A Chorus Line, created by author Michael Bennett in the 1970s, is a musical about life in musical theatre. Avoiding any metaphysical use of this self-referencing plot, A Chorus Line holds nothing back in relating the often tragic and bleak stories of what life is actually like on Broadway’s ultra-competitive bottom rung. The musical takes place at an audition where a diverse group of dancers have come to fight for an ultimately marginal victory: a spot in the faceless chorus line.

Directed by Elenna Mosoff, the UC Follies’ current production of A Chorus Line at Hart House Theatre pleasantly surpassed my expectations of what campus music theatre could be. The now-classic show tunes were brought to life by a talented cast and backed up by solid direction and impressive production values.

One fatal flaw that many professional musicals encounter, and which this production managed to avoid, is the trade-off of acting talent for dance and vocal skill. While many musicals are well-sung and well-choreographed, most fall short when it comes time for the performers to shed their musical skin and “act” to bridge over the plot between songs. The fact that this production was able, for the most part, to beat this curse is an impressive testament to the collective talent of the cast, and also to the versatility of the director.

One of the most impressive performances of the show was entirely dramatic. Midway through the audition, the dancers are ordered off stage to learn the lyrics to the final number. During this break, Zach, the mysterious and inquisitive Director (Byron Laviolette), takes the stage and is confronted by one of the dancers, Cassie (Miranda Plant). It becomes obvious that the two share a turbulent romantic history and now, after a failed stint in Hollywood, Cassie is back on Broadway to audition for her ex. The scene which ensues between them is moving and memorable not because of the writing or the staging, but because of the real chemistry which seemed to flow on stage between Laviolette and Plant. Their relationship came across as incredibly real and stood out on its own as a fine piece of drama, which just happened to be sandwiched between two ends of a musical.

Another stand-out performance was delivered by Jamie Arfin who portrays Val, the less-than-endowed chorus girl who decides to surgically improve her, uh, chances, of making it in showbiz. Wearing a costume which maybe covered ten percent of her body, Arfin performed the memorable tune “Dance: Ten, Looks: Three” in front of a huge audience at Hart House with the confidence and talent of a Broadway professional.

By the end of the show, which was met with a standing ovation, it was apparent that, despite an under-rehearsed orchestra, the whole cast was going to score big with this Broadway classic.

A Chorus Line continues at the Hart House Theatre until Feb. 14. For more info, visit www.ucfollies.ca.