Performers share a love of theatre

Press, 2 December 1987, Page 22

Performers share a love of theatre

“I don’t know what else I would do.” When Christina Gradl repeats her character’s line in answer to what she would do if she could not be a performer, the words are very close to home. The American performer from “A Chorus Line” does not know what else she would want to do other than sing, dance and act. She has given it some thought because of the uncertainties inherent in

the profession, but still the answer is “I want to perform.” It is something she has wanted since she began dancing at three. The desire to perform is something all members of the “A Chorus Line” cast share. It is also the subject of the musical itself. Lise Simms and Linda Gabler also knew they wanted to follow a career on stage at early ages. Lise Simms plays Judy

in the show and Linda Gabler is understudy for several roles. The three performers auditioned for the world tour of “A Chorus Line” because they knew the show and because it was “too good an opportunity to miss — to tour the world in this show.” Lise Simms is from a family of singers, three others of whom are also performers. Something of a rarity in the cast, she lives in Colorado rather than New York.

“I lived in New York for a while but I like Colorado and I have been working with a repertory company there.” She and Christina Gradl have a track record of stage performances behind them, something to show producers and casting directors. Linda Gabler is in her first year out of college where she trained in the performing arts. She admits that being cast in “A Chorus Line” is a luckv break.

She would love to have a bigger role on stage r and thoroughly enjoyed the week she filled in for one of the stars. Her long-term aim is to simply “keep working.” It is an aim the performers share. They know the uncertainties and problems of the business. They also know the joys and satisfactions of a show well done. Like Christina Gradl’s character, Maggie, they would not trade places with anyone.