`A CHORUS LINE' STILL CAN'T-MISS MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT.

Byline: Rob Lowman Daily News Staff Writer

There is a genius to ``A Chorus Line'' that makes it almost immune to criticism. The Pulitzer Prize-winning musical is, after all, about a group of dancers trying to win a spot on the chorus of a Broadway musical.

Each has come to the Great White Way with stars in their eyes. Each is hoping that the spotlight will fall on them, but each is willing to put aside their dreams and aspirations in order to become ``One,'' a ``singular sensation'' as the signature tune of the show goes.

It is a clever examination of two of the primary forces in American culture - individualism and a communal spirit. Conceived by the late Michael Bennett, the show is brilliant in its simplicity. The action takes place on a mostly bare stage as the dancers face the highs, lows and anxieties of their tryout, which is made more tense by the personal questions posed by Zach, the director of the unnamed show, as he searches for the right combination.

As Zach pokes and probe, each dancer tries to stand out, joking and mugging as they tell their stories. As a counterpoint, the action sometimes switches to the internal thoughts of the dancers, while the storyteller's tale fades to the background. This happens during the number ``Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love,'' when a funny moment triggers remembrances of sexual awakenings.

Put in the hands of a competent theater group, ``A Chorus Line'' can't help but entertain. In the hands of the talented group now performing it at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, it becomes a terrific evening.

Foremost an ensemble work, ``A Chorus Line'' - true to its premise - does not live and die on one particular performance. Nevertheless, with memorable music by Marvin Hamlish and a witty book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, there are ample opportunities for performers to shine.

Among the many notables was Kimberly Dawn Neuman who sassily tells the story of how she made some front- and rear-end adjustments on her body to succeed in ``Dance: Ten; Looks: Three.'' John Salvatore is quite amusing as Bobby. Michelle Bruckner is just the right combination of tough and vulnerable as Shelia, and Cindy Marchionda is a spunky Diane.

Under the direction of Baayork Lee, an original Broadway cast member, ``A Chorus Line'' remains set in 1975 yet does not seem dated, and that is due much to the timelessness of its themes.

There is one scene that has the potential to seem dated. In it, Paul (in a wonderful performance by Luis Villabon) tells Zach how his parents discovered he was gay. You wonder what Bennett, who died of AIDS in 1987, would have thought of the ``Ellen'' episode?

``A Chorus Line'' isn't without its flaws (Cassie's relationship to Zach seems to be there more to make a point about rejoining the chorus than real). But these are easily overlooked. If you've never seen the show or have only seen the movie, take a trip to Pasadena - and even if you have, it's still a can't-miss evening of entertainment.

THE FACTS

What: ``A Chorus Line.''

Where: The Pasadena Civic, 300 E. Green St., [phone].

When: Tonight through May 11.

Tickets: Up to $36. Call [phone].

Our rating: Three Stars.

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Photo

Photo: Kimberly Dawn Neumann (Val), performs ``Dance: Ten; Looks: Three'' from ``A Chorus Line,'' Broadway's longest-running musical, now playing at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.