With opening night just a few days away, all Cobb residents should be buying their tickets now for the next major production taking place at the Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts (CCCEPA) at Pebblebrook. Dozens of student actors have been working and training extremely hard for the last three months and are ready to unveil a fun night of drama, song, and dance in an adapted version of the Broadway hit, A Chorus Line.
A Chorus Line is a stunning concept musical capturing the spirit and tension of a Broadway chorus audition. Exploring the inner lives and bittersweet ambitions of professional Broadway performers, the show features one powerful song after another. It is a brilliantly complex fusion of music, dance, and compellingly authentic drama.
Originally starring Donna McKechnie, Sammy Williams, Robert LuPone, and Carole Bishop, A Chorus Line ran for 6137 performances between July 1975 and April 1990. During that time, it was the longest-running show in Broadway history. A Chorus Line was revived in 2006 and ran for another 759 Broadway performances. It is revered by all as a classic production.
The show has been considered for the CCCEPA performance schedule in years past, but now has finally become a reality. The high level of acting, dancing, and singing—not to mention choreography—required for a show like A Chorus Line is impressive for a high school program. However, CCCEPA is not your ordinary high-school drama program. It is an intensive and cutting-edge magnet program that expects nothing less than professional-level performances.
"We are an advanced training program that focuses on daily training in the areas of dance, drama, musical theatre, technical theatre, and vocal music," said CCCEPA Director Robert Connor. "What is unique about our program is that we operate on a major/minor system. CCCEPA students have two or more performing arts classes a day. We are an extended day program where students have one additional period a day and rehearsal and performance requirements. The training is intense and structured around professional expectations."
Director Connor is a more-than 40-year veteran of the entertainment industry and has worked with some of the best-performing arts programs in the country. He has performed in and directed many stage and television productions, as well as recording and arranging vocals for a variety of music artists, including Michael Buble and Gladys Knight. His high expectations of his program and students are paying dividends, as any spectator leaving a CCCEPA performance can readily attest.
In what he calls "Practice Makes Permanent," Director Connor knows what it takes to stand out.
"We expect our students to be the most prepared," he said. "They must engage in the repetitious practice of their performance so that the movement, songs, and lines get into their system. Once they rehearse at performance level on a consistent basis, their performance is so much easier, and they can begin to enjoy themselves."
"We are so excited to present this work to our community," Director Connor concluded with a smile. "You will be amazed to see the professional level of talent that trains here every day at the CCCEPA!"
A Chorus Line opens on Thursday, November 9, and runs through Sunday, November 12. Don't miss your opportunity to see this Broadway classic performed by focused and highly talented students from right here in our own District. You won't be disappointed.
Please note: Photos in this article are from practice and do not feature the actual costumes and props that will enhance the live performances. This adaptation of A Chorus Line has been modified and deemed appropriate for high school performances; however, some subject matter may not be suitable for younger audiences.
ABOUT THE CCCEPA:
The Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts (CCCEPA) is a coeducational public magnet school housed on the campus of Pebblebrook High School in Mableton, Georgia, just west of Atlanta. CCCEPA offers unparalleled training in Dance, Drama, Musical Theatre, Vocal Music, and Technical Theatre, complemented by a robust and innovative academic curriculum.
CCCEPA offers a broad cross-section of types of shows to provide more opportunities for different types of performers and to demonstrate the myriad of talents and skills our students have.
