The cast of A Chorus Line performs powerful musical numbers in one of the longest- running shows in Broadway history. Catch it at Toby’s through March 10. Photo by Jeri Tidwell Photography

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Photo by Jeri Tidwell Photography

A Chorus Line, one of the longest-running Broadway shows of all time, highlights both the romance and the struggle of performing in a Broadway musical.

Behind the glory of being part of a show in America’s theater capital are hard work, constant auditions, likelihood of rejection, and — at least for the characters in the show — the need to overcome the harsh experiences of the past.

A year after the show opened in 1975, the musical was nominated for 12 Tony Awards and won nine, including one for Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban, who wrote the music and the lyrics. The show and its authors also won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

A Chorus Line is now playing at Toby’s Dinner Theatre through March 10.

The show revolves around a director and choreographer, Zach, portrayed wonderfully by Toby’s regular Jeffrey Shankle. Zach must choose eight out of more than 20 talented dancers for a show-stopping number in an unnamed Broadway musical.

How can Zach choose the best ones, especially given their varied backgrounds and idiosyncratic personalities? Adding further complication is the presence of a former lover of his in the ranks.

A show composed of vignettes

While the show has a clear plot, it is not so much a unified play as a series of compelling vignettes and backstage stories about people auditioning.

The Toby’s cast, under the splendid direction of Mark Minnick and the superb choreography of Vincent Musgrave, presents these stories in compelling fashion.

Especially memorable moments in the production include: a frantically funny monologue of Bobby (David Singleton) about his “strange” family and himself; Val (Alexis Krey-Bedore) wonderfully performing the bawdy retro-jazz number, “Dance: Ten; Looks: Three,” and Lydia Gifford’s wondrous dancing skills and vocal power as Zach’s former flame Cassie in “The Music and the Mirror.”

Several of the women dancers relate that their childhoods were depressing, but they found that “everything was beautiful at the ballet,” leading to their dance careers. Another favorite moment was an energetic Nicky Kaider as Mike in the Dixieland-flavored “I Can Do That,” accompanied well by Toby’s eight-piece orchestra.

Show stoppers

The show builds up beautifully to the show-stopping number “One.” This is first performed in a highly stylized version of a rehearsal, with Zach and Cassie revisiting old conflicts in dialogue in the center of the dancers in a series of Brechtian moments. The juxtaposition of their interpersonal relationship with the objective professionalism of a crisp, exacting Broadway number is a highlight of the show.

“One” is later reprised by the entire cast, including director Zach, as the finale. This was my one qualm about the design of the original show: With the cast in full Broadway costume, the audience awaits a seamless and spectacular performance.

Unfortunately, as each cast member comes out (now resplendent in glittery gold costume and top hat), the audience applauds as if a major part of the show is not taking place but instead has ended. To this reviewer, it seemed as if they were “running the end credits” over an important part of the show.

This quibble aside, the show is excellent. We come to understand why these dancers continue to want to dance, despite the indefatigable effort and odds of rejection.

We also come to understand the character of Zach: At the beginning of the show, he seems aloof and indifferent. Later, we find that he cares for the potential cast members more than he can easily admit.

A Chorus Line offers the audience an opportunity to encounter both the glitter and the grit of Broadway. Toby’s production makes it easy to understand why this musical, a phenomenon in the 1970s, continues to be popular today.

A Chorus Line runs through March 10. Due to the large number of cast members in this “theatre in the round” production, audience members who leave during the first half of the show are not allowed back inside until the intermission. The show also has occasional strong language and adult themes, which may make it inappropriate for young children.

Toby’s is located at 5900 Symphony Woods Rd. in Columbia. Advance reservations are required.

Performances take place Tuesday through Sunday nights, with matinees on Wednesday and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. (buffet brunch for matinees opens at 10:30 a.m.).

Tickets are $74-$79 for adults and $57-$60 for children 12 and under. All tickets include an all-you-can-eat buffet (brunch or dinner).

Those 65 and over may attend any Tuesday or Wednesday performance for $62.90. Tickets may be purchased from Ticketmaster or by phone from the box office at (410) 730-8311 or via tobysdinnertheatre.com.