A Chorus Line: The Complete Book of the Musical

by James Kirkwood Jr., Michael Bennett, Nicholas Dante

(Applause Books). It is hard to believe that over 25 years have passed since A Chorus Line first electrified a New York audience. The memories of the show's birth in 1975, not to mention those of its 15-year-life and poignant death, remain incandescent and not just because nothing so exciting has happened to the American musical since. For a generation of theater people and theatergoers, A Chorus Line was and is the touchstone that defines the glittering promise, more often realized in lengend than in reality, of the Broadway way. This impressive book contains the complete book and lyrics of one of the longest running shows in Broadway history with a preface by Samuel Freedman, an introduction by Frank Rich and lots of photos from the stage production.

Genres: Plays, Theatre, Drama, Musicals, Fiction, LGBT, Music

1 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1975

About the author

James Kirkwood, Jr. was an American playwright and author born in Los Angeles, California. His father, James Kirkwood, Sr. was an actor and director in silent films and his mother was actress Lila Lee. He died in 1989 of spinal cancer.

Reviews

[Eva B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

With its breakneck pace and gutting emotional center, A Chorus Line is a masterclass in how to weave together a show that is not only a single act but a single scene. My one nitpick is that in script form it was very easy to get the massive cast confused with each other and forget whose introduction was whose since you couldn't connect them with a face. My favorite songs were One and What I Did For Love--sorry to disappoint but I guess I'm basic.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, I should log this as being read probably 100 times, with all the months of rehearsal.

[Greg Kerestan · Rating 4 out of 5]

We've had musical comedies, musical dramas, musical fantasies, even musical thrillers- but very few musical documentaries. James Kirkwood and Marvin Hamlisch mine interviews with 1970s Broadway dancers, in an era when they were expected to be masters of their craft but not triple threats, to craft this documentary-style look at the inner lives of anonymous faces on a chorus line, as their careers begin, end or stall in the middle. This masterful experiment hasn't aged entirely well, as new writing styles in theatre and the rise of conservatory training and high school musicals have meant that more well-rounded performers are getting work, rather than career hoofers who don't act or sing. Nonetheless, "A Chorus Line" is a snapshot of a moment in history when theatre performers had an expiration date, and did everything they could to keep dancing until it broke them.

[Sofie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There aren't many musicals where reading the book is almost more enjoyable than listening to the cast recording. You don't get the Jewel Box monologue on the CR, or the wonderful lines of Bobby and Judy. I have read this so many times, and I will never tire of it.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s rare that a musical translates well on page – there tends to be a feeling of the work being half finished – and while A Chorus Line would be the better with the inclusion of dance numbers, the book stands on its own merits. There’s only the flimsiest of plots – an audition for a new Broadway musical, culminating in the finale featuring the chosen few – but the moments feel earned, and it’s a great encapsulation of the experience of the majority of actors and dancers on Broadway.

Timing also owes something to my enjoyment: I recently attended a performance that included a modern dance element, and the choreography was mediocre. There was one moment when the underused talent of the dancers peeked through, and I remember thinking how frustrating it must be as a dancer, to spend so many years for such a short career that is almost entirely dependent on the whim of others. Reading A Chorus Line only a few weeks later deepened my appreciation for the hard road the vast majority of dancers commit to. Highly recommended.

[Vanessa (V.C.) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Chorus Line was ahead of its time and to this day there is no other musical like it. Even the book stands out in how it reads SO WELL on paper whereas many musical/librettos don't translate as well on the page. I loved how this book brought in so much context to how A Chorus Line came to be, which further makes reading and listening to it feel extra special. It also somehow made you feel like you're seeing A Chorus Line even if you never seen a performance of it before in person. Such a simple premise for a musical that truly broke boundaries in gay representation and representation for people of color and in overall being so creative with the musical form without too many characters and a convoluted plot. A Chorus Line is also one of so few musicals that is consistent from beginning to end, no filler songs, no empty space that feels like the musical has no idea where it's going, it never drags, it's never boring, it's always interesting, and is really brilliant even by today's standards. What a gem of a book, what an honor of a musical.

[Keegan Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for a stage managing position...I knew some of the music and wasn't impressed - the last time I had actually listened to the score was when I was younger and my Mom had let us watch the movie version of this while we were on a road trip - but the book is pretty good - Paul's monologue especially is wonderful - it's powerful and one of the more honest moments in the play - I wish the play had more moments like that, but all in all a pretty enjoyable read.

[Lorenzo H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite musical of all time and holds a special place in my heart. A CHORUS LINE shows the stories of 17 unique dancers, surviving through the last round of auditions, just for a part in the chorus or ensemble to back up an unnamed star in an unnamed show. You have to see the show live though. You will laugh, cry, be hanging on the edge of your seat, and not be able to sit down during the finale.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never been able to see A Chorus Line, but I have been obsessed with it for years. I can't believe it took me this long to read the script. There's definitely a wealth of content I have been missing out on.

[J.A.]

Great concept / collage musical.

[sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

just absolutely breathtaking. my favorite musical of all time for good reason. i cannot get enough. i wish i was a dancer!!!!!

[mia! · Rating 4 out of 5]

literally amazing musical so detailed and intricate u can tell there was a lot of thought put into it i love it so complex best show i've been in tbh

[Isabell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im so sad it’s over :,)

[Megan Kerrigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 would recommend doing this show. Completed my theatre kid dramaturgical evolution

[emily berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

forever a five star

[Kathy]

I've always been intrigued by the audition process, what it must be like to stand out there trying to sell yourself. This play opens the door for me, gives me a taste of what it's like. I've also enjoyed the behind the scenes books written about this play.

[Tanja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saw it in London the summer of 2013. I did not know the story, had in pasning head many of the songs, so was blown away by the show and the very emotionel performance.

[Josh Waterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book second time reading it this year!

[Ray LaManna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good to return to the text of a musical I loved on Broadway when I saw it with the original cast. The hopes and fears of Broadway dancers and actors still resonant today even after 40 years.

[Sara Goldenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a little bit of history, then the word version of the story. If you've seen the movie or the show a couple of times, you can recite it while you read this.

[Collette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great inside look at this landmark musical.