No One Knows Who I Am
Original Broadway Cast Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

LUCY:
Look at me,
And tell me who I am.
Why I am
What I am.

Call me a fool,
And it's true I am.

I don't know
Who I am.

It's such a shame,
I'm such a sham.
No one knows
Who I am.

Am I the face of the future?
Am I the face of the past?
Am I the one who must finish last?

Look at me,
And tell me who I am,
Why I am
What I am.

Will I survive?
Who will give a damn,
If no one knows
Who I am

Nobody knows -

Not even you -
No one knows who I am...

Overall Meaning

The song "No One Knows Who I Am" from the musical Jekyll and Hyde is a reflective ballad sung by the character Lucy, a prostitute caught in a love triangle with the titular characters Jekyll and Hyde. Throughout the song, Lucy expresses her feelings of confusion and lack of self-identity. She questions who she is and why she exists, feeling like a "sham" and "fool" with no one truly knowing her. She laments the loss of her dreams and possibilities, feeling trapped in her circumstances and the passing of time.

The lyrics of the song convey a sense of loneliness and desperation, as Lucy longs for someone to see and understand her true self. However, she feels invisible and unimportant in the grand scheme of things. The chorus repeats the titular phrase "no one knows who I am," emphasizing Lucy's isolation and the struggle to find meaning in her life. The final lines express a sense of resignation and hopelessness, with Lucy questioning whether anyone will even care if she survives.

Overall, "No One Knows Who I Am" is a poignant portrayal of a character struggling with their own identity and place in the world. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and understanding for those who may feel invisible or misunderstood.

Line by Line Meaning

Look at me and tell me who I am,
I seek others to define me, to give me a sense of self

Why I am, what I am.
I question my very purpose and existence

Call me a fool and it's true I am,
I am aware of my own shortcomings and flaws

I don't know who I am.
I am lost and confused about my own identity

It's such a shame,
I regret not having a clear sense of self

I'm such a sham.
I feel like a fraud or impostor

No one knows who I am.
I am unknown, unrecognized, and struggling to find my place in the world

Once there were sweet possibilities,
There was a time when I had hope and potential

I could see, just for me.
I had a clear vision of my future and what I wanted to be

Now all my dreams are just memories,
My aspirations have faded into the past

Fated never to be.
It seems that the future I envisioned will never come to pass

Time's not a friend, hurrying by.
Time marches on, leaving me feeling left behind and lost

I wonder who am I?
I question my own identity

Am I the face of the future?
Do I represent the future potential and promise?

Am I the face of the past?
Am I a relic of the past, unable to adapt to the present?

Am I the one who must finish last?
Am I doomed to always come in last place, to fail and to struggle?

Will I survive?
I am uncertain about my own ability to endure and persevere

Who will give a damn,
Who, if anyone, will care about me and my struggles?

If no one knows who I am?
If I am unrecognized and unknown, will I ever find my place in the world?

Nobody knows,
I remain unrecognized and alone

Not even you,
Even my closest companions cannot truly understand or define me

No one knows who I am
I am a mystery, even to myself

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Donald Pippin

7y↑1.1K

Thank god, this footage exist. No cast equals this original cast. They have a style and understanding of it all. I was the musical director for almost 15 years. What wonderful memories I have. Don Pippin

Charles Bower

7y↑65

Donald Pippin I hope you are in good health and enjoying life! I see you are 90 years old, almost 91! I was fortunate to see ACL in 1976 and will never forget it!

Steerpike

6y↑45

Donald Pippin This musical literally changed the direction of my life. Thank you Mr Pippin. I love you.

Julie T

6y↑22

Ahhhhhmen to that!! My Favorite Show of all time. Sooooo Many Tears and JOY all at the same time. Every Time I watch, sing along and listen to is always like the first time. Chills up and down my spine. There is nothing nor will there ever be any thing like this Show. Mahalo from Maui - Love from a New Yawk girl ex child actress :)

James lee Camel jr

6y↑27

Donald Pippin. Wow that must have been amazing for you. I read how the entire play was based on their lives and how it all came about as they went along & had a sorta therapeutic, speaks whats on your heart audition. Personally i think that was ingenious and also believe thats way they stood the test of time, why the performances are so powerful especially The finale

hortense234

6y↑27

I saw the original cast when I was fifteen. Second row (!) Indelible impression. Incredible show. Blew me away.

46 More Replies...

R S

7y↑478

Despite the poor visual quality, the sound is perfect. Watchig this was like glimpsing through a time portal at a historical moment.

Alison Smith

3y↑6

It's perfection...

Amari Dobbins

8y↑248

To the person who posted this; thank you. Being born in 1992 I always wished I could somehow see this, with original cast. You made that possible and for that I will be forever grateful. This is one of my top ten favorite musicals, and I'm so happy to see it. I'm not sure if you'll see this, but thank you.

James Bennett Saxon

5y↑3

Carry the torch!

Nico Melia

good

John Whiting

2y↑27

I saw the original at age 23, I am now 70. This is a treasure that brings me to nostalgia and a broken heart I did not pursue dance.

Julie Parsons

1y↑1

Me too😢

Joseph Bisazza

2y↑32

Here is the story about how this is available for all of us to see online today. It was originally recorded at the Public Theatre to be archived at the New York Public Library near Lincoln Center. If you make an appointment you can see this video at that library even today. Early in the run of the show, a writer or producer from Israel sued the original Broadway production saying that A Chorus Line was based on a play that was written in Israel and they wanted to be compensated for the supposed likeness. The Israeli judge found out that a video existed in New York of the show and wanted it sent to Israel so that he could compare A Chorus Line to this Israeli play. On the night the video was taken from the New York Public Library, the person who was going to fly it to Israel decided to make a video copy of the show. Of course, this was very illegal but thank God he did! In 1975-76, video recording was in its infancy which is one reason why the quality is so poor. Ultimately, the Israeli judge ruled in favor of the Broadway Production saying that the show was not a rip-off from the Israeli play. As a footnote, someone has taken the bootleg version of this recording and greatly improved its quality.

Stacey Lisheron

4y↑94

Most character-defining line of all time is Sheila's "I knew it when I was in the front."

kyle p wagner

3y↑11

“Cassie: “Does anyone have a Darvon or a Valium?” Sheila: “I do...”

Ashleigh P

3y↑10

@kyle p wagner “Look I don’t think you should give him that you don’t know what’s wrong.”

“Oh please, I’ve had three already today.”

1Rdby

2y↑10

Good God, no questions as to why this show was such a tour de force back then,,,, I’m just gobsmacked after watching/listening to this whole performance by this original cast after many years.

Just brilliant.

alyzu

5y↑82

Just a bit of trivia, if you don't already know: Zach is played by Robert LuPone, whose sister is Patti LuPone. Quite a bit of talent in that family! 😍

Lonell Fletcher

3y↑11

Both nominated for their first Tonys in the same year!

Sarah M

4y↑47

OMG! This is making me cry. Saw this in April 1975 at The Public Theater. I was 10 when I first saw it (or 9 it was days before my birthday). It was the third preview performance so it hadn't been reviewed yet. We had heard nothing about it so when we entered the theater and saw the sign posted outside stating "A Chorus Line is 90 minutes long and is performed without an intermission" we almost turned around and left. We had seen so much BAD experimental theater at the Public and elsewhere in NY, we were afraid we'd be held hostage if we didn't have an intermission to leave during. We took the risk and it was one of the best, most memorable nights. The program was mimeographed on hot pink paper. When it opened on B'Way we got the cast album which I had for decades. My parents were probably sick of my sister and me singing all of the songs, especially Everything is Beautiful at the Ballet (we were both ballet students at the Jeffrey School). My little 10-year old specialty was Tits and Ass. Saw it for the second time the week it closed. I will never forget that April night in 1975. Life-changing, really.

Kylie Sullivan

4y↑40

50:50

My favorite part of the whole show. I don't even know why, but when Maggie starts singing about her not being with her Mom, and the piano is all soft... Ugh, it gives me chills every time... 💗

DawnHMK

2y↑1

Yes, chills. Every. Single. Time. (and I've seen it live at least a couple of dozen times... and nobody can count high enough for the video and audio replays)

Quintessence

5y↑196

Isn't technology amazing! Imagine if you had been in the audience of this very production 40 years ago. If someone had told you that in 40 years, you would be sitting at home or in your car or in a waiting room somewhere and you would stumble upon a FREE recording of exactly what you experienced 40 years before (in both video AND audio form). Moreover, you would be able to rewind it, fast forward it, and relive as many times as you wanted. You could even save it on your own computer so that you'd never lose track of it again. You would have thought they were crazy.

neoisis

3y↑13

Back in the 1970s when I was a kid and saw this show in 1975, I had a fantasy that someday I would have a movie theatre in my home and a huge film library including films of Broadway productions like ACL. But I couldn’t have fathomed that I would someday be able to watch this on a smaller device that I could carry around with me and watch in a car or something! My mind would have been blown!

Marcel Audubon

3y↑1

It was 40 years ago, not 400 ferchrissakes

Marcel Audubon

lucky leprechaun oh, sweetie, you need an editor coz ain't nobody reading that manifesto ahahaha 🤣😂🤣

Bebe T

2y↑5

@Marcel Audubon I read every word of it and agree completely. It's actually an excellent commentary on our society which is getting worse by the day. I agree that that there's a significant amount of pain hiding behind the vitriol spewed online. I try to keep that in mind and not spew back (sometimes successful, sometimes not). My best to you ❤️

Bebe T

lucky leprechaun Yes, it's very sad. I wish we could all realize the pain behind the keyboard warriors. ❤️

Nick D

6y↑41

These performers really earned their money. It must have taken a huge amount of stamina to do this for 2 hours every night. This may just be the best musical of all time. I'm not a dancer but if I were I imagine I'd find it even more gripping than I do. I saw the Australian production in 1978 aged 17 and it was so exciting. I'd have loved to have seen this production also. I'm chuffed to have seen this recording. Thanks alot for uploading it.

MJMcD

7y↑446

This is the Original cast filmed @ The Public! Who cares if the quality is crappy??? This is the REAL DEAL!

N

5y↑16

This looks like it was professional filmed, omg

Trucking With A Tablet

3y↑8

Remember this was 1976 equipment too

SourSkittles

3y↑23

Exactly. This recording is a piece of history. Holy shit, the fact it even exists is a miracle.

Bebe T

Exactly!

Frederick Glasser

6y↑21

Well over 40 years, and these songs are PIERCINGLY brilliant. Tears and goosebumps, STILL!

Jerry Alicea

7y↑102

Such a great memory....I did the show in 1979 - 80 and was in the anniversary show Sept 23, 1983. The original company is still the mothers and fathers of the characters, because it was all about them. I LOVE this show.

Matt Hardy

5y↑1

Who were you in the show?

Bingo Vegas

5y↑1

What anniversary show in 1983? The 8th anniversary? Who and why would that be celebrated???

smichelle65

2y↑1

@Bingo Vegas He probably meant to say the record-breaking gala, when ACL became the longest-running show on Broadway, September 29th, 1983.

1 More Replies...

Fool Moon

8y↑177

Oh, sweet memories! I saw this production 5 or 6 times between 75 and 78. Six dollars for a standing room ticket, but if you were lucky you could sneak an orchestra seat for the second act if the house wasn't full. :)

One night a spotlight exploded with a loud 'pop', right over Pricilla Lopez's head in the middle of the "Nothing" song. It happened right at 44:52 as shown in this video. I remember my teen-aged self being SO impressed that she never flinched or missed a beat, casually dancing backwards into a different pool of light while little shards of glass tinkled down around her. What a pro.

It was also wonderful that none of the actors had those ugly body mics hanging on their foreheads.

This was a fantastic experience in the 70's, much more impactful than young people today might realize.

Horacio Sacco

8y↑4

+Fool Moon i habe the same feeling only that it was in Buenos Aires as Teen always a new musical to see,,,Hair,,,Jc,Superstar ...Fiedler on ,,,it was wonderful and i ,,too,, took a better seat place in the 2nd Act,,, Hugs

Miguel De La O

7y↑2

I did that so amny times!! and it was $5 then

Michael Byrne

6y↑5

There's no second act to this show...

C Swank

6y↑3

Michael Byrne - anyone with a hint of class would not attempt to embarrass a lover of musicals by pointing out their mistaken scene identifier.

Sebastian Lugo

6y↑7

Micheal Byrne Funny enough, there is. In many theatres (especially older ones), A Chorus Line had an intermission between Nothing and Music and the Mirror, thus creating two acts. Often nowadays it's done in one big act with no intermission, simply because we expect people to be able to sit for longer.

4 More Replies...

Wicked wonka

7y↑194

My Mom was good friends will Sammy Williams (the original Paul.) They had performed together when they were very young at Kenley Players in Cincinnati. She was always sad that she never got to see him win the Tony, as she was performing the night of the awards and couldn't watch it (VHS wasn't a thing yet.) I was so happy to find the clip of him winning to show her on her deathbed. She lit up like a star. :) Thank you so much for posting this, it truly is Broadway gold.

Beta Omega

4y↑16

I was friends with Sammy during the last years of his life. When he was in end stage of his cancer, to cheer him up I would ask him how it felt when he heard his name called as the next recipient of the Antoinette Perry award, his face always lit up and the voice raises two octaves......Oh, I miss my Sammy RIP my friend

Gary Johns

4y↑114

Crying, watching this in Covid-19 quarantine. No show ever touched me like this one.

Nadine Truong

8y↑34

I've never been more thankful for the fact that YouTube exists. I had loved the 85 film when I was little, but this is such a gem. THANK YOU for uploading this. What a legacy.

Andrea Ceruse

5y↑50

I write from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I was Diana Morales in 1980 with Roy Smith and Albin Konopka Direction , it was an amazing experience. I loved to sing "What I did for love". Thank you for this incredible material!!

Emily K

5y↑14

I was born in ‘98 and still have never seen a live production of this show.. this footage is proof of how magnificent it would be to see it in person.. I can’t imagine such a masterpiece

Sydney Jane

4y↑2

Emily Kouba you are my sons age. I grew up with this production/play/movie. I was born when it finally hit Broadway. I am not a singer, or dancer (even though I took classes haha) this beautiful creation means so much to me. I love to see others of all ages appreciate it.

Marla Moley

4y↑17

This was my 1st Broadway show in 79. I was turning 10 years old. I already loved to sing . I fell in love with acting and dance that day. I have mild cerebral palsy, so my dancing wasn't great but omg I wanted to be diana. 50 years old I'm watching this in tears

Linda Kline

4y↑2

I met Ed Kleban after I’d seen ACL at the Public. After “hello” I asked him if Mr. Karp was based on my PA homeroom teacher, Larry Olvin. He was. This led to our romance, which lasted until Ed died in December 1987. A decade later I worked with Lonny Price and we created the musical, A Class Act, a musical biography of Ed, with Ed’s music and music. A Class Act played at
Manhattan Theatre Club in 2000 and at the Ambassador Theatre on Broadway in 2001. New York revival - cancelled on opening night, March 12, 2020 because of Covid, is now rescheduled for February 2021. (I hope we get it)

Linda Kline

4y↑2

A New York revival of A Class Act is scheduled by J2 Spotlight Theatre for February 2021. I hope we get it!

Marla Moley

@Linda Kline I hope you do to. Beautiful story

Don Capellani

5y↑64

Oh my God this show changed my life. I first saw the original when I was in the 6th grade. I never understood why this show stuck with me all these years. I saw it again this past January and it finally hit me. I understood. I related to Paul! Of course his monologue isn't on the soundtrack and as a 12 year old confused gay boy from the suburbs I never understood what was wrong with me. Through the years I've always gone back to the soundtrack which was my life as a young boy. Here it is 40 years later when seeing it again all the peices fell into place. I cant begin to tell you how this show has effected my life. I feel such a connection to it❤❤❤❤

Quintessence

5y↑4

I saw this in the seventies and was just thinking the same thing--40 years later, I can see it again!

Yama

4y↑1

Don Capellani ...It changed many...🥰👏👏

Stark Heart

4y↑1

Don Capellani I’m just thrilled it was available to you!

Jodie Fox

9y↑82

The ending gave me such chills! There's never been a version that's perfected it quite the same was as the very original cast, this is rare art on (very poor quality but enjoyable) film. Thank you for this video I just spent two hours enjoying the hell out of it

David Ninh

8y↑89

Omg this is such a gem and a treat. Broadway is not what it used to be... this was IT. Originality, passion + performance.

J J

8y↑9

+David Ninh -- A-MEN. The moneybags, whether on Bway or in Hwood, are petrified of taking a chance, so they stick to tired same-old or (gack) remakes. This show -- a huge success critically and commercially -- probably would be nixed if the idea were proposed today.

mzmiller52

Everyone today is fine technically, but no presence. The revival was a dud. Gotta say, though, first act of Evan Hansen was great.

Jez Roth

8y↑21

Thank you SO SO much for uploading this! What a treat! My mother showed me the movie as a child and lamented how great the stage musical was in comparison. Now, 15 years later, I'm seeing this and frankly, it's amazing that this video exists at all. What a tour de force this show was! I can see why it it won so many Tony Awards! The sheer talent alone - but throw in some incredible staging and wow that choreography, (Especially the Montage scene, what a workout! ) A definite star of a production on Broadway! Thank you, Chris Niles!

Vanessa Clark

5y↑24

Wow this is stunning. If this is the "best" quality we'll ever get, then I'll still take it. What a gem, and thank you for posting this!!

rodrigue60

7y↑67

We'd all love better quality, but can you imagine being in the audience for the original run, This show was built on actor interviews and workshops. Ground backing, Thanks

Moe

7y↑3

rodrigue60 ground breaking??

Rafael Storm

9y↑47

I saw the original cast at the Shubert twice, and the second time was the last night that they performed together on that stage before going on tour. Quite an emotional evening!

Elaine Fortune

5y↑1

I was there x

michaelmishaw

I also saw the original cast at the Shubert in 1979.

CASue1

7y↑49

Thanks for sharing this video. This was the first Broadway show I saw. I didn't realize that the actress on Gilmore Girls that played Emily originated the role of Sheila in "A Chorus Line" Wonderful show

K.P. Wagner

7y↑7

And she was FAB-U-LOUS!!!!

Marvelass

6y↑7

She won the Tony for it!

R Diaz

5y↑10

I don’t know who played Paul but, Man! His performance is unmatched 👏🏽 Bravo!

S_aLL16

In my opinion the dude at Texas University did a better job but its close

Vulpecula

2y↑7

this is it...the show that changed broadway forever

i can't believe it's here
in front of my face
on my screen

i feel privileged

Stephan Cohen

2y↑4

This is THE singular version. My dear friend John Carbone saw this (more than once I think) when it was still in workshop form and probably knew many of the dancers. He was a dancer himself. I have his chorus line program, book, and original cast recording. I’m a modern dancer and so was John. This brings tears to my eyes.

lovemesomeslippers

4y↑44

I'm viewing in July 2020, I've just watched Hamilton, and now this. Great theater is amazing. Getting to see a phenomenon, that you'd heard about but never got to see, and that you thought you never would see, is simply incredible. For me, nothing beats the original cast and viewing this was such a privilege. Thank you for posting.

Charlotte Spears

8y↑14

What a gem! Thank you for posting it! I was 15 when this first hit Broadway. We sang a couple of the songs for our show choir a couple of years later. LOVED them! So cool to see an original performance!

Kevin

8y↑13

Thank you, Chris Niles! This is a treasure. Can't remember how many times I saw the Broadway production at the Shubert Theater, but had never seen the full Original Cast. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Yama

4y↑9

You know what’s so cool about this? Somewhere in so many families, grandma or grandpa are pointing themselves out during this whole production...😭👏👏 Yep...there I am...I was so young...good old 75...🤣 hippy time...😆THANK YOU so much for this gift 🎁 🥰

popstopher

6y↑16

How come I've only just discovered this video?! This remains my favourite show of all time, I saw it for the first time as a very nervous and innocent 16 year old at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in December 1976 and then saw it eight times including the final night in March 1979 - then the revivals in Oxford and Sheffield, followed by seeing it on Broadway in 2008 for our 20th wedding anniversary and then four more times at the London Palladium in 2013 including the last night. This shaped how I looked at life and taught me how to be who I am and I can never thank it enough. So brilliant to have this invaluable archive!

Jym Buss

6y↑31

I was lucky enough to perform in a touring company of this show. I played Don. The amazing choreography was like learning a language. It is u I quell special and so well tied together. I will never forget the experience. I failed a semester of college auditioning and learning my role and it was worth it. HaHa

Obie drier

6y↑1

Jym Buss I auditioned for the version they did at my college. Almost got a part...

larrydirtybird

10y↑66

Thanks SO much for posting this. Even with the poor image quality, it really gives those of us who were not lucky enough to be in NYC in 1976 an idea of what the original show/cast was like and the way the audience reacted to it. I always wished I could have been there, and this a great glimpse.

You need to change the title from 'OBC' to Original Broadway Cast so that it'll get more views.

AvalonMorley

8y↑4

+larrydirtybird Re. changing the title, maybe it's better to leave it as is, to (hopefully) avoid the video being taken down due to rights issues. I'm so glad to get to see this!

Eli Chaitman

4y↑5

This has always and always will be my favorite musical of all time.

Michael Cordray

You have EXCELLENT taste.

katwil89

7y↑12

I can't believe this. This is my all time favorite show and seeing the original cast is an unbelievable treat! My theater friends and I (I was in college when this show came out) would play the album and sing all the songs over and over while we were getting ready for whatever play we were doing. I saw the show many times, once on Broadway and the rest touring companies. Such good memories! Thank you so much for sharing - it's a dream come true.

Ann-Marie Meyers

8y↑13

What memories! This musical was our lives back college, majoring in theater in the 1970's. Poor visual quality of recording is forgiven. I can see it all in my mind.

Braden Henson

7y↑12

I'm so glad i found this video. I'm playing Zach right now and nobody does him quite like I am thinking, except this guy, so thank you so much for putting this up it is truly amazing!

Marty Todd

4y↑3

Braden Henson
Patty Lupones brother originated the role

buzzfunk

7y↑11

Pure Magic. Even through this footage. Art like this doesnt exist anymore. Sadly.

Bob Bernstein

6y↑9

Thanks so much for posting this! I was lucky enough to see most of the original cast on Broadway and in the first touring company, and this archival video, even though the quality is technically awful, is incredible. This is just about the only complete record of the original staging. I am still in awe of the brilliance that went into this, from capturing the stories of the dancers in the workshops, translating them so beautifully into lyrics, the staging, with the complex blocking and the brilliant lighting, the innovative use of sound technology, the seemingly spare, sterile and yet versatile set design with the giant rotating triangles alternating black with the giant mirrors. The combination of creative elements and incredible performances was truly theater magic. I am so very, very grateful to have that magic captured and preserved, even in this very primitive recording.

Geo De

3y↑4

Amazing!
Makes me cry in several places...
💘 this musical is a tribute to Michael Bennett! We all miss him! A true Legend of theatre!!!

James Kelton

2y↑5

A treasure. Please keep this posted forever.

emli55

9y↑32

Thank you SOOOOO much for uploading this piece of history.

Peggy Levenstein

8y↑44

Although this is from the screens the people who work backstage rely on for a clean show, it's worth it to be able to remember the original cast. The show was tweaked in the revival, and the film doesn't' do the show their show as originally conceived, choreographed, and nothing since has used the mirrors, which was part of the magic of the original. I applaud whoever was clever enough to do this!!!!

Russell Wright

7y↑5

They sound amazing! Vocally a big wow!

Gloria Leo

48w

This was the very first musical that I ever saw on Broadway in the '70s. It moved and thrilled me so much that it has remained a favorite and has led me to many more wonderful experiences in the theater over the years.

Sean Doherty

8y↑20

My favorite Broadway show! And the original cast to boot! This was the first Broadway show I saw when I was a kid. It's very special to me. Thank you!

Peter Roberts

7y↑15

Wow! Wow! Wow! Thank you so much for posting. This is GOLDEN! I never new this existed. I never thought I'd ever see this. "A Chorus Line Original Broadway Cast (FULL)". Surely not........I'll check it out - AND IT WAS!!!!!! What a monumental piece of work and weren't they all amazingly good. Thanks again.

IngridFitz

2y↑1

I remember this 😢I miss those days. The best musical I ever saw!

Raymond Maurer

8y↑13

This is indeed Broadway GOLD. Thank you for posting. I can't wait to sit down and watch the whole thing!

Raymond Maurer

After 46 years I can finally cross seeing "A Chorus Line" on Broadway off my bucket list.

Frank Saponara

3y↑5

Thank you,thank you and thank you. A great historical document. Chills and tears at the same time. A revolutionary piece of theater. Will never be forgotten.

IngridFitz

2y↑1

Thank you for sharing this. It’s a gift to many of us 🤗

Rafaella Schumann-Dixon

6y↑8

What a fantastic ending!!! I yelled "nooooo" when my fave part was cut, but still.... so precious!!! I just watched the movie from 85 for the first time, cause I love "One" and came across this video! Thank you so much for posting!!!!

James Bennett Saxon

5y↑6

Beautiful. Just amazing... How can we not have these absolute time capsules saved for all to see?

Joy Gmail

6y↑11

Oh My God! Isn't this wonderful! i was fortunate enough to have parents that gave me music as their gift to pass along...i too saw the original cast at the Shubert in L. A. ....and then reproductions there afterwards...it is something to brag about! Where would we be without the talent of these beautiful people? I used to ditch school just so i could learn every note, vocally, by heart! The music would be playing too loud and i would get busted because i couldn't turn the record off fast enough! haha...life is a chorus line........

K K

4y↑2

That was a treat to watch. Hard to watch, but I endured it because it is so special. I saw this same show live when I was just a child. It was so amazing to recognize the characters on stage. Thank you so much for posting. This is seriously such a blessing.

Tiffany21NYC

9y↑19

Thank you so much for putting this up! I loved the music when I was 6 years old, before I even knew what the play was really about. Since then, I've seen it on Broadway about 11 times, but never got to see all the original actors perform.
This was wonderful and brought back some great memories.

Quintessence

5y↑5

Oh my god! This is so incredible to see! Ch ills, tears, WOW! Thank you! My beloved aunt took me to see this at the Schubert in Chicago in the late 70s when I was seven! Then, she got me the soundtrack which I probably listened to a thousand times. I also read the album notes over and over again about this very cast. Still, so much is left out of the soundtrack. THIS IS AMAZING TO SEE! What an incredible blessing. I have a feeling that I am going to be watching this video a thousand times as well--40 years after I saw it! Life is grand.

Mark Thornton

2y↑3

This was the first show I saw live. It was a thrill

Lighthouse17

9y↑9

This footage is amazing !!. Thank you for this. I saw the show in 1978 on a senior trip from Marion, Ohio. It was life changing.

Shandean

6y↑6

Thank you so much for posting this wonderful piece of musical theater history. I love the movie and am so grateful to have the chance to watch the original cast of the show.

J J

8y↑6

Can't thank you enough. First Broadway show I ever saw -- transformative ... Best wishes!

Zach Day

8y↑6

Stumbled across this never having seen it. I ended up watching the entire thing. I'm so enthralled!! So many talented individuals!

Vincent Morissette

5y↑3

Bravo and thank you for releasing this Broadway legend from limbo. Quality be damned, the sound is great and and its wonderful to see the original Broadway weave their magic

David Grant

8y↑7

My wife took tickets and ushered during Chorus Line's run at the Schubert in Chicago in the late 70's. She was one of the principals in local production in 1991. It was the highlight of her "career".

Quintessence

I saw this at the Schubert in Chicago in the late 70s! I was only in first or second grade. Maybe your wife ushered us in. How cool!

Den Shewman

4y↑4

You've done the Lord's work, my friend. Thank you for this.
Grew up with the OBC recording, knew all the words (pretty good for a straight guy!). To see the original cast, knowing they were, as another poster put it, "the mothers and fathers of the characters"...just incredible
Highly recommend the doc EVERY LITTLE STEP, about casting the 2006 revival. A great film, and opens with some of the tapes that Michael Bennett recorded of his friends that eventually became the play. Also a great look at the dedication and life of Broadway actors

Dreamboat Annie

7y↑5

thank you for this, gives me chills. Truly wonderful.

Martin Sorenson

1y↑1

I must be in a very emotional mood. Reading the comments about each person's connection with the show brings tears to my eyes. That a play - a musical play - can impact lives like this is just so moving to me. One of things I wanted to point out in this video is the energy Sammy Williams exhibits during "Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen..." As he leads the group from one end of the stage to the other, he is so loose and free and expressive: so different from what we mostly see of him during the show. We are in his mind, a playground where he is free to dance like no one is watching.

Magda Wszeborowska

We are performing this in our academy this year. I am so glad we are doing this musical in my diplom year 💖

Sallie Mae

4y↑4

Loving and enjoying this very much, I saw a revival touring company back in the late 80’s - early 1990’s here in Chicago at the Chicago Theatre. It just goes to show you to never underestimate a small statue in height and weight performer. Kay Cole’s voice in the
“Ballet” song and when she hits that final note, I can feel it coming all away from Chicago. She has such a powerful voice to be so tiny and I always find myself in 😭 at her part. Then there is Ms .Lee , who is a Broadway veteran and her combinations/form/extensions at the beginning are so damn strong, never missing a beat. And what about the actor who played “AND I AM BLACK” Ritchie how he pulled out in front of all the others dancers and leaped so high, he looked as though he could literally touch the sky. Those little legs just went up there and higher then any of his fellow and much taller dance line mates. Incredible and it was the movie that made me want to see this on stage because the movie didn’t do the musical any justice whatsoever! Thank God for YouTube because unlike myself, as a young girl growing up in the 1970’s, I never saw many dancers that looked like me, short and African American. If they were of color - they usually were always 5.4 and up and I am only 5.2. So anyone now days that questions if they could or not my suggestion is to look on YouTube and you will find many!!!

Dhani Collins

47w

I saw the revival in Chicago as well. 🙂

Love Carol

3y↑2

Morales singing her song “nothing” in “hello 12 13 love” is my FAVORITE 🤩 Priscilla Lopez absolutely originated this iconic role

The Most Talented

2y↑2

I asked a girl to marry me right after we saw this A Chorus Line. 46 years later we have 6 grandchildren. Our wedding song on April 23, 1977 was What We Did For Love.

Kori Frazier Morgan

My all time favorite. What a treat to see it!

m patrick

6y↑13

others try, and fail. there'll never, NEVER be another show like this.

Terry

2y↑2

Wouldn't it be fabulous if some digital wizard could do some magic with this film? But...in lieu of that, I'm so glad this exists just as it is! Thanks for this.

Nina Blackwell

2y↑2

Absolutely! No one else comes close to Donna. Even Charlotte. I wish there was a clearer recording.

Kyle Wit

5y↑1

I love both the original and revival cast. In fact just by the nature of what the play is about and what's involved in it, I love anyone at all associated with it and anyone who also loves it!

Karen Hartrich

49w

Michael Bennett was a genius! Love this fabulous musical.

Ciaran Sammon

8y↑5

The revival will always be my love as I came of age with it but this is just fabulous.

Jonathan F

5y↑7

I find myself coming back to this video often. It’s my time machine to important memories. Thank you for posting.

JOSE TORRES

7y↑21

WOW!!
magnificent...
amazing...
touching...
funny...
exquisite...

Kyle Wit

All of the above! :)

Andrewgtv05

3y↑2

I am hoping more footage from Broadway musicals with the original cast exists

Metika Begleiter

5y↑1

Such an iconic cast, it’s amazing they have this footage

frank9032003

8y↑12

Thank you for this! Amazing. This is like seeing a dream!

Marty Todd

4y↑1

Listening to my cd today in my car✨Brought me to tears yet again ✨Amazing to have found this history just now ✨

BlackPower Diva

2y↑2

It IS amazing that this footage exists & that the evil ewe tube hasn’t taken it down.
That said, the cut off at the end is like approaching your peak release to only have it snatched away!!! 😢😰😱
What a travesty.
I was nearly there!!!

Kristin P.

2y↑1

I’ve seen the movie version with Michael Douglas many times but never seen it on stage. What a treat this is to stumble across!

Michael Jeremy Leavitt

Fantastic! Thank you for sharing ❤️

Marjorie Dieudonne

A piece of New York history. I was a year old when this show opened. I wish I was old enough to see but this footage made me proud to be a New Yorker

Donald Diethart

I've loved this show since my son was Zach in a high school production in the 90's. Amazing production. I saw every performance. Such a great cast it was hard to believe it wasn't professional.

MN Bluestater

8y↑5

Just saw the tour company in Minneapolis. Thank you for posting this. Overhead microphones on the stage and all the technology back then !

Joe Lewis

9y↑17

i saw the first touring company in Toronto, on the night the announcement of the Pulitzer prize was made in 1976, a few of the original cast where in that company.. I saw it again in 1980 at the Shubert while it was still the original production.. I saw another version/ tour, not this recent one but the one before that 2008 maybe (it was very very soulless) Seeing this has been a gift. thank you for letting the original cast continue to be seen.

Rob Grier

9y↑2

I also saw it at the Shubert, in 1982. I don't know what the movie or later productions did wrong; but you are right they don't have the same soul.

Toongeek45

Rob Grier The first time I saw this show was a High School production and I honestly think that one beats this one.

M Tl

Rob Grier They didn't do anything 'wrong' They just aren't Broadway. Exactly that. Not quality/ skill level or live performance or audience energy. Exactly what Cassie has that Baby Ballerina doesn't have.

Toongeek45

M Tl So what you're saying is they did nothing different from Broadway, but it's not in the classic time period so it's not the same. That makes no sense to me.

M Tl

***** I object to 'wrong'. It is not a moral qualifier. One might use a quality or skill level qualifier e.g. Not up to 'B'way' skill level or lacking 'Star quality' (Neither is a time or space qualifier.)
Sometimes a cast member uses a touring company to gain experience, to bring up their skill level, so they are more prepared for Broadway. It is a ligit use of the tour, from their point of view.

BTW sometimes the audience's reception, or the weather can change a perception of the performance. The cast can do everything possible, but the audience doesn't respond and they go home disappointed.

I hope that helps.

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Danielle Golden

4y↑1

What I love about this show is that it’s made up by the original casts actual experiences. I’m friends with a woman who’s brother was in the original cast Michael Stuart - Greg) and “I can do that” was actually about her and her brother and they used that story he told in the musical just with a different actor in the role

Ruthie BG & Family

7y↑17

ACL premiered on Bway on my first birthday so I've always felt a special affinity to it - but I've purposely never seen it in any form until now. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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