At the Ballet explained

At the Ballet
Composer:Marvin Hamlisch
Lyricist:Edward Kleban

"At the Ballet" is a song from the musical A Chorus Line.

Production

Changed for Good: A Feminist History of the Broadway Musical noted:[1]

Synopsis

The dancers explain their experiences with attending dance school, as well as family-related trauma. No matter how dark the rest of their world seems, they always feel happy and engaged "at the ballet".

Musicals101 explains "At the Ballet" as a "poignant tribute to the escape Sheila, Bebe, and Maggie found in the beauty of ballet."[2]

Analysis

Changed for Good: A Feminist History of the Broadway Musical explains: "Sheila, Bebe, and Maggie sing the same wistful melody; then their harmonies grow and build, one layering on the other".[1]

Critical reception

AussieTheatre.com described it as a "poignant song".[3]

In popular culture

The song was covered by the cast of Glee in the fourth season episode "Lights Out", performed by regular cast members Naya Rivera, Lea Michele and Chris Colfer with recurring guest star Sarah Jessica Parker.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Changed for Good: A Feminist History of the Broadway Musical - Stacy Wolf . registration . 122 . at the ballet a chorus line. . 2011 . . Oxford University Press . 2015-07-27.
  2. Web site: A Chorus Line II by William McKay . Musicals101.com . 2015-07-27.
  3. Web site: Debora Krizak joins the Chorus Line | News . Aussietheatre.com.au . 2011-10-16 . 2015-07-27.