Broadway Actress Gay Marshall Meets with Cast of Hathaway Brown Theatre Institute's A CHORUS LINE

"Thrilling," "exciting" and "amazing" is how the cast members of Hathaway Brown Theatre Institute's upcoming production of A CHORUS LINE described the time they spent with Broadway veteran Gay Marshall. Marshall, whose credits include both the Broadway and National Touring companies of A CHORUS LINE, grew up in Cleveland and caught the theatre bug taking classes at the Cleveland Playhouse. She recently observed a rehearsal at the Hathaway Brown School in Shaker Heights and shared stories and tips with the fascinated group of young performers as they readied their show for its August 1 opening.

"How moved I was to see such a professional level of performance from such sincere and talented kids," said Gay. "The voices were beautiful and straight from the heart and the acting was for real -- what more can you ask for in a show?"

A CHORUS LINE co-director Fred Sternfeld said bringing in successful theatre professionals like Ms. Marshall was part of HBTI's mission to provide high-level training for young people interested in the performing arts, as well as professional-level production experiences. "Talking with Gay allowed our students to see how their hard work can pay off, should they choose to pursue professional careers as actors, singers and dancers," said Sternfeld, who is also HBTI's Executive Artistic Director. Co-director Bebe Weinberg Katz added, "Getting this kind of real-world perspective and feedback from a working actress-especially one who actually performed in the very same show on Broadway-is more valuable than gold for our students. It's truly the icing on the cake for them after five weeks of very intense work." Katz, who is Associate Artistic Director at HBTI, is also choreographing the show.

A CHORUS LINE, one of the most popular musicals of all time, is the story of a group of dancers competing for eight coveted spots in the chorus of a Broadway musical. It is of the longest-running musicals in Broadway history, as well as a Pulitzer and multiple Tony and Drama Desk-winner.

Performances for A CHORUS LINE will be August 1 - 10, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 p.m. on the main stage at Hathaway Brown School, 19600 North Park Blvd., Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122. Tickets are $11-15 and may be purchased online at www.hb.edu/tickets, by calling 216.320.8796 ext. 7270, or at the door (if available) the day of the performance.

Now in its second year, the Hathaway Brown Theatre Institute was created by the Performing Arts Department of Hathaway Brown School. It is a co-ed program open to students across the region in first grade through college. HBTI offers coursework in drama, dance, and music. Last year, HBTI taught more than 170 students, with more attending this year. Students of HBTI's staff of professional artists have gone on to perform on Broadway, in regional theatre, and in film and television.