Play Review: ‘According to the Chorus’

Walterdale Theatre opened its 67th season with According to the Chorus, written by Arlene Hutton and directed by Barbara Mah and Mary Jane Kreisel. It found a way to keep the story and characters snappy and fun while also tackling issues like the AIDs crisis and domestic violence.

Taking place in the quick-change room of a broadway theatre in the 1980s, the play focuses on KJ (Jenn Bewick), a new dresser at the production. She finds herself navigating — and oftentimes stuck in between — the warring dressers and chorus girls. 

The play is steeped in ’80s themes from the neon to the makeup and the dialogue. But it also tackles the AIDs crisis happening on Broadway. It hands over the play from the very first moment of silence the dressers and chorus girls hold for the chorus boys that have gotten sick to the very last. 

The play also tackled domestic violence issues, with Stacie (Lexi House) showing up in her first scene with a black eye. From there, Stacie surfs on her fellow chorus girls’ couches and contemplates her relationship. Thankfully, by the end of the play Stacie leaves her husband and looks forward to a new life.

Both issues were highlighted by the red and purple ribbons painted across the floor of the set. There were also smaller ribbons audience members could write the name of someone they know who has been affected by HIV or domestic violence on. Those ribbons would be added to the set throughout the play’s run. 

Despite the heavier issues of the play, it was in large part, funny and chaotic. The dressers are constantly cleaning up after the chorus girls and getting borderline verbally abused by them. KJ, not well liked by the other dressers, tries to get on the side of the chorus girls. That only further complicates the dynamics in the quick-change room.

Possibly the sweetest subplot was the reunion of Peter (Justin Pitt) and KJ. The two were formerly engaged until Peter came out as gay. Watching their relationship grow from icy to loving and supportive was lovely to watch.

And aside from a few stumbles over lines, the cast did a great job. Anglia Redding and Leslie Caffaro embodied the bitter and disgruntled dressers to the fullest. It contrasted perfectly with the high maintenance and energized chorus girls. 

Though there were five girls, they all had distinct personalities and roles. Unfortunately for Joyce’s character (Keighla Dawn), she stood out for being entirely unmemorable. 

One of the best scenes was when the chorus girls have to dress themselves — and fail miserably at it. The music and lighting paired with it made the flailing and flopping chorus girls even more funny.

But, easily my favourite character was Vander (Josh Young), the stage manager that was always running around and making jokes. His character tugs at your heart strings as he begins to get sick, coughing more and getting sores on his face and arms. 

The crew also deserve some props. The set was amazingly well done, changing just a little bit to show the passage of time. And the tech crew didn’t miss a beat. From the lighting to the music that started every time the door to the theatre opened and stopped the moment the door shut. The costumes — and there were many for the chorus girls — fit perfectly with the needs of the play.

Though the ending of the play is a bit of a downer, it tackles important topics and still brings a lot of fun and shenanigans to the stage. It’s a play well worth watching, though you may shed a tear or two after plenty of laughs.

According to the Chorus plays at the Walterdale Theatre until October 18.