BACK ON THE CHORUS LINE PROFESSIONAL

Avian recalls: вЂњThe funniest story was about Marvin Hamlisch. The audience will go nuts!вЂ™вЂќДЄs luck would have it, Bennett was good friends with a young, rising star composer who lived here in L.A. вЂњAnd Michael said, вЂI canвЂ™t keep doing this all night long. WeвЂ™ll write the show on its feet!вЂ™ So we started by transcribing the original tapes.вЂќДЄvian recalls how workshop actors would take the transcriptions and recite them as never-ending monologues. вЂњJoe said, 'You can come down to our space and play here - $100 a week.' And weвЂ™re going, Oh God! Alright, laughs Avian.

BACK ON THE CHORUS LINE PROFESSIONAL

With PappвЂ™s assistance, Bennett created the first of what is now commonly known in professional theatre as a 'workshop.' That was his vision.вЂќДЄvian says Bennett asked Joseph Papp at New YorkвЂ™s Public Theater for help.

(The choreographer died in 1987 at the age of 44.) вЂњBut Michael always knew he wanted to created a show about dancers. вЂњWell, you donвЂ™t know what you are creating at the time,' recalls Bob Avian, a longtime collaborator of Bennett's. He still had tons of tape and stories to get though from the other interviews. He created the classic Connie Wong character in the show based on Lee. But it was her career challenges early on as a petite, Asian woman fighting to work in the American theater that captured BennettвЂ™s attention. In fact, sheвЂ™s directing the Hollywood Bowl production. Lee is now an esteemed choreographer and director. Just being at his house and just talking to him.вЂќ He just put the tape on and I just started talking. вЂњAnd he said, 'You know, I really think your story is interesting.' And so I just started talking. I love to dance,вЂќ Lee says at a rehearsal for the Bowl show. But Bennett was her close friend and choreographer colleague. She preferred to take a break in her country home outside the city. вЂњThe only thing I can do is 'King and I' and 'Flower Drum Song.' That was it.вЂќ вЂњWhy would somebody want to put my life on the stage?вЂќ asked dancer Baayork Lee. He explained to the dancers about his idea to stage a musical based on them. Meanwhile, Bennett recorded every word - for 12 hours. So he invited a small group of dancers to a downtown Manhattan studio to share a cheap jug of wine and to talk about their lives. It would be set inside the real world of Broadway. It started with nothing more than a tape recorder and a circle of dancer friends in New York City, circa 1974.Дecades before MTVвЂ™s 'Real World' or even 'Real Housewives,' a young choreographer named Michael Bennett had an idea for a reality show, of sorts. But gold top hats and high-kicks aside, the show has much more humble roots. Philharmonic presents a new production of one of BroadwayвЂ™s flashiest hits. After a few more kicks and turns, the director shouts out: вЂњFrom the top - five, six, seven, eight!вЂќ And with that, the classic 1975 stage story about the hardscrabble life of dancers unfolds.ДЇrom July 29-31 at the Hollywood Bowl, the L.A. вЂњStep, kick, kick, leap, kick, touch - again!вЂќ Fans of the iconic Broadway hit musical, вЂњA Chorus Line,вЂќ already know what famous song lyrics come next. Production Supervisor Bob Avian and Director Baayork Lee were part of the original cast and creative team for вЂњA Chorus LineвЂќ when it premiered on Broadway in 1975.Дancers in вЂњA Chorus LineвЂќ give their characters a moment for quiet thought anytime they are 'above the line.' Seen here with original creative team member Bob Avian, the duo is adapting Michael Bennett's original choreography to fit the huge Hollywood Bowl stage.Дancer Robert Fairchild cools off during rehearsal for вЂњA Chorus Line.вЂќ Phil production of вЂњA Chorus LineвЂќ is directed and choreographed by original cast member Baayork Lee. Ten years later, she revived the role on Broadway and now she returns to play the role inspired by theater icon Baayork Lee at the Hollywood Bowl.

Elaine Marcos started her professional career playing Connie Wong during a national tour of 'A Chorus Line' in 1996. PhilвЂ™s production of вЂњA Chorus LineвЂќ features veteran Broadway dancers such as Spencer Liff (far left) and Robert Fairchild (next to Liff). The cast of вЂњA Chorus LineвЂќ warms up for rehearsal in the gym at Hollywood United Methodist Church.

Back on the chorus line