Grueling practice for 'A Chorus Line'

Last week, I interviewed Mitzi Hamilton, the director for “A Chorus Line,” opening this week at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora.

We talked at length about her career, her move to the area and about the grueling schedule the actors and dancers go through in preparation for opening night.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t go into detail about the production schedule in Thursday’s cover story, but I can delve into it a little here.

Last Monday, the first day at the theater, rehearsal started at 9:45 a.m. The rest of the week, the actors and crew all worked a standard eight-hour day. On Sunday, they worked 10 hours out of 12, with a two hour break for dinner. They’re basically at the theater from noon until midnight.

Today is the only light day – five hours – until the first live audience on Wednesday. Tuesday is a 10 hour day. After all the work that the actors and crew put in, you’d think they’d be exhausted before opening night.

“At that point, the actors need to have an audience,” Hamilton said.

The actress playing Val, the same character Hamilton helped inspire and later played on Broadway, said the practices have been grueling.

“We’ve been dancing our faces off,” said Nicole Hren in an interview during a short break on Wednesday. “It’s an incredibly strong company. Each character is becoming alive before our eyes. It’s just a pleasure to be here.”

Every person I talked to for the story was incredibly enthusiastic. It’s a testament to their work ethic that they can still come off gleaming about their craft when they are in the middle of a difficult stretch of rehearsals. I’m not sure I’d be able to pull off what the cast and crew do on a daily basis leading up to a show.

I’ll be at the press opening of the show this Friday night. Talking with Hamilton, Hren and the Paramount’s artistic director Jim Corti has made me incredibly excited about seeing the show. I can’t imagine myself being disappointed with the show based on what I know now. Check back next week for my thoughts on the musical, including reaction from the audience.