Since making his Broadway debut as Baby John in West Side Story, Ryan Steele has been featured in many of the most acclaimed Broadway ensembles of the last decade, including Carousel, Matilda The Musical and Newsies. However, playing the role of Larry in this City Center presentation is his first time performing this iconic story about his craft and livelihood.

“A Chorus Line has always been a bucket list show for me,” reveals Steele. “I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for it. It’s impossible to live this crazy life we, as dancers, live and not get moved by this story.”

Max Clayton has performed in five different Broadway musicals in the last four years, including a memorable turn as Tom in the original company of Bandstand. However, he credits A Chorus Line to encouraging him to make his dream of performing on Broadway a reality. “I have always been the biggest fan of A Chorus Line,” he says. “But when I saw the Broadway revival in 2006, which was a moment I saw myself pursuing acting.”

Both Clayton and Steele wanted to be a part of this City Center production, in part, to learn the material from Baayork Lee and Bob Avian. “I wanted it as soon as I saw that Baayork Lee and Bob Avian were setting it,” says Steele. Clayton agrees, “There is something extremely special about getting to learn this particular show from its originators.”

While it is each of their first forays into A Chorus Line, the production features many of the actors’ former co-stars. A Chorus Line reunites Clayton with previous cast mates, from Melanie Moore of the recently-closed Hello, Dolly! to Robyn Hurder of the world premiere of Moulin Rouge. For Steele, the production is a chance to reunite with Ahmad Simmons from Carousel, Tommy Bracco from Newsies and Sara Esty, with whom he danced for a year on the first national tour of An American In Paris.