I think it would be a good show for highschools with some really good dancers, The local highschools in my area and the one that I go to can't do it because they don't have that much talent, ! I think if most of the audience would be adults and highschoolers it would be alright, but if younger children are part of the audience, like younger siblings as kids from the middle or elementary schools, it might not work just because it wouldn't suit the audience. It alse should be what the actors feel comfortable with, Diana and Val and the others have a lot of crude language, the s--ts and the "I looked like an f--n nurse" in the monologue before T&A. I personally wouldn't have a problem, but I have some friends who are very religious and wouldn't feel comfortable cursing. Also there's a matter of some of the characters being gay, which some highschool guys wouldn't feel comfortable playing. So I think it really depends on the school. You could also say "rated PG- 13 for language so the audience would know that it wasn't really a show to take young children to.

I have mixed feelings. If the school where it is wanted to be done has previously done shows which were attended by little kids, it would probably be nice if they lyrics were toned down or the show was not done at all. But if it is uncommon for little kids to come to see the show, then go for it.

Sh*t in a high school play is nothing to get freaked out over, in my opinion. And references to boobs, etc aren't either. Our middle school has done shows that have words like sh*t and damn in them and it's not the end of the world. Also, high schools do Pippin all of the time, and there's a whole dance number about sex. When we did it, they just put a little warning on the posters. High schoolers can handle it- they see worse things on TV.

I personally feel that this show is NOT appropriate for high schools. And I don't say that b/c I think that the kids are too young for the show (although, it really is an adult show!)...I did this show at a youth theatre, and we had kids as young as 14 in the show up to 19. Our Val was only 15!! BUT I don't think that SCHOOLS should be backing a show like this. Yeah, kids see and hear way worse, but a high school is not the forum in which this show should be done. Let a community teen theatre do the show! That's fine. But is there any reason why the highschool has to go there? There are plenty other fantastic shows that are appropriate for schools. I know that if I was a parent and my kid was doing ACL at his/her school I wouldn't be so thrilled.

And as for changing the lyrics and/or dialogue! No way! That is the way it was written! If you're going to do the show, then do the show!

I'm going to have to strongly disagree. I wouldn't want to see this show if the majority of anything taboo/not-for-children is taken out. It's more than taking out a few words. You'd have to eliminate ----, about thirty 'shits', and the words 'tits' and 'ass' about fifteen times or so (I don't feel like counting). And if your audience isn't mature enough to handle a chorus of "Shit, Richie!"s, then they can't possibly be mature enough to handle half a song about gonorrhea or a two-page monologue about being gay and working as a tranny dancer. It's disgracing the show taking anything out of it that adds to the tone, regardless of how offensivly it can be taken, or how not-PG it is.

I Think High Schools should be able to do A Chorus Line, unedited. This is because it is all part of learning about different types of shows and things you come across in scripts. If needed, maybe the school could advertise that bad language etc is used in the performance.

No one has brought this up, but changing any part of the show (even a word here or a line there) is against the rules--not to mention the law--and could result in the show closing down.

I know that theaters and high schools change things every day, but I also know of a few unfortunate cases where MTI employees or others were present and forced them to change it back or close down.

I know there are those who would argue, "Why shouldn't we just change that one curse word to that one milder one so we can do this wonderful show?"
Respecting the author's intent IS a big deal and gets stomped on all too often (hence the laws about not changing anything).

Besides, as far as "conservative parents" or whoever complaining, they'd probably be more horrified by Paul's confessional monologue than the mention of "tits and ass" (which can be heard on shows like Will & Grace or Friends).
15-year-olds know ALL the curses. The ones involved in theater are often the least likely to throw them around just for fun. (Once they're given permission to swear in acting class, it can lose its thrill for them.)

If you're trying to protect your student population or parent population or community or what-have-you, then put a disclaimer on the poster ("not suitable for children under 13") or DON'T DO THE SHOW. Simple.

Otherwise we'll have "Les Miz: The Happy Edition" where no one dies because it's too traumatizing for the students, or "Cabaret" (which high schools do often in quite racy ways) being changed so that the Nazis are just "really grumpy guys" and the saucy dance numbers are replaced by good ol' wholesome square dancing.

Hello,

I am a director in a private school and we have been working on A Chorus Line for our Fall production. I have made some appropriate changes to Dance Ten and all of the F-bombs have been cut. I have left most of the S**** but the issue is in the Montage. I am wondering if anyone has any solutions for Greg's section in Montage #4. Most of the other questionable parts are buried and cannot be heard. But this is really out there.

ANY SUGGESTIONS???? It would be really helpful...

I agree with you. I saw it when I was about 20. The music was catchy but the characters told their stories, well, I found myself wishing I were elsewhere (boring!!!!). I saw it again almost 20 years later after being kicked around by life and thinking about some things from my childhood, and found myself relating to the characters, tears were rolling down my face because I felt for them and could relate to what some of them had been through.

Tammy

I'm curious - what do you do about the whole "shit Richie" part? He says it and the entire chorus is joining in.

Tammy

When my (private, catholic) high school did ACL, they went with "This and That" for Val.

I've seen girls sing those lyrics at competitions too, they seem to get away with it.

For a high school to do A Chorus Line, they would have to have A LOT of talented dancers. Most schools lack a sufficient number of dancers which leads to 'specialty dancers' to be selected. Pretty much the whole cast needs to be able to dance pretty well which could be a problem.

As for the content being appropriate, it really depends. It depends on how it's delivered and who's cast. Other musicals that are popular high school choices have sexual references. eg. Fame.