while finishing his degree in Theater Education at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Following graduation, he spent two years directing for the prestigious Children's Theatre of Charlotte in Charlotte, NC. He was a Resident Teaching Artist and taught musical theatre classes, creative drama, and directed a number of musicals.

The grand finale for the song, “One Singular Sensation” promises to be show stopping. Working with a locally based nationally recognized costume shop, Steffan has the cast in gilded gold costumes and shows ready for that final kick line to bring the audience to their feet.

“Please come to the show and support the heart and soul and sweat these kids have poured into this show,” he said. “You will have a phenomenal time.”

A CHORUS LINE

When: 7 p.m. April 19, 20, 26 and 27; 2 p.m. matinee April 21

Where: Wauwatosa West High School, 11400 W. Center St.

Cost: Adults - $15; Senior citizens - $12.50; Students - $10; Children 6 and under $7.50 (Caution for bringing young children: there is adult situation and minor language in this play)

Online Credit Card Ticket Sales: seatyourself.biz/trojanplayers

Tickets available for purchase 30 minutes prior to each performance at school box office.