Opening Night for A Chorus Line at the Skokie Theatre was a major success. A capacity crowd enjoyed the fine performers of MadKap Productions presenting the classic musical.

Lili Javorka (center) with Sarah Sapperstein, Erin Renee Baumrucker, Trevor Hendrix, Whitney Wolf, Khnemu Menu-Ra, and Ben Isabel. Photos by Elizabeth Busnell.

A Chorus Line is a 1975 musical featuring music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban. Set in a Broadway theater, it focuses on dancers auditioning for chorus line positions. It won nine Tony Awards and the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The original Broadway production ran for 6,137 performances and remains the seventh-longest running Broadway show ever. The movie starring Michael Douglas and Terrance Mann was released in 1985.

Sean M. G. Caron and Sarah Sapperstein. Photo by MadKap Productions.

The personalities and lives of the dancers are the heart of the story. Many individual stories and paths come together as the dancers try to fulfill their dreams.

Luis Del Valle. Photo by MadKap Productions

The MadKap Productions performance is directed by Wayne Mell, with music direction by Jeremy Ramey and choreography by Susan Pritzker. The large cast numbers near 20, with all taking center stage at some point. Special praise goes to Sean M. G. Caron, Sarah Sapperstein and Luis Del Valle for deeply emotional scenes. It was a fantastic presentation, one I am recommending to all in the area. By the time the cast came together for the final number, attendees had been taken on a roller-coaster of feelings. When the first few notes of “One” hit, the crowd was already cheering in praise. As the song hit its crescendo, the roar from the crowd almost drowned out the performers. It was an amazing end.

Maddy Shilts, Whitney Wolf, Ben Isabel, Ben Paynic, Elizabeth Bushell, Luis Del Valle, Madelynn Oztas. Photo by MadKap Productions.

There are three more productions in the MadKap Productions 2023–24 play series. Next up is The Tale of the Alergist’s Wife starting Oct. 27. Coming early next year are On Golden Pond and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time.

— John Wroblewski, online writer