A Chorus Line original cast recording to be re-released with unheard songs

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the original 1975 Broadway cast recording of A Chorus Line is being re-released on 23rd October 2015.

The album will feature eight bonus tracks that didn't make the final cut of Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban's famous score. 

In 2013 it was announced that the West End revival cast of A Chorus Line would release a new cast album featuring previously unheard material. However, after the musical announced its closure, the album was never made.

A Chorus Line features iconic numbers including 'I Hope I Get It', 'At the Ballet', 'The Music and the Mirror', 'One' and 'What I Did for Love'. The show opened on Broadway in 1975 before transferring to the West End in 1976 where it ran at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. 

Editor's Blog: Top 10 Shows of 2013

When people ask what I do for a living and I explain that I am the Editor of a theatre website I am always asked two questions. Firstly, 'Don't you get bored of going to the theatre every night?' and secondly 'What's the best show you've ever seen?'

My answer to the first question is always no - I do not and never could get bored of going to the theatre every night due to the incredible variety we are so lucky to have in London. If I saw a big West End musical every night I would become bored. If I saw a small fringe play every night I would become bored. But 2013 has seen so many different productions staged all over London which really have pushed theatrical boundaries.

I often find it hard to answer the second question, so throughout the year I have been working on a list of my top ten personal favourite shows of the year... and below is the finished version. I would also just like to thank everyone for their unbelievably amazing support throughout 2013. It has been a very exciting year for West End Frame and, quite simply, we couldn't do it without you. Happy New Year!

10. Chess at the Union Theatre
February 2013 - March 2013

Photo Credit: Mug Photography

For me the most exciting thing about seeing Chess at the Union Theatre was that I was able to be completely open minded as I had absolutely nothing to compare it to. On press night I was surrounded by people discussing how it compared to the original West End production but I had the joy of discovering the show for the first time. Chess was one of the most exciting productions I saw in 2013, the entire run sold out before the first preview! The show took so many risks, all of which paid off. Sarah Galbraith gave the most mesmerising performance as Florence and Christopher Howell and Steven Harris' direction was nothing short of mind-blowing. Their attention to detail was sublime.

Editor's Blog: Top 10 Theatrical Events of 2013

Not only has 2013 been a huge year for high profile theatre openings but it has also seen some spectacular theatrical events take place in London's West End. As Editor of West End Frame most of my evenings are spent reviewing new openings so it always makes a nice change to review a one-off concert or to go to the theatre on a night off to celebrate a show or a cast leaving. 

From last nights to West End stars being born and attending unforgettably stagy concerts, below are my ten personal favourite theatrical events of 2013.  

10. Beverley Knight Joins The Bodyguard

October 2013

Photo Credit: Dan Wooller

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when it was announced that soul diva Beverley Knight was taking over as Rachel Marron in the West End production of The Bodyguard. It wasn't until I arrived at her star-studded media night performance that I realised just how much excitement there was surrounding her casting. I had seen the show once before with Heather Headley in the lead role and enjoyed the performance, but Beverley takes the show to a whole new level. She brought the house down and leads the cast as if she has been performing in the West End for years. Watching her storm on stage on media night was one of the most exciting theatrical events of the year, a real 'a star in born' moment.

Editor's Blog: "This is what we do for love" - the final performance of A Chorus Line

"THIS IS WHAT WE DO FOR LOVE" were the final worlds Leigh Zimmerman screamed over the standing, cheering audience after the emotional, final performance of the London revival of A Chorus Line at the London Palladium last night (31st August 2013). After the final bows, during which the performing cast members were joined by the swings and understudies, Scarlett Strallen thanked the unsung heroes who worked behind the scenes as well as the front of house crew and the orchestra who played from underneath the stage. 

The microphone was then passed to Leigh Zimmerman who made the very valid point about how incredible it is that the producers decided to put on such an iconic show at such an iconic venue in 2013, as it is simply something which does not happen any more. After opening on Broadway in 1975, A Chorus Line went on to become the longest running Broadway show of all time (until it was surpassed by Cats in 1997). The show requires the entire cast to be ridiculously talented triple threats, something which is now rarely required of an entire cast as theatre-land is slowly invaded by celebrity culture and 'from screen to stage' adaptations (something I am not against if done well). However, how incredible that for six golden months, a 'hardcore' (as I call it) piece of musical theatre played to adoring theatre goers at one of London's oldest, most special theatres. 

When the London revival of A Chorus Line was announced, I must admit I didn't know much about the musical at all, other than that it featured the song 'One Singular Sensation' and was about a group of performers auditioning for a show. But there was so much hype surrounding the show that media night couldn't come sooner. 

Interview: Harry Francis, currently playing Mark in A Chorus Line

Harry Francis is currently playing Mark and understudying Mike in the West End production of A Chorus Line. He previously played the same role in the Tel Aviv production of the show.

His other theatre credits include: understudy Boq in Wicked (Apollo Victoria), John in Peter Pan (Dublin), IQ in Hairspray (UK tour), Peter Pan in Peter Pan (Theatre Royal, Brighton) and Baby John in West Side Story (50th anniversary UK tour).

No stranger to the London Palladium, at the age of nine Harry made his West End debut as Louis in The King and I at the iconic theatre. He later returned to the Palladium to play Jeremy Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Harry is also currently organising the Chorus Line cast cabaret ‘What We Did For Love’ which takes place at 11pm on Monday 5th August at The Leicester Square Theatre.

In A Chorus Line, audiences see the “triple-threat” performers tell the heart-rending stories of their characters’ lives after they each hold up their black and white headshots. In What We Did For Love, fans of the show will get to hear songs chosen by the performers themselves, each with a special meaning to them, along with several full-company numbers.

I recently went backstage at the London Palladium and spoke to Harry in his dressing room about what people can expect from the Chorus Line cast cabaret, what he will miss most about the show when it closes and his recent trip to Broadway!

Why did you decide to organise the Chorus Line cast cabaret?

I’ve always wanted to do one, when I was in Hairspray I tried but the closest I got was bringing the cast down to London to do Kinky Kabaret at Freedom. When we were told that A Chorus Line was closing and that the cast album was no longer happening we all decided that we wanted to do something as a company to finish our experiece properly. I’ve been working with David Orchard to put the cabaret together and it’s going to be amazing, we have a very exciting line-up!

The cast of A Chorus Line to star in cabaret show at the Leicester Square Theatre

The cast of the London revival of A Chorus Line will appear in an exclusive cabaret show entitled What We Did For Love at 11pm on Monday 5th August at The Leicester Square Theatre. 

In A Chorus Line, audiences see the “triple-threat” performers tell the heart-rending stories of their characters’ lives after they each hold up their black and white headshots. In What We Did For Love, fans of the show will get to hear songs chosen by the performers themselves, each with a special meaning to them, along with several full-company numbers.

Harry Francis, currently starring as Mark in the musical and conceiver of the show, said: “This cast truly inspires me everyday - they are real triple threats. I wanted to see what different, unique songs they might bring to the table and so there's a great mixture of music, which of course includes musical theatre. Over the past six months you've seen the cast sing about the ‘sweetness and the sorrow’ of their characters’ lives, but now it’s your chance to see the real ‘us’ on stage performing material that we each love – some of which may surprise you."

A Chorus Line confirms early closure and announces European & UK Tours

Producers of A Chorus Line have confirmed that the revival will close on Saturday 31st August 2013. The production was previously booking until 4th January 2014 at the London Palladium. Simon Cowell's X Factor musical (called 'I Can't Sing The Musical') begins previews at the Palladium in February 2014, it is currently unknown what production will fill the gap. 

The producers of A Chorus Line are currently finalising European touring plans for the production that will give audiences in Germany, Holland, France and beyond the chance to see the acclaimed London production, prior to a UK tour beginning in Autumn 2014.

Theatre Gossip: A Chorus Line to close at the end of August

According to various online sources, A Chorus Line will close on 31st August 2013. The production was previously booking until 4th January 2014. It is rumoured that the cast were told earlier today, before the news broke online. Producers are yet to comment and officially confirm the closure.

Simon Cowell's X Factor musical (called 'I Can't Sing The Musical') begins previews at the Palladium in February 2014, it is currently unknown what production will fill the gap. However, there have been rumours that the touring production of Hairspray could transfer to the theatre for a limited season. Please remember nothing has yet been confirmed.

A Chorus Line to release London cast album

John Partridge has revealed that the current West End cast of A Chorus Line will record a new cast album. The cast will also record never-before-heard songs which were written for the show but never made the final cut!

A Chorus Line opened at the London Palladium earlier this year, marking the first London revival of the smash-hit Broadway show. The musical was first seen in London in 1976 and went onto win the Olivier Award for Best Musical. Leigh Zimmerman recently won Best Supporting Actress in a Musical at this years Olivier Awards.

Sneak Peek at... A Chorus Line at the London Palladium

Michael Bennett's production of A Chorus Line will be revived in London for the first time next year. The show will open at the West End's London Palladium on 19th February 2013 with previews from 2nd February 2013. Full casting was recently announced. Below are some pictures of the cast in action!

Full casting announced for A Chorus Line at the London Palladium

Full casting has been announced for the upcoming West End production of A Chorus Line at the London Palladium! The full cast includes: Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (Diana), John Partridge (Zach), Scarlett Strallen (Cassie) and Leigh Zimmerman (Sheila) will be joined by Lucy Adcock (Judy), Georgie Ashford (Trisha), Ed Currie (Bobby), Frances Dee (Kristine), Segun Fawole (Butch), Harry Francis (Mark), Simon Hardwick (Al), Rebecca Herszenhon (Val), James T Lane (Richie), Marc Leslie (Roy), Vicki Lee Taylor (Maggie), Daisy Maywood (Bebe), Alice Jane Murray (Lois), Alastair Postlethwaite (Larry), Andy Rees (Greg), Adam Salter (Mike), Alexzandra Sarmiento (Connie), Michael Steedon (Tom), Gary Watson (Don) and Gary Wood (Paul). Further casting includes Rebecca Giocopazzi, Genevieve Nicole and Ashley Nottingham. 

Alice Jane Murray and Marc Leslie were selected to join the cast of A Chorus Line from the open auditions that were held at the London Palladium back in September 2012. Selected from 2000 hopefuls, 19 year old Alice will be making her West End debut. 

John Partridge & Scarlett Strallen to star in revival of A Chorus Line at the London Palladium

Principal casting has been announced for the forthcoming West End transfer of the Tony Award-winning revival of A Chorus Line, which opens at the London Palladium on 19th February 2013 with previews from 5th February. 

The cast will feature John Partridge as Zach, Scarlett Strallen as Cassie, Leigh Zimmerman as Sheila and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt as Diana.

The show takes a behind-the-scenes look at 17 hopefuls auditioning for just eight places in a new Broadway musical. A Chorus Line has a book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Date, with music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban. Its famous score includes numbers such as "I Hope I Get It", "Sing!" and, most memorably, "One (Singular Sensation)".

A Chorus Line Open Auditions: A success?

Last month is was announced that Michael Bennett's production of A Chorus Line will be revived in London for the first time next year! The show will open at the West End's London Palladium on 19th February 2013 with previews from 2nd February 2012.

The revival is being directed by Bob Avian, who also directed the 2006 Broadway production. Avian was Bennett’s long-term collaborator and his co-choreographer on the original production. A Chorus Line won nine Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama when it opened on Broadway in 1975 and went on to become the then longest-running musical on Broadway, reaching 6,137 performances. It transferred to the West End the following year, winning the Olivier Award for Best New Musical.

A Chorus Line to hold open auditions

You could star in the upcoming first London revival of A Chorus Line! Open auditions will commence on Monday 1st October at 10am – 6pm at the London Palladium (main entrance on Argyll Street) with registration from 9am – 12noon.

The producers are looking for superb male and female dancers/singers aged 18 to 35 to appear in the revival of this multi-award winning musical directed and staged by the original creative team Bob Avian and Baayork Lee.