Rider Presents “A Chorus Line” Nov. 20 through 24

Rider University Musical Theatre presents the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical A Chorus Line, with original direction and choreography restaged by Luis Villabon and musical direction by Nathan Hurwitz, Wednesday, November 20 through Sunday, November 24 in the Bart Luedeke Center Theater on the campus of Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J.  The preview performance is on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m., and performances are Thursday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov., 22 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday Nov. 23, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 24, at 2 p.m.

Centered on 17 Broadway dancers auditioning for a spot on the infamous chorus line, A Chorus Line features some of contemporary musical theatre’s more memorable and popular songs, including What I Did for Love; Dance Ten, Looks Three and One Singular Sensation. The production features music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban and a book by James Kirkwood, Jr. and Nicholas Dante. These performances will feature the choreography from the original Broadway production.

Luis Villabon has also enjoyed a career as a choreographer and assistant director/choreographer. He has choreographed productions of Annie, Evita, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Little Shop of Horrors, Closer Than Ever, Into the Woods, A Chorus Line, Seussical the Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Beauty and the Beast, Oklahoma, Once on this Island and Once Upon a Mattress.  He was Baayork Lee’s assistant choreographer for the European Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar and A New Brain.  He was also Paula Abdul’s assistant choreographer for the New York premiere of Reefer Madness, which starred Michelle Pawk, Kristen Bell and Christian Campbell, and Master of Disguise, a feature film starring Dana Carvey. As a performer, he played Paul in A Chorus Line for director Baayork Lee, the original Broadway cast member and choreographer of the 2005 Broadway revival. He has also appeared in musicals West Side Story, Peter Pan,  Jesus Christ Superstar, Follies, Seussical the Musical, Crazy for You, Evita and Twist; as well as plays including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Lion in Winter, On Golden Pond and Cooper Savage.

Nathan Hurwitz has been a director and musical director for more than 30 years. As a musical director and conductor, his career spans from Broadway to regional theatres to the concert halls of the United States and Europe. His Broadway credits include Blood Brothers, Dream and Phantom of the Opera. He has performed with the international tours of Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story and The Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber, while his United States tours include Blood Brothers, Funny Girl, The Sound of Music, Company, The Who's ‘Tommy, Annie, Leader of the Pack and the 25th Anniversary all-star Nunsense tour. Dr. Hurwitz has directed regionally, and at colleges and universities across the country, including most recently Lucky Stiff and The World Goes Round for Syracuse University. A member of Actor’s Equity as well as the American Federation of Musicians, Mr. Hurwitz, has taught acting and coached voice for many years in private practice as well as at New York University, HB Studios, Point Park College, the University of Pittsburgh, Northwestern State University of Louisiana and Syracuse University.

Rider University Musical Theatre productions features students enrolled in the University’s highly regarded Musical Theatre program, as well as other talented students selected by audition. Graduates of the program are appearing on Broadway, in national touring productions and in major regional theaters. Its productions offer the community the opportunity to see aspiring actors in the early stages of their careers.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. They can be purchased at the door, through the box office at 609-896-7775 or online at www.rider.edu/arts. General admission preview tickets are $9 and are only available at the door. Tickets for Rider University students with valid ID are $5.