Theatrical poster from 1900 showing an early chorus line.|thumb|upright

One of the 200 chorus girls appearing in the American film [[Gold Diggers of 1933.|thumb|upright]]

thumb|right|A modern chorus line.

A chorus line is a large group of dancers who together perform synchronized routines, usually in musical theatre. Sometimes, singing is also performed. While synchronized dancing indicative of a chorus line was vogue during the first half of the 20th century, modern theatre uses the terms "ensemble" and "chorus" to indicate all supporting players in a stage production.

History

In the mid-1800s, chorus lines of cartwheeling, synchronized dancing can-can "girls" began sprouting up throughout Paris with even edgier, more erotic cabarets found in venues like the Moulin Rouge, Le Lido, and the Folies Bergẻre. By the late 1860s, the scandalous trend found its way to the United States with a more conservative trend of chorus lines hitting England, including Tiller Girls and Gaiety Girls. Chorus lines throughout Western Europe and the United States largely owned the stages of the early twentieth century. Chorus line dancers in early Broadway musicals and revues were referred to by slang terms such as ponies, gypsies and twirlies.

Chorus lines hit vogue in the 1920s and 30s, as the life and possibilities of a "chorus girl" became sensationalized in fiction, newspapers, and film, capturing the imaginations of young women seeking independence, adventure, and a happily ever after. Real-life examples of the Cinderella narrative included Lilian Russel and Billie Dove, both of whom began their careers as chorus girls and married into wealth.

The chorus line was a common place of entry for women hoping to make a career out of performing. Some women, who started successful careers in the performing arts as chorus girls include Paulette Goddard, Barbara Stanwyck, and Betty Grable.

Famous chorus lines

  • Gaiety Girls (started in England during the 1890s)
  • Tiller Girls (international act starting in the 1890s)
  • Ziegfeld girls
  • The Rockettes (U.S. act founded in 1925)

Famous performers

Performers who started out dancing in traditional chorus lines include:

  • Louise Alexander
  • June Allyson
  • Carroll Baker
  • Josephine Baker
  • Lucille Ball
  • Betty Boothroyd
  • Anise Boyer
  • Louise Brooks
  • Marion Davies
  • Yvonne De Carlo
  • Myrna Dell
  • Marlene Dietrich
  • Alice Faye
  • Paulette Goddard
  • Jane Wyman

See also

  • Can-can
  • Friedrichstadt-Palast
  • Showgirl
  • Corps de ballet

References