Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on August 2011

In 2010, 22 years after it was last performed here, A Chorus Line sold out every show and was seen by more than 60,000 in its Japan revival. With this kind of interest in the 36-year-old musical, it’s no wonder that even an earthquake and tsunami couldn’t prevent its return. A generation later, the simple story of 17 Broadway hopefuls created by choreographer Michael Bennett, composer Marvin Hamlisch and lyricist Edward Kleban still has the power to move. The most recent edition to reach Tokyo features new staging by original cast member Baayork Lee.

Akasaka Act Theater, until Aug 21 (listing).