At the Ballet

At the Ballet is a song from the musical A Chorus Line.

Production

Changed for Good: A Feminist History of the Broadway Musical noted:^[1]

Composer Marvin Hamlisch said that the song set the tone for all the music in the show; once the song was written, the creators understood the shape and color of the piece as a whole".

Synopsis

The dancers explains their experiences with attending dance school, as well as family-related trauma. No matter how dark the rest of their world seems, they always feel happy and engaged "at the ballet".

Musicals101 explains ""At The Ballet" is a poignant tribute to the escape Sheila, Bebe, and Maggie found in the beauty of ballet."^[2]

Analysis

Changed for Good: A Feminist History of the Broadway Musical explains: "Sheila, Bebe, and Maggie sing the same wistful melody; then their harmonies grow and build, one layering on the other".^[3]

Critical reception

AussieTheatre.com described it as a "poignant song".^[4]

References

A Chorus Line

Adaptations	A Chorus Line (1975 musical) A Chorus Line (1985 film)

Songs	"I Hope I Get It" "I Can Do That" "At the Ballet" "Sing!" "Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love "Nothing Mother Gimme the Ball "Dance: Ten; Looks: Three" "The Music and the Mirror" "One" "What I Did for Love"