A CHORUS LINE Begins Tonight at CC Playhouse

The ultimate "Singular Sensation," A Chorus Line, will dance its way onto Playhouse Mainstage this summer, beginning tonight, July 24.

This groundbreaking Pulitzer Prize-winning musical is for anyone who has ever put it all on the line, whether for a dream, for attention, for approval, or for love. The show follows 17 would-be dancers in their quest to make the cut for a new Broadway musical. It's what they've worked for - with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives - for the chance to do what they've always dreamed of. One by one, they come forward to share the stories of their lives, putting themselves on the line to get a job in the line. When they're done, so is the audition; and only eight will remain. Winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Score and Book, A Chorus Line is a brilliantly complex fusion of dance, song and compellingly authentic drama, filled with dazzling songs like "I Hope I Get It," "At the Ballet," "What I Did for Love" and "One."

Directing and choreographing the production is René Pulliam, head of the BFA program in Musical Theatre at the University of Mississippi. Ms. Pulliam has directed and/or choreographed hundreds of musicals across the United States, including the West Coast premieres of Smile, Closer than Ever, and Over Here. Britt Hancock, who most recently directed Mary Poppins, returns to the stage to play Zach, the choreographer of A Chorus Line's untitled musical. Hancock first met Pulliam at the University of Mississippi, where he earned his BFA. "René directed and choreographed our A Chorus Line when I played Mike, a dancer on the line," says Hancock, "and in a way, having her here at the Playhouse to direct me as Zach in this exciting new production feels like I've come full circle. It's an honor and a joy to be working with my friend and mentor once again."

The rest of the cast features many CCP favorites, along with plenty of faces that are new to Playhouse audiences: Daniel Black as Al, Cory Clark as Mark, Kevin Corkum as Mike, Jensen Crain as Kristine, Jake Delaney as Greg, John Dobbratz as Don, Molly Dobbs as Val, DeAnna Etchison as Bebe, Donald Frison as Richie, newcomer Charity Ruth Haskins as Cassie, Katherine Walker Hill as Sheila, newcomer William Hoshida as Bobby, Lina Lee as Connie, Lindsey Mapes as Judy, Jennie Nasser as Maggie, Leila Nelson as Diana, Chaz Sanders as Paul and Caitlin Schaub as Laurie; along with Darbi Banegas as Tricia, Malachi Banegas as Tom, Alli Crain as Lois, Kate Louise Prender as Vicki, Evan Price as Frank, Michael Ruff as Butch and Chance Wall as Roy.

The original production of A Chorus Line opened at the Public Theater's Newman Theatre on May 21, 1975 and transferred to Broadway's Shubert Theatre on July 25. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, nine Tony Awards and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, and ran for nearly 15 years, closing on April 28, 1990 after 6,137 performances. A Chorus Line remains one of the longest-running musicals in Broadway history.

A Chorus Line will run through August 28 and is sponsored by The Conference Center at Fairfield Glade Resort, Cumberland County Bank and Cameron Sexton. This production is rated PG-13 for strong language, mature themes and subject matter. Audience members are strongly encouraged to contact the theater at (931) 484-5000 if they have any questions about the show.

Currently at the Playhouse: Mary Poppins, rated G, sponsored by Plateau Pediatrics, through August 16, and Smoke on the Mountain, rated G, sponsored by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, through October 10. Upcoming: Ken Ludwig's (Lend Me A Tenor) hilarious farce The Fox on the Fairway, rated PG-13, sponsored by Good Times Wine, Spirits & Brew, August 6 through October 16. At the Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton, TN: Front Page News - Dayton and the World-Famous Scopes Trial, July 17 through 19 and 25 and 26, co-produced by the Playhouse and the Scopes Trial Festival, lead sponsors: the City of Dayton and Rhea County. Tickets at (931) 484-5000 or www.ccplayhouse.com.