By Dylan Gutowski '25
SJR’s recent performance of A Chorus Line was nothing short of extraordinary. Staging a complex musical in just six weeks is a remarkable feat, but our talented cast and crew rose to the occasion, delivering a show that will be remembered as a milestone in our school's performing arts history.
A Chorus Line is a celebrated Broadway musical that delves into the lives of aspiring dancers auditioning for a spot in a Broadway chorus line. Set on a bare stage, the story unfolds as the director, Zach, asks the dancers to share their personal stories, fears, and dreams. Through dynamic choreography and iconic music, the show reveals the intense dedication, perseverance, and sacrifice required to pursue a career in dance, while highlighting the unique, heartfelt journeys of each performer.
Reflecting on the production, Producer John Asselta shared, “This show turned out better than I had ever imagined. I knew we had talent, but I was truly impressed by how hard the cast worked and how much they developed, especially as dancers.”
Co-directors Marc David Wright and Susan Van Buskirk highlighted the significance and challenges of staging A Chorus Line in a letter on the front cover of the program: "This show is one of the most challenging musicals we've ever done at St. Joe's. For the past two years, we have done musicals that test our students' singing and acting skills. A Chorus Line puts our students' dancing skills to the ultimate test.”
One of the most challenging aspects of A Chorus Line is that it required performers to excel in singing, acting, and dancing. This triple-threat demand pushed SJR students to develop their skills beyond what they initially thought possible. The hard work and dedication paid off, resulting in a performance that surpassed all expectations.
Derek Bedell ’26, who played Paul and brought the audience to tears during his poignant monologue, said, “The show really helped everyone to grow a substantial amount as an actor and a person."
Wright recalled, “Since the show was a lot of mini-moments with different characters, the biggest challenge was to bring the story together in the end. We spent a lot of time working on the final dramatic group scene before the iconic 'What I Did For Love'… It was the last missing piece of the puzzle, and in the end, our students nailed the emotional story of that scene, which is really the climax of the show."
Wright and Van Buskirk also reflected on the deeper impact of the show, stating, "This show and these characters remind us that true fulfillment comes from pursuing what sets our hearts on fire, regardless of the difficulties we may face.”
Van Buskirk added, "Additionally, A Chorus Line teaches empathy and understanding of other people's journeys, no matter how dissimilar from ours they are. It was so important that we get across these messages of challenge, struggle, and ultimately resilience, especially since A Chorus Line was based on the true stories of a group of dancers in the 70s."
Nick Pantano ‘25, who played the humorous and charming role of Mark, had his own interpretation of the show. "I think that the message of this show is that regardless of how good a group is, the individuals are more beautiful. Each person’s story matters. They make us who we are, and that is very important. To be one’s self is the most beautiful thing.”
The success of A Chorus Line not only showcased the incredible talent at SJR but also highlighted the dedication and resilience of our students and staff. This production has set a new benchmark for future performances, and we eagerly anticipate what the SJR Performing Arts Program will bring to the stage next.
A Chorus Line is a celebrated Broadway musical that delves into the lives of aspiring dancers auditioning for a spot in a Broadway chorus line. Set on a bare stage, the story unfolds as the director, Zach, asks the dancers to share their personal stories, fears, and dreams. Through dynamic choreography and iconic music, the show reveals the intense dedication, perseverance, and sacrifice required to pursue a career in dance, while highlighting the unique, heartfelt journeys of each performer.
Reflecting on the production, Producer John Asselta shared, “This show turned out better than I had ever imagined. I knew we had talent, but I was truly impressed by how hard the cast worked and how much they developed, especially as dancers.”
Co-directors Marc David Wright and Susan Van Buskirk highlighted the significance and challenges of staging A Chorus Line in a letter on the front cover of the program: "This show is one of the most challenging musicals we've ever done at St. Joe's. For the past two years, we have done musicals that test our students' singing and acting skills. A Chorus Line puts our students' dancing skills to the ultimate test.”
One of the most challenging aspects of A Chorus Line is that it required performers to excel in singing, acting, and dancing. This triple-threat demand pushed SJR students to develop their skills beyond what they initially thought possible. The hard work and dedication paid off, resulting in a performance that surpassed all expectations.
Derek Bedell ’26, who played Paul and brought the audience to tears during his poignant monologue, said, “The show really helped everyone to grow a substantial amount as an actor and a person."
Wright recalled, “Since the show was a lot of mini-moments with different characters, the biggest challenge was to bring the story together in the end. We spent a lot of time working on the final dramatic group scene before the iconic 'What I Did For Love'… It was the last missing piece of the puzzle, and in the end, our students nailed the emotional story of that scene, which is really the climax of the show."
Wright and Van Buskirk also reflected on the deeper impact of the show, stating, "This show and these characters remind us that true fulfillment comes from pursuing what sets our hearts on fire, regardless of the difficulties we may face.”
Van Buskirk added, "Additionally, A Chorus Line teaches empathy and understanding of other people's journeys, no matter how dissimilar from ours they are. It was so important that we get across these messages of challenge, struggle, and ultimately resilience, especially since A Chorus Line was based on the true stories of a group of dancers in the 70s."
Nick Pantano ‘25, who played the humorous and charming role of Mark, had his own interpretation of the show. "I think that the message of this show is that regardless of how good a group is, the individuals are more beautiful. Each person’s story matters. They make us who we are, and that is very important. To be one’s self is the most beautiful thing.”
The success of A Chorus Line not only showcased the incredible talent at SJR but also highlighted the dedication and resilience of our students and staff. This production has set a new benchmark for future performances, and we eagerly anticipate what the SJR Performing Arts Program will bring to the stage next.