Review: Chorus Line 2013

From glittery show to urban street dance


“Those of you who have come here to see the musical A Chorus Line have made a mistake,” declares choreographer Sonya Lindfors in front of the premiere audience.

Chorus Line 2013 is a journey through the history of the dancers and the company, a fun mix of dance, show and funny anecdotes. The choreographer has been inspired by the musical and the different roles the dancers take on in their profession.

The group consists of both current and former dancers at Stadsteaterns danskompani – some of them have had a longer break from dancing. As part of the City Theatre’s 40th anniversary, Sonya Lindfors has created the work as a tribute to the dancers who have had a long career in the house.

The moods vary from colorful show dance, minimalist contemporary dance, cheeky street dance and glamorous voguing. It’s a show with a capital S – both on stage and, surprisingly, also during the intermission.

The dancers follow notes about the choreography verbatim and parody themselves and the dancer before an audition.

Some of it feels internal and the recognition factor is high among the premiere audience, who erupt in hysterical laughter attacks. And of course it’s a fantastic show, but a large part of the audience consists of the cream of the dance scene, that’s not to say that the uninitiated understand it as well.

Here you can also glimpse scenes from the movie Chorus Line and “Michael Douglas”, musical divas, choir numbers, artists who yearn to be in the spotlight and their everyday selves.

It is clear that the dancers themselves also enjoy the performance, which challenges them on many different levels. Particularly interesting are the contrasts between contemporary dance and when the dancers move in more unknown territory in the form of urban street dance and vogue.

Sonya Lindfors, known as the artistic director of the urban art festival Urban Apa, has succeeded well in bringing out the versatility of the charismatic dancers. It’s great that the company’s new dance director, Jyrki Karttunen , has let a young woman with experience of urban culture occupy the “fine room” and mix the genres.