UPDATED: Feb. 22, 2018 at 8:16 p.m.

The sixth-longest running Broadway musical “A Chorus Line” is coming to central New York this month for three performances only.

The musical narrates the stories of 17 young dancers auditioning for a new Broadway musical, hoping to impress the imperious director Zach. They compete against each other and express their personal issues through song.

“A Chorus Line” will be hosted in Syracuse thanks to a collaboration between The Oncenter Civic Center Theaters and the Famous Artists Broadway Theater Series. The two organizations are sharing facilities and talent between each other.

“We bring the national, most successful musical(s) around the country,” said Tina Niles of NAC Entertainment. “Our goal is to bring entertainment to Syracuse in order that people can come and enjoy it, and this musical is a classic piece that we wanted everyone to see.”

The Famous Artists Broadway Theater Series, founded by Murray Bernthal, has presented Syracuse audiences with some of the world’s best performances, including classical concerts, opera, ballet and theater for more than 60 years, Niles said.

She also said the selection criteria is based on three main points: which Broadway shows are on tour, which shows can fit on each of the stages available and whether or not they’re coming on tour close to the area.

For Niles, a big draw for “A Chorus Line” is its music, namely the recognizable songs. “Classics like ‘What I Did for Love’ and ‘I Hope I Get It!’ will make the audience come out of the theater dancing and singing,” she said.

Kahlia Davis, who plays the role of the sassy and conflicted Sheila Bryant, called bringing the experience of an audition to a live audience “amazing.”

The Australian actress said this musical’s strength is in the fact that everyone can relate to it in a different way. The musical describes different facets of human life, from broken marriages and unhappy family lives to the discovery of homosexuality and the importance of beauty inside the show business.

Davis suggested audience members come in with an open mind.

“There is something that you will find hilarious and something you might find saddening, but be ready to enjoy it,” Davis said.

The likeability and success of the songs and dialogues in “A Chorus Line,” written by the legendary composer Marvin Hamlisch, earned the show 10 Tony Awards and one Pulitzer Prize for Drama through the years, according to the playbill. Davis said the biggest challenge for her in her role is to be able to honor such an outstanding Broadway masterpiece.

Niles said this is just the beginning of the musical experience that the city of Syracuse will have in 2018. After “A Chorus Line,” the audience should be ready for the incoming “Kinky Boots” and “Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles” in March, followed by “Stomp” in April and “Dirty Dancing” in May.

“A Chorus Line” will dance into Syracuse’s Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now through the Oncenter Box Office, Famous Artists and Ticketmaster.

CORRECTION: In a previous version of this post, Tina Niles of NAC Entertainment was misquoted. The Daily Orange regrets this error.

Published on February 14, 2018 at 10:59 pm

Contact Pietro: pbaragio@syr.edu