Broadway favorite 'Chorus Line' comes to town

Valentine Theatre to host 2 Saturday performances

A scene from "A Chorus Line."

The chance of a lifetime awaits 17 dancers auditioning for A Chorus Line in two Saturday performances as part of the Valentine Theatre's Broadway season.

"It's fun when you're trying to work in an eclectic variety of productions; that's hard to do in a 900-seat house. A Chorus Line and Hair [March 1] epitomize that. They are going to be two of the biggest productions for the Valentine. This is a plume in our hat," said Matt Lentz, director of marketing and public relations.

A bare stage is the set for the dancers who put it all on the line to earn a spot in a Broadway musical. The stories behind the dancers and choreographer shed light on their personalities.

A Chorus Line opened on Broadway in 1975 and won nine 1976 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book. It closed in 1990 after 6,137 performances. The show won a 1984 Tony Special Award for the longest-running musical. That title is now held by Chicago. Its 2006 revival lasted nearly two years and closed after 759 performances.

The Tony-Award winning score composed by Marvin Hamlisch with lyrics by Edward Kleban includes "What I Did For Love," "One," and "I Hope I Get It."

"A Chorus Line" will be performed at 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday at the Valentine Theatre, 400 N. Superior St. Ticket prices range from $43 to $63. Information: 419-242-2787 or valentinetheatre.com.

Dark Reading

The Toledo Repertoire Theatre's Edgy Rep series Saturday features a reading of the dark comedy The Pillowman.

This Martin McDonagh tale is weaved around Katurian, a fiction writer played by John Paul Welch, who is being questioned by police regarding a series of gruesome child murders in his hometown that mirror his short stories.

The Pillowman contains strong language and mature subject matter. It is not recommended for children or those who are easily offended.

"The Pillowman" will be read at 8 p.m. Saturday in the University of Toledo Center for Performing Arts Studio Theatre, 1910 W. Rocket Dr. A reception catered by Manhattans will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. Information: 419-243-9277 or toledorep.org.

Mirror Submissions

Creators of The Mirror Monologues are seeking submissions from women writers about the roles that mirrors have played in their lives.

Donna Guthrie, one of the creators of The Mirror Monologues, said in a news release: "We want both serious and humorous pieces about a time when you looked in a mirror and felt a strong emotion. Examples include: your first eyeglasses, braces, graduation, wedding day, pregnancy, important job interview, and your changing self-image on milestone birthdays."

This competition is open to women ages 16 and older. Winning entries will be included in a 90-minute staged reading of new scripts in New York in spring, 2014. Winners will be notified at least six weeks before the showcase and their names will be listed on the Mirror Web site.

Submissions will be accepted Feb. 1 through March 31. One submission per person. Information: themirrormonologues.com.

Symphony Circus

Acrobats and the Toledo Symphony will take the Stranahan Theater stage Friday in Cirque de la Symphonie.

The symphony will perform classical masterpieces including "The Waltz from Swan Lake," while an aerial duo performs and "Danse Macabre," to an aerial rope act.

Numerous Cirque performances including acrobats, aerial flyers, dancers, contortionists, jugglers, balancers, and strongmen will showcase their talents.

"Cirque de la Symphonie" will be performed at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd. Ticket prices range from $34 to $64. Information: 419-246-8000 or www.toledosymphony.com.

Please send theater items at least two weeks in advance to jnjaim@theblade.com