Performer fits several roles in 'Chorus Line'

Premiering in 1975, “A Chorus Line” won nine Tony awards, including Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for drama. The show’s most recent revival will run at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through April 8; 8 p.m. April 9; 2 and 8 p.m. April 10; and 1 and 6:30 p.m. April 11 in Wharton Center’s Cobb Great Hall. The State News sat down with Lauryn Ciardullo, a swing performer in the musical and understudy for four of the main characters: Bebe, Connie, Judy and Maggie.

The State News What is the story of “A Chorus Line”?
Lauryn Ciardullo It’s many different characters that are auditioning for a play to be in the chorus, and the director is trying something different to see what their personalities are. So he interviews them and the first part of the show you learn about their story and how they got into performing, which is something that doesn’t usually happen at an audition. It’s interesting to see that side of the story.

SN What’s your job as a swing?
LC I have to know seven different parts in the show, so I know four of the principal characters. (The swings) have a big responsibility in that we have to be ready to go on at a moment’s notice, but we don’t go on every night. So if someone is sick, we go on.

SN Is it difficult to learn so many different roles?
LC It’s a challenge to make sure you know every part perfectly because we never really do it with the other castmates until we go on for the performance. It’s difficult, but you can’t get nervous and let it bother you. You just have to jump in the show and trust that you know the role.

SN What’s your favorite role to play?
LC The one I’ve gone on the most for is Maggie, so I’d say that is my favorite, and it is the most challenging because she has a lot of singing solos. But the most fun was doing the role of Connie, because the role is supposed to be a short Asian-American, and I’m 5’4” and Caucasian, so they have extra lines written up for the understudies to make it a nonethnic character. We’ve decided (to make) it a Southern character. It’s fun for the cast too because they’re not used to hearing those lines, so it’s a new personality.

SN What do you like about working on the cast of “A Chorus Line”?
LC My role in the show is a swing, so it’s a challenge for me as a performer, but I love that I’m able to know so many parts and know the show so well all-around and that it never gets boring. Every time I go on to perform it’s something new. I have performed the show three other times, but as one character, so I think it’s an interesting experience for me personally, to do it this way.

SN What is the daily routine of a cast member of “A Chorus Line” like?
LC Since our show usually ends the night (before) around 10, 10:15, most of the cast will sleep late. I’ll get up in the morning and go to the gym, some of us like to practice on other materials for an upcoming audition. Most of the cast gets to the theater two hours before the show to do a full stretch and warm-up and get in the costumes and do makeup and hair. During the day is our relaxation time. Someone who works a 9-to-5 job, that’s when they have to have the most energy, but we have to make sure we’re fully awake and warmed up and ready to go at 8 for that show, which is when most people are relaxing and winding down.

SN What is it like living in a new city every week as part of a traveling cast?
LC You make it so that you’re comfortable in every city that you go into, and you make it feel like home. There’s certain things you make sure you travel with. I make sure I have my special coffeepot. You have to make sure you feel comfortable, as if you’re at home. It just makes the whole process easier. And it’s an amazing way to see the states, to see areas and cities that you probably wouldn’t travel to, just because.

SN This show is about a group of performers working to get a role in a show. Is their story something that you as an actor relate to?
LC It’s so close to home for any performer. The main character, Cassie, tells the story of how she struggled to be a performer and be a dancer, and it’s what we all go through. So for our cast to be able to tell our story to the audience, it means so much to us. To explain to the everyday person what we go through to do what we do. You are somewhat in a vulnerable state doing this show, because you really are just being yourself and as much of it is a character, it’s still what we go through every day to get that next job as performers. Some of the parts are emotionally draining, because it does touch on so many personal aspects of a performer’s life. But I definitely enjoy it. It’s something we do as storytellers and actors.

Tickets for “A Chorus Line” run from $26.50 to $62.50. For tickets or more information, visit whartoncenter.com or call (517) 432-2000.