A Chorus Line
A Selected Bibliography
Compiled by William McKay
Bennett, Michael & Kirkwood, James & Dante, Nicholas, & Hamlisch, Marvin & Kleban, Edward. A Chorus Line: The Book of the Musical. New York: Applause Books, 1995.Not just the standard book and lyrics, this hard cover includes two loving tributes and a large collection of very fine stills.
Flinn, Denny Martin. What They Did For Love: The Untold Story Behind the Making of A Chorus Line. New York: Bantam Books, 1989. Coming out the same year as the Mandelbaum book listed below, this one is the lesser work, but not by far. If you can't find Mandelbaum's, which is rooted as a Bennett biography, this is the one to have.
Gottfried, Martin. Broadway Musicals. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1979. A beautifully bound coffee-table sized book get the original hard cover edition. A must for any theatre lover or anyone interested in learning about the art form. The pictures are sumptuous and there is well-written text on what makes a great musical. Plenty of fine examples sited, including A Chorus Line.
Gottfried, Martin. More Broadway Musicals Since 1980. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1991. A lesser volume (what can be expected considering the years covered?) but it offers some striking photos.
Mandelbaum, Ken. A Chorus Line and the Musicals of Michael Bennett. New York: St. Martins Press, 1989. The definitive book on the subject. Well-researched, lovingly and energetically written, and filled with information based on countless interviews.
Stevens, Gary & George, Alan. The Longest Line. New York: Applause, 1995. An unusual book that offers insights from unique perspectives - the understudies, replacement casts, backstage and production people. Plenty of facts and figures, but mostly quotes from extensive interviews. Loads of photos too.
Viagas, Robert & Lee, Baayork & Walsh, Thommie with the Entire Original Cast. On The Line. New York: William Morrow & Company, 1990. Written by the original cast. They have a lot to say and hold no punches. All the highlights and, even more fascinating, the low-points of A Chorus Line's production process. Lots of dirt and honesty.
LINK: www.achorusline.org - Original cast member Bayoork Lee is involved with this site dedicated to musical theatre's "one singular sensation." Great place to keep up to date on ACL alumni