Halifax West High School students take the stage for 'A Chorus Line'

Forty-one Halifax West High School students will take the stage later this month for the school's presentation of "A Chorus Line."

"This year we had quite a few trained dancers in the school and we wanted to feature their talents," said artistic director Lorraine Cantwell. "This was an ambitious undertaking and the students have worked hard."

The cast began rehearsing in February about two times a week but now that their show is just weeks away, the students are practicing every night.

A Chorus Line is a musical about 17 Broadway dancers auditioning for spots on a chorus line. The play has 19 main characters and is set on the bare stage of a Broadway theatre.

"Most of the cast are not dancers and it can be complicated ... it's amazing what they've been able to do," said Cantwell.

But for Grade 12 student Emily Faulkner, who plays Cassie, Zach's former love interest in the play, this is a dream role.

Faulkner is not new to the stage at Halifax West, as she has performed in the school's productions in Grade 10 and 11 as well.

The part of Zach's assistant choreographer Larry is played by Emily Anthony, also a dancer.

"This production is cool because it focuses on each individual character. The audience gets to look at each character and decide which they like and don't like," said Anthony, a Grade 12 student. "You get to hear everyone's story. Some 2are funny and some are sad."

The musical provides a glimpse into the personalities of the performers and the choreographer as they describe the events that have shaped their lives and their decisions to become dancers.

"Most musicals have only a few leads, where this one has 19 characters on stage, that makes it different," said Long.

Production choreographer Ian Gilmore says the students have "really picked it up."

In addition to the students on stage, The Chorus Line also has 26 people in its orchestra pit, made up of students and a few alumni.

The Chorus Line will be performed at The Bella Rose Theatre Thursday, May 27 at 8 p.m.; Friday, May 28 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, May 29 at 2 p.m. and Saturday, May 29 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are available online (www.bellaroseartscentre.ca) or by phone at (902) 457-3239

lmckay@hfxnews.ca

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