Download Mitzi Hamilton to direct and choreograph

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Surflight Theatre Press Director Charlie Siedenburg 551-655-0968
Mitzi Hamilton to direct and choreograph Surflight’s A Chorus Line;
August 27– September 14
(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) Broadway veteran Mitzi Hamilton, one of the dancers in Michael Bennett’s
original developmental workshop that provided the inspiration for the character of Val in A Chorus
Line, will direct and choreograph the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical at Surflight Theatre,
August 27-September 14.
Conceived and originally directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett, A Chorus Line has a book
James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban. The
original New York production was co-choreographed by Bob Avian.
A Chorus Line is described as “the musical for everyone who has ever put it all on the line in pursuit of
their dreams.” From the original program notes: “The characters portrayed in A Chorus Line are, for the
most part, based upon the lives of Broadway dancers. This show is dedicated to anyone who has every
danced in a chorus or marched in step...anywhere.”
Following an Off-Broadway run at the Public Theater, A Chorus Line opened on Broadway July 25, 1975 at
the Shubert Theatre, where it played an acclaimed record-breaking 6,137 performance run. The original
Broadway cast included Donna McKechnie, Kelly Bishop, Priscilla Lopez, Thommie Walsh, Baayork Lee,
Wayne Cilento, Sammy Williams, and Robert LuPone. Among the ten 1976 Tony Awards the show won,
McKechnie, Bishop and Williams took home Tony acting honors.
Surflight Theatre’s cast features Grant Thomas Zabielski as Zach, Jena VanElslander as Cassie,
Gabriella Sorrentino as Diana, Alissa LaVergne as Sheila, Robb Gibbs as Greg, Kevin Curtis as
Richie, Brian Martin as Bobby, Brittany Santos as Judy, Alexander Cruz as Paul, Kara Krichman as Val,
Patrick Graver as Mark, Amelia Millar as Maggie, Patrick Roberts as Larry, Michael Pilato as Al, Joseph
Consiglio as Mike, Christina Laschuk as Kristine, Amanda Lynn Fannon as Bebe, Nicole Calabrese as
Lois, Tim Chastain as Roy, Shannon Garahan as Tricia, and Nicole Vernarec as Nikki.
The creative team includes Jessica Lee Goldyn as Assistant Choreographer. Nicholas Kaminski as Music
Director/Conductor, with scenic design by Gateway Playhouse, lights by Benjamin Weill, costumes by
Scaramouche and Costume World with costume coordination by Stacey Jeungling, and sound by Mark
Keeler. Liz Ann Howell is production stage manager.
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Mitzi Hamilton (Director/Choreographer) is best known for her association with Michael Bennett’s
legendary A Chorus Line. She provided the inspiration for the character of Val and performed the role
in the original London company and then on Broadway. Subsequently, she went on to direct and
choreograph over 35 productions of A Chorus Line, along with many other musicals. She won Chicago’s
Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Choreography for Sweet Charity at the Drury Lane Theatre in 2008.
Ms. Hamilton’s performance career includes eight classic Broadway shows, working with Bob Fosse, Hal
Prince, Ron Field, and Michael Bennett.
Surflight Theatre is located at 201 Engleside Avenue in historic Beach Haven, NJ. A Chorus Line performs
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 8pm, with Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday matinees at 2pm.
Tickets are $45 and may be purchased by calling 609-492-9477, at the Surflight Theatre Box Office, or
online at www.www.surflight.org. Group rates available.
Surflight Theatre’s production of A Chorus Line is sponsored in part by Eastern Lift Truck
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