Exclusive! Never-Before-Seen Photos Behind the Line of Original A Chorus Line | Playbill

News Exclusive! Never-Before-Seen Photos Behind the Line of Original A Chorus Line A Chorus Line had its world premiere at the Public Theater April 16, 1975. The show was unusual in many ways, but mainly because the libretto by Nicholas Dante and James Kirkwood drew upon the life stories of many of the original cast members to paint a picture of the lives of Broadway dancers.

Here are some classic photos of the original cast rehearsing and performing the show at the Public Theater Off-Broadway and at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway, along with several photos from private collections that have never before been published. Special thanks to original cast member Chuck Cissel and to Barbara Walsh, sister of another original cast member, the late Thommie Walsh, for sharing these photos with Playbill.com.

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Photo courtesy Barbara Walsh.

Members of the original cast at the recording session for the original cast album.

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Photo courtesy Barbara Walsh.

In the rehearsal hall where the show was hammered into shape.

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Photo courtesy Barbara Walsh.

Another view of the rehearsal hall where the show was hammered into shape.

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Photo courtesy Chuck Cissel

Chuck Cissel in his dressing room at the Shubert Theatre, 1975.

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Photo courtesy Barbara Walsh.

At a reunion of the original cast.

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Photo courtesy Barbara Walsh.

Kelly Bishop (center) in the scene where she first speaks to the director.

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Photo by Martha Swope.

The conclusion of "I Hope It Get It," asking, "Am I my resume?"

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Photo courtesy Barbara Walsh.

Hundreds of ACL alumni applaud director-choreographer Michael Bennett at the special performance in 1983 when the show became the longest-running in Broadway history.

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Photo courtesy Barbara Walsh.

Rehearsing "One."

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Photo courtesy Barbara Walsh.

Members of the original cast attend the 2001 Paper Mill Playhouse production.

Click through to see more!

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Photo courtesy Barbara Walsh.

As the original "Bobbie," Thommie Walsh explains how he would break into people's houses, not to steal anything, but just to rearrange the furniture.

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Photo courtesy Barbara Walsh.

One of the "groups of four" rehearsing the ballet combination in the opening scene.

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Photo courtesy Chuck Cissel.

In costume for "One," male members of the original cast who got eliminated in the opening scene (and then functioned as swings and understudies). From left to right: John Mineo, Scott Allen, Michael Serrechia, Chuck Cissel and Brandt Edwards.

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Photo courtesy Barbara Walsh.

Resume photo for original cast member Thommie Walsh.

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Photo courtesy Barbara Walsh.

Ron Kulman and Thommie Walsh rehearse the bows combination.

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Photo by Martha Swope.

Classic photo of Michael Bennett rehearsing the original cast at the Public Theater.

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Photo courtesy Barbara Walsh.

Sir Laurence Olivier (center) toes the line during a private visit with the original cast.

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Photo courtesy Barbara Walsh.

Donna McKechnie and Thommie Walsh.

*See even more pics here!

Rare Photos From the Original Broadway Cast of A Chorus Line


 
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