1628 + One: NJPAC Attempts to Break Chorus Line World Record

When the original production of A Chorus Line closed in 1990, it was the longest running show on Broadway to date. Next month, to promote the arrival of the beloved musical to Newark, NJPAC will attempt to break a record of its own – the world’s biggest chorus line.

According to Guinness World Records, the current record for most people in a chorus line of 1,628 people was set in Santa Monica, Calif. on April 3, 2004. If 1,629 or more people show up at The Shops at Riverside in Hackensack on April 16, NJPAC will clinch the title and its goal – gathering the biggest group of people to dance "One" as one. 

In the past, NJPAC has staged sword fighting in the venue’s lobby for a production of Spamalot and has hosted Girl Scout sleepovers.

For Chorus Line, Tyrone Manning, associate director of promotions and audience engagement, said NJPAC wanted to come up with something everyone could participate in.

“We wanted to kind of put a spin on things,” Manning said.

When asked if any celebrity participants can be expected, Manning said local elected officials were invited, but had not confirmed their attendance. “I can’t really say if there are going to be any surprises right now … I would hope so,” he added.

Chorus line participants will gather on the Lower Level of The Shops at Riverside, 390 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, at 10 a.m. Anyone who is 5 and over and can comfortably follow a “very simple” five-minute dance routine is welcome. An instructional video has been made available in advance so that participants can rehearse. (See attached or visit www.youtube.com/njpactv.)

Participants are asked to wear denim jeans with a white shirt on top. It could be a t-shirt, blouse or golf shirt – the style of the shirt isn’t as important as the requirement that it not have any logos, lettering or artwork on it.

Walk up registration starts at 10 a.m. on the day of event, but pre-registration is strongly recommended.

As a thank you – and incentive – participants will receive light refreshments, free parking at the mall and 20% off selected seats to a performance.

A Chorus Line, a show about 17 dancers in the audition of a lifetime, premiered in 1975 and won nine Tony Awards and the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The cast at NJPAC will include New Jersey natives Erica Cenci as Bebe and Eric Carsia as Don. 

The national tour of A Chorus Line stops at the NJPAC in Newark from April 26 through May 1. For tickets, visit www.njpac.org.