A CHORUS LINE

Music by Marvin Hamlisch. Lyrics by Edward Kleban. Book by James Kirkwood Jr. and Nicholas Dante.


Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam CT

Opened: September 5th, 2025

Director: Rob Ruggiero
Choreographer: Parker Esse
Additional Choreography: Baayork Lee
Music Direction: Adam Souza
Scenic Design: Ann Beyersdorfer
Costume Design: Joseph Shrope
Original Finale Costume Design: Theoni V. Aldredge
Lighting Design: John Lasiter
Sound Design: Jay Hilton
Production Stage Manager: Chris Zaccardi


SIZZLE REEL


PRODUCTION PHOTOS

Photos by Diane Sobolewski


COSTUME RENDERINGS


reviews

This “A Chorus Line” is staged firmly in the 1970s and does not try to shift the show to the present day or set it in some timeless generic backstage universe. Joseph Shrope’s costume design is brilliant in this respect. The costumes aren’t ostentatious about being from the ‘70s, though they are true to the era. They look comfortable and well-worn and they fit the personalities of the performers who dance in them.

Shrope is also responsible for jazzing up the finale for “A Chorus Line,” which was snazzy and spectacular in its time but has become trite and predictable over the years. At the Goodspeed, Shrope’s loose and groovy yet still sparkly outfits, plus Ruggiero’s decision to turn the closing number into a lengthy, character-driven curtain call, adds depth and humanity to the final minutes of the show.
— Chris Arnott, The Hartford Courant
Costume design by Joseph Shrope ticks all the boxes. Fresh designs offer beautiful nods to the original Broadway costumes.
— Matt Austin, Newtown Bee
Joseph Shrope’s wardrobe choices, especially for the women, couldn’t be more suitable. The dancers wear leotards and tights indicative of the era.
— Fred Sokol, Talkin’ Broadway
Joseph Shrope’s ideal costume design is reminiscent of the original, with the gold costumes originally designed by Theoni Aldredge provided for the show stopping finale.
— Zander Opper, CT Critics Circle, Blog
Costumes by designer Joseph Shrope are well-suited to the time and setting of the show, with a nice pallet of colors across the board.
— Kiersten Bjork, CT Critics Circle, White Birch Blog
Costume design by Joseph Shrope was wonderful especially the sparkling, golden finale. The 1970’s wardrobe of the dancers is also spot on as I am 58-years-old and recognized some of the fine fashions from back in the day.
— Peter Marteka, East Haddam News
Costuming (Joseph Shrope) was another strength of the production: vintage enough to evoke the 1975 original, but never veering into parody or feeling dated.
— Tina Manus, CT Critics Circle Mentor Program, “Rooted in Drama”