“A Chorus Line” is a show that never gets old for Nathan Lubeck.
“This will be my fifth production,” said Lubeck, who’s part of an international tour and will head to Japan in August.
The performer, who grew up in Augusta, played the role of Mike in the Augusta Players 2016 production of the show which originally appeared on Broadway in 1975.
For the international tour, he’ll take on the role of Don Kerr. This is the first time he’s done the role, but he said he can find something relatable to all the characters he’s portrayed because it’s a show about performers whose careers revolve around getting that next part and being in that next show.
To Lubeck, the audition process is the main work; the rehearsals and the performances are like the vacation.
Lubeck grew up in a family of performers. His parents, Chuck and Mickey Lubeck, toured with “Cats” and “Evita,” and his mother operates Musical Theatre Workshops, where she teaches the next generation of performers.
Currently in Las Vegas, Nathan Lubeck has worked on five different cruise ships and has performed in the professional theaters in Atlanta. He also just helped with the choreography of Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre’s upcoming production of “The Addams Family,” which his mother is directing. “The Addams Family” opens July 22.
He performed in the City Springs Theatre Co. production of “A Chorus Line” March an Sandy Springs, Ga. under Baayork Lee, who directed and choreographed the show.
Lee created the role of Connie in the original 1975 production of “A Chorus Line.”
While there is room for some interpretation of the character, Lubeck said the choreography is strict.
“It’s very specific. It’s detailed down to what angle your face focuses to the inflection of your voice,” he said.
An added challenge to the show is keeping it fresh every night. It is about a group of performers meeting at an audition. Everything is supposed to be new to them.
“We have to make it believable. Even the mess-ups are choreographed,” he said.
The Japan tour is only supposed to last a month, but he’s hopeful that the contract will be extended. If not, he’ll be like his character Don and go where the next paying gig finds him.
To learn more about the production, visit achoruslineontour.com.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the managing editor of The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
