Boom!

A Chorus Line

In the 1970’s, Michael Bennet knew he wanted to make a show about what it was really like to be a dancer on Broadway, in all of it’s truth, heartbreak, and grittiness. 

In New York City, he gathered together a group of people who were in “the business”—dancers who had been dancing their entire lives. There was wine, and there were drugs, and they talked about what it was like to be a dancer, from midnight until 6 in the morning. They talked about what got them there, what it means to them, and why they love it. And Michael Bennet recorded all of it, and had it transcribed, and said, I’m going to make a show out of this. And he did. And it was A Chorus Line. 

A bunch of us in the cast realized that being a part of this production, it was only right that we try and recreate this. And so last night, we all gathered together in a room, and drank a lot of wine, and talked. We went through the circle, and each of us shared why theater saved our lives. We said why we love it, and how truly meaningful it is to us. 

It was one of the most amazing experiences of my entire life. 

We have only been working on this show for 2 weeks, and we all agreed that we already feel closer to the people in this cast, than to people we’ve been spending time with since school started. Last night, we shared the most tender parts of ourselves, without fear or wariness. There was a lot of crying. And a lot of laughing. And it was absolutely beautiful.

Of course Michael Bennet made a show. How could you not want to recreate this kind of honest emotion?

It really made me realize that the artists in my life—the actors, musicians, writers—are truly, the most passionate people I know. They dream the biggest. And wish the biggest. And are emotional and honest and brave. Those are the people I feel at home with, whether it be in Chicago or here at school. Always. 

And I also realized how absolutely magical it is to sit in a group of people you trust wholeheartedly, and just be listened to. To talk, and feel vastly without barriers, is one of the most cleansing things you can do. It’s magic, it really is. 

These folks give me so much to be happy about. And I am so grateful.

Last night, I went to bed at 4 am. 

When I woke up, my mouth still tasted like wine.