I started off 2010 writing about the soundtrack to a television series for the first time. And now it’s time for another first: a movie musical. You’re so excited I can hear you squealing with joy all the way from my couch.

I know my choice of A Chorus Line: The Movie (1985) will be a bit controversial, particularly for fans of the stage show, but I don’t care. I grew up watching this movie and, since this column is (mostly) not a democracy, I’m going to write about whatever I want.

I will start out by telling you that I’ve never actually seen A Chorus Line on stage — Broadway or otherwise. I know that’s  a bit ridiculous, since it was one of the longest running Broadway shows in history, which also had a touring production that probably made its way through my neck of the woods several times. I always wanted to see it, but it just never worked out for me.

I do, however, have the album of the original 1975 Broadway cast recording and I’ve listened to it many, many times. So while I can’t speak from first-hand experience about the differences between the movie and the stage show, I can at least speak about the differences in the songs.

I know I’ve told you several times that I have an unhealthy obsession with 1980s dance movies, and director Richard Attenborough’s film adaptation of the successful Broadway musical came out right at the height of my interest in this genre, so of course I was immediately obsessed with it. I watched it over and over on cable, even taping it onto a blank VHS tape, which I proceeded to wear out. I eventually bought the soundtrack on cassette with birthday money when I was 10 years old and played it to death on my boom box. I actually still have that cassette and, until recently, it was the only way I could listen to the now out-of-print soundtrack album. I finally got my hands on a CD of the album and now you get to benefit from my find (well, some of you might think you’re benefiting).

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