From the pen of legendary composer Marvin Hamlisch comes the Tony Award® and Pulitzer Prize-winning singular sensation, A Chorus Line; headed to Walton Arts Center June 24-26. The original production was developed, directed and choreographed by the renowned Michael Bennett and went on to be nominated for 12 Tonys, winning 9 of the coveted trophies.
The story of A Chorus Line focuses on the audition process for dancers vying for a part in a Broadway show. The director cuts the group down to a select few hopefuls. During the process, each dancer is asked to tell their story through the series of witty, emotional and often relatable songs that make up the iconic soundtrack.
Baayork Lee (Photo by Marc J. Franklin)
Directing the production appearing at Walton Arts Center is Baayork Lee; acclaimed director, actress, author and choreographer. Lee’s life inspired the creation of the character Connie Wong, which she played in the original 1975 production. She has since gone on to direct and choreograph more than 35 international productions of the show.
Lee’s long history with the show began during the development of A Chorus Line when she was Michael Bennett’s assistant. She shares, “In those days, if you were an assistant on Broadway, you worked on all the shows that they did. One day, Michael Bennett came to me and he said, ‘I would like to use your life in the show.’ And I said, ‘Do you really want to know about a short Asian who wanted to be a ballet dancer?’”
In the Shubert Theatre basement
during A Chorus Line.
Bennett assured her that audiences would want to hear her story, and thus the character Connie was born. Lee says that it’s very sweet to be immortalized in such a special way, but that more importantly, her story has given an opportunity to countless Asian actresses and dancers. “Even now after 46 years, I am so honored that I was able to give Asian women a part on Broadway, on tours, in repertory theater and in high schools. That’s what I’m really proud of; that I can give them representation.”
Little did Lee know that she would still be involved in the show all these years later, but she says that she is thrilled to be keeping Bennett’s vision for the show alive. “When the audience comes into the theater they are seeing exactly what Michael Bennett created. A black box, with the audience looking into to what no one has ever seen before – an audition for a show.”
It seems that another thing that hasn’t changed over the years is Lee’s audition process, where she says that art imitates life, “The audition process that you see on stage is exactly the same as what I do for the show. The difference is, I’m not trying to get information from the dancers, I’m trying to give them information – about the characters.”
Baayork Lee, right, rehearses with new cast members. (Photo by Mason Wood)
It’s understandable why those characters are close to Lee’s heart. To her, they aren’t just the characters that audiences have come to love over the years. To Lee, these characters represent the real people who inspired them, just as she did for the character of Connie Wong. “These stories that are told in A Chorus Line were told to Michael Bennett and they are real people’s stories. They’re not made up. These people lived these lives and they’re all my best friends.”
Ticket prices start at $33, plus applicable fees and can be purchased in-person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am until 2 pm, by calling 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am until 5 pm or by visiting waltonartscenter.org.