Youthful dancers, aging show

In the ’70s, A Chorus Line was the megahit musical of its day. Now the show’s back after a long absence. The big draw has always been the fabulous dance numbers, which are still thrilling, especially the high-kicking finale. But the show’s other aspects don’t seem as fresh in 2010—the music (too much brass, not enough variety) hasn’t aged well, and most characterizations are really rather sketchy. And the way the show handles social themes about careers, aging, love, sexuality, coming out to parents, etc., which were groundbreaking (for a mainstream musical) back in the day now feel a tad dated—if only because the world’s moved on, and subsequent musicals have visited those topics in greater depth.

A Chorus Line, 2 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; $18-$65. Broadway Sacramento at the Community Center Theater, 1301 L Street; (916) 557-1999; www.broadwaysacramento.com. Through May 30.