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Lopez Calls the Shots in A Chorus Line Beginning April 15
By Adam Hetrick
15 Apr 2008
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Mario Lopez
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| photo by Aubrey Reuben | Television star Mario Lopez makes his Broadway debut April 15 as Zach in the revival of A Chorus Line at the Schoenfeld Theatre.
Well known for his role on "Saved By the Bell" as well as appearances on "Dancing with the Stars," "America's Best Dance Crew" and as the current host of "Extra TV," Lopez joins the Broadway company in the role of A Chorus Line's rarely-seen director.
Lopez succeeds Michael Berresse, who originated the role of Zach in the Broadway revival of the popular backstage musical. Theatre veteran Robert LuPone created the role in A Chorus Line's original Public Theater and Broadway-premiere productions.
Fans who hope to witness Lopez live should note that the actor will be on hiatus from A Chorus Line May 11-June 3. Lopez's contract with the Broadway company concludes Sept. 7.
The Broadway cast currently features Nick Adams (Larry), Tommy Berklund (Greg), Natalie Cortez (Diana), Charlotte d'Amboise (Cassie), Dena Digiacinto (Bebe), Jessica Lee Goldyn (Val), Deidre Goodwin (Sheila), Bryan Knowlton (Paul), James T. Lane (Richie), Melissa Lone (Maggie), J. Elaine Marcos (Connie), Paul McGill (Mark), Heather Parcells (Judy), Jason Patrick Sands (Don), Jeffrey Schecter (Mike), Will Taylor (Bobby), Katherine Tokarz (Kristine) and Kevin Worley (Al).
Completing the cast are Todd Anderson, Michelle Aravena, Mike Cannon, E. Clayton Cornelious, Joey Dudding, Jenifer Foote, Lyndy Franklin, Nadine Isenegger, Jessica Lea Patty, Grant Turner and Deone Zanotto.
Michael Bennett's 1975 production was restaged by Bob Avian and Baayork Lee, opening at the Schoenfeld Oct. 5, 2006, following a six-week run at San Francisco's Curran Theatre.
Produced by John Breglio, who also serves as the legal representation for the estate of the late Michael Bennett, A Chorus Line has a book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by the late Edward Kleban.
The design team for the 2006 restaging reunited much of the original creative team, including Robin Wagner (sets), Theoni V. Aldredge (costumes), Natasha Katz and Tharon Musser (lighting) and Acme Sound Partners (sound). Musical direction and supervision is by Patrick Vaccariello, with updated orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick, Billy Byers and Hershey Kay and vocal arrangements are by Don Pippin.
A national tour will launch at The Denver Center for the Performing Arts - Buell Theatre May 6. Following its Denver premiere, the tour will play a seven-week engagement at The Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, May 21-July 6. Scheduling is currently underway for Philadelphia; Portland, Oregon; Costa Mesa; Seattle; Toronto; and Washington, D.C. during the 2008-2009 season.
The original production of A Chorus Line opened at the Public Theater's Newman Theater on May 21, 1975, and transferred to Broadway's Shubert Theatre on July 25. The musical won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, along with nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. It ran for nearly 15 years, closing on April 28, 1990, after 6,137 performances.
For tickets visit www.telecharge.com or call (212) 239-6200. For more information visit www.achorusline.com. The Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre is located in Manhattan at 236 West 45th Street.
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Mario Lopez rehearses for his Broadway debut in A Chorus Line.
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| photo by Aubrey Reuben |
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