| "At the Ballet" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| Released | 1975 |
| Composer(s) | Marvin Hamlisch |
| Lyricist(s) | 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]
Composer Marvin Hamlisch said that the song set the tone for all the music in the show; once the song was written, the creators understood "the shape and color of the piece as a whole".
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.
References
- ^
a
b
Changed for Good: A Feminist History of the Broadway Musical - Stacy Wolf. Oxford University Press. 2011. p.
122. Retrieved 2015-07-27 – via
Internet Archive.
at the ballet a chorus line.
- ^ "A Chorus Line II by William McKay". Musicals101.com. Retrieved 2015-07-27.
- ^ "Debora Krizak joins the Chorus Line | News". Aussietheatre.com.au. 2011-10-16. Retrieved 2015-07-27.