A CHORUS LINE

INTRO

Lights off. MR. BLANCHE, the director, is seated in the audience, first row in the center.

BLANCHE. NEXT!

Spotlight on AMBROSIA auditioning, center stage.

AMBROSIA. Greetings! My name is Ambrosia. Yes, after the food of the gods because my voice
pleases them enough that they could live on it instead of food.

BLANCHE. [weirded out] Right. Begin when you’re ready.

Spotlight off, switch to par lights.

AMBROSIA. *inhales deeply and poses weirdly; sings off-key* MEMORYYYYY, ALL ALONE IN THE
MOOOOOOONLIIIIIIIGHT. I CAN SMIIIILE A—

BLANCHE. [cuts her off] Okay, that’s enough!

Par lights off, stage lights/foot lights on.

AMBROSIA. *whips hair* Is there a problem?

BLANCHE: Nothing, nothing. *waves hand in dismissal* That will be all. NEXT!

AMBROSIA. *narrows eyes* You will NEVER, I say NEVER find—

BLANCHE. [irritated] Look, did I say you didn’t make it? No, I did not. You know your way out.

AMBROSIA. Oh. [returns to jolly mode] Okay. *skips her way out*

Spotlight on BLANCHE as he stands. Spotlight follows him as he goes up left wing. Spotlight off, stage
lights
on once he’s onstage.

BLANCHE. *rubs temples* [stressed] Two months, two long months and I still couldn’t come up
with something even if it’s just to save my life, given the kind of auditions I am
getting!

Spotlight on RODNEY, the assistant director, as he arrives – left aisle.

RODNEY. Yo, boss, think you could use some more auditions? I had the fliers posted this
morning in a bunch of schools we left out. Maybe there’s still hope. They’re worth a
shot, eh?

BLANCHE. Ah, Rodney. While your optimism is commendable, we have yet to see if it does us
any good ‘cause I don’t need a band of screeching cats. I need A CHORUS LINE!

Lights off.

SCENE 1

Open curtains, stage lights on. Fifteen auditionees onstage, already on the last part of a dance
performance.

BLANCHE. Okay, I’ve seen enough. Everybody line up! Chop chop.
Everyone scrambles into place, panting and looking all nervous.

Alright, let’s get this over with. *consults paper in hand* Will the following please step forward?
Max, Anne, Chad, Marie, Jun, and Ambrosia.

Those mentioned do so, all too willingly, all smiles, etc.

For the two months that I’ve been on this quest, all I can say is...it wasn’t a walk in the park.
Auditions never really are. And although there were certainly moments where you all
made me want nothing but to pull my hair out, it still has been interesting. The
talents and potentials are definitely there. [pause] But it is not in this set of 6 that
I’ve seen them. I’m sorry, but auditions don’t provide happy endings for everybody.
Nevertheless, thank you for being here. You may exit the stage. *looks down to
paper in hand*

Those eliminated begin to clear out but Ambrosia stays, takes center stage.

AMBROSIA. This is unfair! I have as much talent as they have yet you’re cutting me off just like
that? YOU WILL NEVER FIND ANYONE AS BRILLIANT AS ME! Do you hear me? NEVER!
I’m telling you, Blanche!

BLANCHE. [bored, doesn’t look up from the paper in hand] I heard you alright, sweetheart. But
the exit’s still waiting for you.

AMBROSIA scoffs then storms off.

CHLOE. [eyes follow Ambrosia’s retreating form] *smirks* Well, somebody clearly needs to
show her how a proper storm off is done. Poor thing, no wonder she didn’t make the
cut.

BLANCHE. Hush! You made the first cut alright, but you can only exhale for so long. Only six will
make it through the final cut so you are expected to give this your all. I understand
that you still have school so I will be expecting you at 2 in the afternoon, sharp.
That’s a wrap!

Everybody exits. Curtains close, lights start to go off. BLANCHE exits right aisle. CHLOE stays behind,
center
stage. She clears her throat or claps her hands, spotlight on.

CHLOE. It’s only a wrap when I say it is.

Spotlight off, par lights on as her music starts to play. She sings and dances. But little did she know,
BLANCHE
remained, standing behind the center seats with arms folded. CHLOE ends, spotlight on as BLANCHE
makes his presence known.

BLANCHE. Of course, you just have to be first, don’t you? You thrive under the spotlight. Be
reminded though, that this is just a chorus line you’re auditioning for. Even with all
your talent, you’re not the main attraction. You sure you can settle for that?

CHLOE. A true child of the theatre can take on any role she is given, no matter how
insignificant. *holds chin high*

BLANCHE. And a true child of the theatre also understands every part of “That’s a wrap.”
*raises an eyebrow* Learn to catch up sometime.

CHLOE. I just had to get the feel of the stage before anything else. I’m sure you understand.

BLANCHE. That’s what they all say. *turns to leave*

CHLOE. Mr. Blanche?

CHLOE. *clasps hands* So, did I get in? *grins*

Lights off.

SCENE 2
Right aisle, spotlight both on EMILY and MARGAUX.

EMILY. What is the matter with you? Why did you become so clingy all of a sudden? You know how I hate
that.

MARGAUX. [wholeheartedly, meaningfully] Em, I keep seeing you give an extra sway to your hips
everytime you pass a male crowd. And you might think I don’t notice you batting
your eyelashes at every male who shoots an interested glance at you, but I do. How
is that supposed to make me feel? Of course I have the right to be protective of you.

EMILY. Well, I’m sorry, but from whom am I supposed to draw company from when you’re always missing
in action? And since when did you care, anyway?

MARGAUX. Missing in action? You know how I’m all for making this relationship work that’s why I
gave you space when you asked for it. I’ve given up playing ball and my violin
practices just so I could be there for you when you needed me and you call that
missing in action? I’ve always cared, Em. *comes closer and holds her arms* I always
did that’s why I’m not buying this. You’re not telling me something.

EMILY. *diverts eyes* [says quietly] I can’t do this anymore. I want out. *breaks free of Margaux’s hold and
walks away*

MARGAUX stops her.

MARGAUX. [softly] Hey, look. Forget we had this conversation. We’ll work this out, alright? But
right now I have to be somewhere. Keep holding that door open, Em. Please? *kisses
forehead*

MARGAUX rushes down the aisle, goes up right wing. Lights off.

SCENE 3

lights on. BLANCHE is at his desk at the back of center seats.

BLANCHE. NEXT!

NEXT? MARGAUX?

MARGAUX rushes in and proceeds center stage.

BLANCHE. May I ask what the reason is for your delay, my dear?

MARGAUX. [pants] Got. stuck. in. traffic. Sorry.

BLANCHE. Tardiness is very much looked down upon in the theatre. More so, traffic’s not a valid
excuse, you are expected to be responsible at all –

RODNEY arrives and interrupts.

RODNEY. Excuse me, boss, you got a sec?

RODNEY. Uh, it’s your mom.

BLANCHE. *rolls eyes* Of course. *takes phone, stands up* You, take five. *leaves* Ma?
Of course I want to talk to you it’s just that I was in... [voice fades]

SCENE 4
MARGAUX takes the opportunity to catch up with her breathing. She explores the stage, looks around the
theatre, all the while thinking of EMILY. She eventually wells up and breaks into some broken-hearted
song.
DIEGO hears her from backstage; he peeps from the curtains and offers her a consoling song which they
end
up singing together. They establish chemistry and connection and end the song looking into each other’s
eyes and at a surprising distance. MARGAUX is the first to break the connection, startled by what she feels
all of a sudden and their distance.

MARGAUX. No, not this again. *grabs her violin and hurriedly exits stage right*

She leaves DIEGO dazed and still staring at the direction she left. BLANCHE finally returns and seats
himself at
desk.

BLANCHE. Alright, where was I? *consults and fixes papers on the desk then looks up* Ah, you.
Good that you’re already there. You’re on.

DIEGO recovers from his reverie and faces BLANCHE.

BEGIN!

Lights off.

SCENE 5
Down the right aisle. Spotlight on both AARON and HIS MOM.

AARON. *hesitates* [slowly] See, Ma...I’m not sure if I’m continuing with the audition.

MOM. *laughs a little too loudly* I’m sorry, sweetheart. What did you say? I think I spaced-out back there
because I thought I heard you say you weren’t sure of going on with the audition.

AARON. [mutters] Not sure if I’m continuing with the audition. That’s what I said, Ma.

MOM. *smile vanishes, eyes narrow and nostrils flare* And just by what do you mean by that?

AARON. Look, Ma, I didn’t say I wouldn’t. I just haven’t really made up my mind. I’m
still thinking about it, you know?

MOM. [snappy] What, may I ask, is there to think about? At least tell me that, hmm?

AARON. I don’t exactly know...just stuff?

MOM. [with forced calm] Aaron, you are going through with the audition and that’s final. I cannot stress to
you enough how lucky you are; don’t just throw this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
away. You’ll have all the time in the world to think about “stuff” once you’ve already
made the final cut. Just not now, okay? *places hands on Aaron’s shoulders and rubs
it* Now, a true child of the theatre doesn’t keep the theatre waiting. *withdraws
 hands and fixes self* I’ll see you in a bit. *kisses cheek* Love you. *walks back up the
aisle*

MOM spotlight off.

AARON. [to himself] Do you, really?

He travels back up the aisle as he sings and dances. He performs around the audience and finishes center
stage/left wing, par lights/side lights on. He pants but revels in the moment a bit, then lights off.

SCENE 6

Stage lights on. BRIDGET comes on center stage and sings. Her voice cracks at first because of
nervousness
but later improves as she gets the hang of it.

BLANCHE. Enough! *scribbles something down then looks at her questioningly* Now, why did
you audition?

BRIDGET. *shoots him a “what kind of question is that?” look* Well, because I want to be part
of the play.

BLANCHE. Is that all? *raises an eyebrow*

BRIDGET. [puzzled] Should...should I have a different reason?

BLANCHE. I’ve met a lot of people who have quite interesting stories to tell. Yours by far is the
most boring and thoughtless of them all. [short pause] So, unless you still wish to
continue to impress on me that you are a boring person, rethink your answer. Why
did you audition?

BRIDGET. *hesitates* I just thought that maybe...maybe if I get in, people would change how
they think of me. If I get chosen out of thousands of people, I could prove them
wrong: that I can do it, that they can now count on the girl who ruined her school’s
play two years ago. [insecurities and doubt creep in] But who am I kidding? I’ve
already done it once so chances are I’m going to ruin everything all over again. I
can’t go through another round of being teased and getting blamed. I can’t do this!

BLANCHE. You’re right.

BRIDGET. [caught up with her monologue that she misses what Blanche said] If I fail again, I
wouldn’t just be called a loser, *turns to Blanche* I’d be called a loser TIMES TWO. I
can’t have that. I might as well give up.

BLANCHE. [smug] *nods* You’re absolutely right.

BRIDGET. [Blanche’s words finally registered to her] *freezes* Excuse me, what did you say? I
thought I heard you say that I was right.

BLANCHE. That’s exactly what I said. I’m actually agreeing that, considering your past and how
you think of your performance, you should just quit this whole thing. I mean, with
your anxiety attacks and all that, you just might ruin my play. So by quitting, you’d
be doing both of us a huge favor.

BRIDGET. *scoffs* [appalled, “how dare you” look but speechless] *shakes her head to clear
things up* Hold on a sec. I take everything back. You want to know why I want to join
the play? It’s because I know I can sing and I want to be a singer. People may
constantly remind of my failures but in theatre, you either hang on or you hang up.
[with dignity] And I choose to hang on. *leaves stage*
BLANCHE. *chuckles* Now that was a performance.

Lights off.

SCENE 7

CHARLIE enters left wing and pauses at the entrance while she readies herself for the audition.

CHARLIE. *inhales deeply* Okay, there is nothing to worry about. The characters in the books
you read go through much bigger situations.

Spotlight off, stage lights on as CHARLIE starts walking.

You can’t hide behind books forever, Charlie. It’s not like you’re facing some villain
who’d do you in an instant. But then again, it is Mr. Blanche. And no one else can
torture me but him. What with his scary eye contact and the weird way he snaps at
almost everything. *gulps* Okay, get a hold of yourself and practice. [says a line from
the monologue, Always Ridiculous] “I thought I was going mad. It can't be true! But it
is. God! How hard and cruel I was to poor Vargas, how deliberately cruel! Conscience,
you must be satisfied--I'm alone…” *stops then sighs* Okay, Charlie. It’ll go fine.
Performing will probably be fun once you get the hang of it. The spotlight, [gets
worried all the more] the stage, the attention *gulps* ...all to yourself. GAH! Okay,
just jump all the nerves out. *hops* Shake your hands. *shakes* No turning back
now. I’m doing this for me and gonna finish it for me.

BLANCHE. And what was that supposed to be?

Spotlight off, par lights on.

CHARLIE. *eyes widen and mouth opens* HOLY... *covers mouth* I’m sorry. Tha-that wasn’t what I m-
meant to do. I can do something else.

BLANCHE. [drawls] That will be all. Thank you.

CHARLIE. *panics* Wha-what about my audition? I swear that’s –

BLANCHE. Thank you, I’ve seen enough.

CHARLIE. Oh please, Mr. Blanche! I’ve prepared something else. Give me one more chance, just
one!

BLANCHE. [annoyed] In any production, you are only given one chance and the decision rests on you
if
are going to make the most out of it or not. You already had your chance.

CHARLIE whimpers and hurriedly exits.

BLANCHE. NEXT! *looks down on folder or tinkers with laptop

SCENE 8

BOBBY pokes his head through the center of curtains.

BOBBY. Center stage! Single spotlight!

And a huge banner that reads BOBBI. *comes out of the curtains and unfolds banner*

CHLOE and FLO enters.

BOBBY. You ready, ladies?

FLO & CHLOE. Bring it, Bobby!

BOBBY. Now, without further ado, hit it!

Beyonce’s Single Ladies starts playing and the trio dances. They assume poses as the performance ends.
Lights off.

SCENE 9
Right wing, stage and side lights on. Auditionees are lounging, waiting for their turn and minding their own
business. DIEGO is sitting with his guitar. LIA moves around, vocalizes like there’s no tomorrow.

DIEGO.Hey, I think you should sit down just take it easy.

LIA. Gladly. But considering I have a family that I basically run, I don’t think so. Every note
is life and death so it is imperative that I perfect the song. I slack off, I screw up. I
screw up, I get less. I get less, fewer mouths in the family will be properly fed. I
couldn’t live with myself with that.

DIEGO. *raises eyebrows and whistles* Okay...so clearly, “chill” is not in your vocabulary.

LIA. Probably. But at least it’s not the only one in mine.

DIEGO. *smirks* Then it’s high time you make it a part of yours.

LIA. That’s not the point. Geez, how ignorant can you get?

DIEGO. Just as much as you’re making me up to be.

LIA. You’re unbelievable! You take insults as if they’re the most normal thing that you could receive.

DIEGO.I know who I am so why mind?

LIA. You’re really as carefree as they come, aren’t you?

DIEGO.Maybe I am. But you wanna know one thing I’m absolutely sure about?

LIA. What?

DIEGO.*points to chair* That chair right there is still vacant. Why don’t you hold your horses for a bit and
show it some love?

LIA ignores him and is about to vocalize again when DIEGO stands, goes to her, and offers her his arm. She
smirks and rolls her eyes but takes it and lets him lead her to the chair.

LIA. I said I can’t. I’m on in a bit. I have to— *makes to leave*

DIEGO.*stands in her way and enunciates* Excuse me miss, you are rocking the boat. And unless you
know what to do, I’m afraid we have to throw you overboard.

LIA gives in and sits down.

LIA. What’s next, boss? Roll over and play dead?

DIEGO.*grins and extends hand* I’m Diego.

LIA. *shakes it* Lia. [relieved] And thank you. This feels good, I admit. *nods*

DIEGO.Sitting down has never been this good, eh? And look, I understand what you’re going through. It’s
just that you have to loosen up once in a while. Don’t make much of a routine out of
it ‘cause you’ll eventually tire of it. Love and find happiness in what you do, yo.

LIA. Epic.

DIEGO. *smug* Perks of a carefree kid.

LIA. But you know, you’re lucky you don’t have earning money as part of your homework. And just
because you think something is always there doesn’t mean you should take it for
granted. You usually you don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone. Don’t wait for that to
happen.

DIEGO.Duly noted. Thank you.

LIA. *rolls eyes* So, any other tricks you got up your sleeve?

DIEGO.Oh not much, it’s just me and my trusty “steed” *gestures to guitar*. I can carry a tune as well but
nothing serious.

LIA. Diego, Diego. You have to get used to being in the theatre. Show, don’t tell. *winks*

DIEGO plays a song, LIA sings a few lines. It gets the other auditionees’ attention then everybody joins in.

DIEGO. So I knew we could help each other out. *winks*

Everybody laughs and feels good, feels the bond starting to grow between them.

SCENE 10
Auditionees chill, stage business – talk, laugh, etc until RODNEY pops in.

RODNEY. Yo guys, think you could take 45 for a bit? Mr. Blanche’s got an...err, situation to
attend to at the moment. An unexpected visitor – in the form of his Ma – decided to
drop by. I’m sure you’re all pretty famished or tired of being cooked up here all
afternoon. News couldn’t come at a better time, yeah? Catch ya later.

DIEGO.So...pizza?

Everybody rushes out except for Chloe who stays behind to retouch her makeup. She stops when she sees
MARGAUX come back through her compact’s mirror. As she turns around, Tamia’s Almost plays in the
back-
ground.

MARGAUX. [uncomfortable, avoids eye contact] Um, uh, I left my wallet.

MARGAUX proceeds to her bag while CHLOE hurriedly gathers her things. She rushes to the exit when her
lip-
stick falls out of her bag. She bends to pick it up but accidentally kicks it farther. She gets up and comes
face
to face with MARGAUX who’s on her way out. They sidestep in the same direction twice and finally
coordinate.
MARGAUX exits while CHLOE gets her lipstick. She looks at it and thinks about what just happened and
sighs.
She then snaps out of it, goes back to the old Chloe and fixes herself before she exits.

Lights off.
SCENE 11
Open curtains right wing. Stage lights on. AARON sits at the piano, FLO readies herself for her audition.

BLANCHE. So it all ends with you, huh?

FLO. Yes.

BLANCHE. How do you feel?

FLO. [with a small smile ‘cause she remembers Janina San Miguel] [smug] No pressure right now.

BLANCHE. *chuckles* Good. Ready?

FLO. Ready as I’ll ever be.

FLO looks to AARON and he begins to play. FLO then begins her audition. Close curtains and lights off at
the end of the performance.

SCENE 12
Lights on, right wing. Auditionees talk while they wait for FLO to return. Stage business. After a bit, Aaron
enters.

AARON. Sup, guys?

LIA. Hey. How’d it go?

CHARLIE. And where’s Flo?

DIEGO. Nice rhyme, you guys.

AARON. *smirks and takes a seat* It went alright. She did well like I knew she would.

DIEGO. Man, if there’s anyone who deserves to be in right now, it’s her. I was absolutely blown away
by
what she told us over pizza.

MARGAUX. *nods* She’s one every strong girl.

BOBBY. I agree. Being an orphan all her life? She’s one tough cookie. Sure, my parents get on my
nerves sometimes – especially when they make me pay for my own face essentials – but I
still couldn’t imagine my life without them.

CHLOE. I hear you, Bobby. And I must admit, her happiness, provides her with a glow no amount of
tinted moisturizer could match up to. Trust me, I tried.

BRIDGET. It amazes me how she still manages to want to please people, see to it that it works out for
them even if she can’t even do it for herself.

AARON. She has every reason in the world to be bitter yet she doesn’t allow it to get the best of her.

DIEGO. Happiness through selflessness, that’s some epic stuff.

CHARLIE. Her life definitely serves as a lesson for all of us.

RODNEY. Listen up, people. Now, now. I know you’re already getting fed up or may already even be
with my face but I swear, this’ll be the last time I’ll be all up in your grills. Okay, so the boss
has sent me here to give you his best wishes for the final performance. You are all on in five
minutes.

Everyone gets up and begins to file out of the room. As RODNEY is about to exit, FLO enters quite
hurriedly.

FLO. Heard the final performance is on in five minutes?

RODNEY. Right. Good luck!

FLO. Thank you! But I’ll just go get something in my bag first.

RODNEY. Go ahead. I’ll wait for you.

FLO rubs shoulders with RODNEY as she proceeds to her bag. Something in RODNEY’S clipboard catches
her eye.

FLO. [while rummaging in her bag] She’s beautiful. She your girl?

RODNEY. Who? This? *removes picture from clipboard* Nah, she’s my mom. Here. *hands it to FLO*

FLO finishes her business with her bag and moves to receive the picture.

FLO. *gasps as she sees it* Oh my God.

RODNEY. Why, what’s wrong, Flo?

FLO. Hold on. *goes back to bag and extracts something*

RODNEY. [slowly] It can’t be.

FLO shows her picture and they put it side by side.

BLANCHE. RODNEY!

RODNEY. Um, uh, uh, I gotta go. But we’ll talk okay? Right after. I’ll be there. * quickly one arm hugs
her* Break a leg! *scurries off*

FLO just stares right after him, stunned.

BLANCHE. IS EVERYBODY IN THEIR PLACES?

FLO recovers from her reverie and exits. Lights off.

FINALE