50 | OCTOBER 26 • 2023 J
N
T
wo local young
theater performers
— Toby Gittleman of
West Bloomfield and Kevin
Keller of Detroit — play the
parts of auditioning young
theater performers in the hit
musical A Chorus Line.
Gittleman as Bobby and
Keller as Greg take the stage
for the Nicely Theatre Group
performances at 7:30 p.m.
Friday-Saturday, Oct. 27-28,
and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29,
at the Berman Center for the
Performing Arts in The J in
West Bloomfield.
The musical features many
song and dance numbers as
well as dramatic portrayals of
individuals seeking success
in their careers. Among the
songs, by Marvin Hamlisch
and Edward Kleban, are “I
Can Do That,” “At the Ballet”
and “One.”
“I really like that Bobby
is sure of himself and
who he is and what he
believes,” said Gittleman,
who has studied acting
at Bloomfield Hills High
School, was coached in
singing by private teachers
and took dance lessons
at Dance Dynamics
Performing Arts Center in
Walled Lake.
“I think Bobby brings
a level of focus that some
of the other characters
struggle with.”
Gittleman has appeared
in numerous productions at
Bloomfield Hills High School
and was in The Addams
Family for the Birmingham
Village Youth Theater. In
high school, he appeared
in another production of A
Chorus Line taking on the
character of Butch.
“Bobby knows what he
wants and who he is,” said
Gittleman, who has been
working in an animal care
facility while he pursues the
elements of a stage career.
“He’s unashamed of himself
and his life. There have been
a lot of ups and downs in his
life, but he’s not shy about it.”
Gittleman, who has
attended Congregation Beth
Ahm, said he feels very
lucky to be working with
this production team. The
director and choreographer
ARTS&LIFE
THEATER
Performances are this weekend at the Berman in West Bloomfield.
SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Two Young Actors Join
A Chorus Line
PHOTOS BY BRIAN CRAIG
Toby
Gittleman
Kevin
Keller