*Update 3:54 PM: 半岛体育 has updated this story, which was published earlier in the day.
At 9 AM ET June 5, 半岛体育 announced that a non-union Off-Broadway revival of Michael Bennett, James Kirkwood, Nicholas Dante, Marvin Hamlisch, and Edward Kleban's A Chorus Line was scheduled to run in the fall. The musical was going to take place at a real dance studio and run September 5-27.
But following the news that this version of A Chorus Line was going to use non-union performers, which is not typical for a major New York revival (where the actors are usually members of Actors' Equity Association), Concord Theatricals has pulled the rights to the show. This means the revival has now been cancelled. All of the social media accounts and website () associated with the revival have been taken down.
A representative from Concord assured 半岛体育 that there will be other events to celebrate the musical's 50th anniversary, which will be announced at a later date.
Originally directed and choreographed (with Bob Avian) by Bennett, Broadway long-runner A Chorus Line takes place at an audition for a Broadway dance chorus, with the unseen director-choreographer asking his chorus line of hopefuls to share their most personal and raw stories. The original production opened on Broadway after premiering at Off-Broadway's Public in 1975, ultimately winning nine 1976 Tony Awards (including Best Musical) and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Among the favorites introduced by Hamlisch and Kleban's score are "One (Singular Sensation)," "At the Ballet," "Nothing," "What I Did for Love," and "The Music and the Mirror."
Alex Kopnick was going to direct the cancelled revival, with Reed Luplau set to choreograph and Chelsea Melnick music directing.
Said Kopnick in a statement: 鈥�A Chorus Line is the ultimate look into the sacrifices that dancers make in pursuit of their dreams. In celebration of the musical鈥檚 legacy, my dream was to stage this beloved musical inside a dance studio in Chinatown using an amatuer, all non-union cast in the same manner as my previous production, [title of show] in September 2024, which was licensed through Concord Theatricals in the same fashion. The goal was to showcase new voices and talents from across the theater community and to allow audiences to experience the vulnerability of this iconic musical in refreshing new ways. I鈥檓 heartbroken that Concord Theatrical and/or the original rights holders have determined that our amateur production would compromise other celebrations that are official anniversary productions.
鈥淭he overwhelming success of our humble social media campaign and public announcement came as a shock to me. It speaks to the legacy of this impactful show and the unique place it holds in the hearts of the theater community across the country.
鈥淚 also want to make it clear that we never intended to change the DNA of the show, nor alter any of the text or lyrics. The characterization of our site-specific production as immersive in any way beyond an audience being empathetically connected to characters presenting vulnerable stories in close proximity to them, in proscenium-style seating, is not accurate. We also had no intention of detracting from any other celebration of this landmark staple. We are in the process of filing an appeal, as Concord has said we may file for, to continue with the non-commercial production. We will defer to Concord and the original rights holders in the decision they make.鈥�
