The Line Still Holds: “A Chorus Line” Dazzles at Goodspeed

Certain songs that feel etched into your DNA — melodies and lyrics you somehow just know, as if you were born with them. For me, A Chorus Line is a musical that has lived in the background of my life since childhood. Whether through commercials squeezed between episodes of Sesame Street and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, or summer youth theater reviews that couldn’t resist a nod to the show, its music has always been there. So, attending Goodspeed Opera House’s latest revival of A Chorus Line felt not just like a night at the theater — it felt like a trip down memory lane.

From the opening downbeat to the final glittering number, this production is sensational. Adam Souza (Musical Director) conducts the orchestra with energy from the first number onward. Sitting in the audience, I found myself not only fully engaged in the action onstage, but also reflecting on my own journey as a performer — the way this show shaped my earliest dreams and understandings of what it means to perform.  With the studio mirrors as the only set pieces on stage and few props, Rob Ruggerio’s (Director) skillful direction gave the tension and relationships on stage more meaning overall, and kept the audience engaged.  He directs one of the cast members in “I Hope I Get It” to actually break the proscenium frame and use the leg of the balcony box to stretch before auditioning, and this choice brings the audience into even closer communion with the actor. Later,  when she is one of the first cuts, though we don’t know her name, we were already rooting for her.

A Chorus Line was developed by Michael Bennett in a workshop- style that captured the true stories of real professional dancers over the course of a few days. The resulting musical doesn’t sugarcoat the sacrifices, the heartbreak, and the perseverance it takes to build a career as a performer; it honors it — and the Goodspeed cast rises beautifully to the challenge. Each performer captures not just a character, but an entire life — compressed into moments of monologue, movement, and music. Synchronicity in the choreography is flawless, but there is also individuality in every face. The ensemble is the heart of A Chorus Line, and Goodspeed’s cast pulses with life, energy, and emotional clarity. These are not stereotypes of dancers desperate for a job; they are flesh-and-blood artists just hoping to do the one thing they love — dance. The result is both exhilarating and deeply moving.

Despite the modest size of the Goodspeed stage, the Director, Rob Ruggiero and choreographer (Parker Esse, with Baayork Lee) have made expert use of the space.  To make room for the large cast, the stage was extended and the orchestra was moved out of the pit. The decision by Ruggerio to place the director’s voice behind the audience further immerses us in the audition-room reality. We become part of the casting process — witness to it and maybe even judges ourselves.

Standout performances were plentiful, but special mentions must go to Diego Guevara (Paul).  He brought exceptional vulnerability and authenticity to his character.  The actress portraying Cassie (Karli DiNardo) also brought precision and raw emotion to her demanding dance solo. Costuming (Joseph Shrope) was another strength of the production: vintage enough to evoke the 1975 original, but never veering into parody or feeling dated. Lighting design (John Lasiter) also added greatly to the mood, with clever use of perimeter lights giving added depth and intensity.

This production’s success isn’t just a win for Goodspeed — it’s a win for Connecticut’s professional theater scene as a whole. Speaking with cast members after the show, I learned that many were performing at Goodspeed for the first time — including the actress who played Diana (Erika Perez-Gotay), hailing from Pleasantville, NY, who described this as her dream role. The shared sentiment among the cast was clear: Goodspeed is a special place to work. That kind of enthusiasm bodes well for the future of professional theater in our region.

So, yes, A Chorus Line is still, without question, “one singular sensation.” Its emotional depth, its demanding choreography, and its piercing truths about life as a performer make it as relevant — and as powerful — today as ever.

Goodspeed’s production is a triumphant revival that honors the legacy of the original while breathing fresh life into every beat. Due to popular demand, the run has been extended through November 2 — and if the sold-out performance I attended is any indication, you’d be wise to secure your tickets sooner rather than later.  So, make a day of it in East Haddam. Let A Chorus Line remind you why theater matters — and why the ensemble will always be the soul of the stage.

A Chorus Line runs through November 2nd at Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam.  Tickets can be purchased online at 

https://www.goodspeed.org/shows/a-chorus-line or at the box office.