Broadway star directs show at WCU

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Broadway star Charlotte D’Amboise, second from right, is directing “A Chorus Line” at Western Carolina University.

Western Carolina University’s College of Fine and Performing Arts will present the Broadway musical “A Chorus Line” Thursday, March 18, through Sunday, March 21, at the Fine and Performing Arts Center.

The musical is one of Broadway’s longest-running shows. It tells the story of the determination of the performer and focuses on the actor’s ongoing task of trying to land a job for a Broadway musical.

Charlotte D’Amboise, who was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in the acclaimed Broadway revival of “A Chorus Line,” will direct and choreograph the WCU production. The musical includes the songs “At the Ballet,” “Dance: Ten; Looks: Three,” “The Music and the Mirrors,” “What I did for Love” and “One.”

“‘One’ is my favorite song within this musical because it represents a typical Broadway musical including beautiful sequined costumes and unforgettable dancing formations,” said Bradley Martin, director of WCU’s musical theatre program.  “There are many emotional climaxes throughout the show displaying just how difficult it is to get a job on Broadway and some of the age limitations in performing.”

Patrick Detloff will play the role of Zach, a Broadway director, and Tyler McKenzie will play Larry, his assistant. Sixteen dancers are vying for the spotlight, including Ariana Debose as Cassie, Jonathan Cobrda as Paul and Emily Gill as Diana. Portraying other dancers are Peter O’Neal, Cassandra Hlong, Dalton Hood, Jessica Humphrey, Casey Weems, Cameron Feuerhelm, Elizabeth Wiltcher, Leslie Putnam, Desmond Anthony, Joseph Callahan, Jaclyn Helms, Christina DeSoto and Jordan Snead.

Throughout the years, the musical has won many honors including Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards, Obie Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

D’Amboise, the director of the production, is married to Terrence Mann, the Broadway veteran who is the Carolyn Plemmons Phillips and Ben R. Phillips Distinguished Professor of Musical Theatre at WCU.

Tickets are $20 for adults; $15 for faculty and staff, and adults age 60 and older; and $5 for students. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 18, through Saturday, March 20, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 21.

For more information, contact the FAPAC box office at 828-227-2479 or visit http://www.wcu.edu/fapac.