“At the Ballet Lyrics” stands as one of musical theater’s most emotionally powerful songs, serving as a cornerstone of the groundbreaking Broadway production A Chorus Line. This comprehensive guide explores the song’s creation, meaning, and lasting impact on theater and popular culture.
Key Facts About “At the Ballet”
- Musical: A Chorus Line (1975)
- Composer: Marvin Hamlisch
- Lyricist: Edward Kleban
- Original Performers: Performed by characters Sheila, Bebe, and Maggie
- Runtime: Approximately 6 minutes
- Awards: Part of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical
Enjoy the lyrics and feel free to sing along!
At the ballet Lyrics in English:
At the Ballet
[SHEILA]
Daddy always thought that he married beneath him.
That’s what he said, that’s what he said.
When he proposed he informed my mother
He was probably her very last chance.
And though she was twenty-two,
Though she was twenty-two,
Though she was twenty-two,
She married him.
Life with my dad wasn’t ever a picnic,
More like a “Come as you are.”
When I was five I remember my mother
Dug earrings out of the car.
I knew they weren’t hers, but it wasn’t
Something you’d want to discuss.
He wasn’t warm.
Well, not to her.
Well, not to us.
But—
Everything was beautiful at the ballet.
Graceful men lift lovely girls in white.
Yes, everything was beautiful at ballet.
Hey! I was happy… at the ballet.
That’s why I started class…
Up a steep and very narrow stairway.
[SHEILA & BEBE]
To the voice like a metronome.
Up a steep and very narrow stairway.
[SHEILA]
It wasn’t paradise…
[BEBE]
It wasn’t paradise…
[SHEILA & BEBE]
It wasn’t paradise…
[SHEILA]
But it was home.
[BEBE]
Mother always said I’d be very attractive
When I grew up, when I grew up.
“Diff’rent,” she said, “With a special something
And a very, very personal flair.”
And though I was eight or nine,
Though I was eight or nine,
Though I was eight or nine,
I hated her.
Now, “Diff’rent” is nice, but it sure isn’t pretty.
“Pretty” is what it’s about.
I never met anyone who was “diff’rent”
Who couldn’t figure that out.
So beautiful I’d never lived to see.
But it was clear,
If not to her,
Well, then… to me…
That—
[MAGGIE & BEBE]
Everyone is beautiful at the ballet.
Every prince has got to have his swan.
Yes, everyone is beautiful at the ballet.
[MAGGIE]
Hey!…
[BEBE]
I was pretty…
[SHEILA]
At the ballet.
[MAGGIE, SHEILA & BEBE]
Up a steep and very narrow stairway
To the voice like a metronome.
Up a steep and very narrow stairway.
[MAGGIE]
It wasn’t paradise…
[BEBE]
It wasn’t paradise…
[SHEILA]
It wasn’t paradise…
[ALL]
But it was home.
[MAGGIE] (Spoken)
I don’t know what they were for or against, really,
Except each other.
I mean, I was born to save their marriage,
But when my father came to pick my mother up
At the hospital,
He said, “Well, I thought this was going to help.
But I guess it’s not…”
Anyway, I did have a fantastic fantasy life.
I used to dance around the living room
With my arms up like this.
My fantasy was that I was an Indian Chief…
And he’d say to me,
“Maggie, do you wanna dance?”
And I’d say, “Daddy, I would love to dance!”
[ALL]
Everything was beautiful at the ballet,
Raise your arms and someone’s always there.
Yes, everything was beautiful at the ballet,
At the ballet,
At the ballet!!!
[MAGGIE]
HEY!…
[BEBE]
I was pretty…
[SHEILA]
I was happy…
[MAGGIE]
“I would love to…”
[ALL]
At… the… ballet.
The Creative Process
According to composer Marvin Hamlisch, “At the Ballet” was a pivotal creation that established the emotional foundation for the entire musical. Once this song was completed, the creative team gained clarity about “the shape and color of the piece as a whole.”
The emotional depth and structural approach of this song influenced how the rest of the musical would unfold. By blending personal narrative with musical expression, “At the Ballet” set a template that would help make A Chorus Line a revolutionary production.
Thematic Analysis
Finding Sanctuary Through Art
At its core, “At the Ballet” explores how art provides sanctuary from difficult lives. The three dancers share their stories of family dysfunction and personal struggle, revealing how ballet offered them beauty, structure, and acceptance when these qualities were absent elsewhere.
The Universality of Seeking Belonging
While specific to the world of dance, the song speaks to anyone who has ever found refuge in a passion or creative pursuit. The characters’ emotional journeys reflect the universal human experience of seeking spaces where we feel valued and understood.
Musical Structure and Composition
Hamlisch’s composition brilliantly supports the narrative through its structure:
- Individual Voices: Each character begins with solo sections, establishing their unique stories
- Gradual Harmony: As the song progresses, their voices begin to intertwine
- Unified Conclusion: Eventually building to a powerful harmonic resolution
This structure mirrors the thematic content—separate lives finding harmony and beauty together in the shared experience of ballet.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Critical Reception
Theater critics have consistently praised “At the Ballet” as one of the most poignant and emotionally resonant numbers in A Chorus Line. Its authentic portrayal of finding solace through art continues to move audiences decades after its debut.
Notable Performances and Covers
The song’s emotional power has inspired multiple interpretations:
- Featured in the 2006 documentary Every Little Step
- Performed on the television show Glee by Naya Rivera, Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, and Sarah Jessica Parker
- Recorded by Barbra Streisand with Anne Hathaway and Daisy Ridley for her 2016 album “Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway”
Why “At the Ballet” Endures
Nearly five decades after its premiere, “At the Ballet” remains relevant because it authentically captures the transformative power of art. For these characters—and for countless audience members—artistic expression isn’t merely an activity but a lifeline that provides meaning, structure, and belonging.
The song’s emotional honesty about family relationships, personal insecurities, and finding one’s place in the world continues to resonate with new generations of theatergoers and music lovers.
Additional Information about At the Ballet Lyrics
The Power of “At the Ballet lyrics”: A Timeless Musical Moment
“At the Ballet” stands as one of the most emotionally resonant songs from the groundbreaking Broadway musical A Chorus Line. Created by composer Marvin Hamlisch with lyrics by Edward Kleban, this piece debuted in 1975 and quickly became a cornerstone of musical theater history.
The Creative Foundation
What many theater enthusiasts might not realize is how pivotal this particular song was to the overall development of A Chorus Line. According to Hamlisch himself, “At the Ballet” established the emotional template and musical direction for the entire production. Once this song took shape, the creative team gained clarity about the “shape and color” of the show as a complete artistic work.
Emotional Storytelling
The song introduces audiences to three dancers—Sheila, Bebe, and Maggie—who share their personal journeys with dance training and difficult family dynamics. Each character reveals how, despite challenging home lives and personal struggles, they found solace, beauty, and acceptance within the structured world of ballet.
The emotional core of the song centers on this powerful idea: regardless of how chaotic or disappointing their lives might be elsewhere, these women discovered something transcendent and healing when they stepped into the dance studio. Ballet represented not just an artistic pursuit but a sanctuary.
Musical Structure
From a composition standpoint, “At the Ballet lyrics” demonstrates remarkable craftsmanship. The song begins with individual vocalists sharing their stories through the same wistful melody. As their narratives unfold, their voices gradually layer together, building into rich harmonies that mirror the way their individual experiences, though different, share common emotional threads.
This structure brilliantly reinforces the thematic content—separate lives converging in the shared space of ballet, finding harmony and beauty together that might be unattainable alone.
Cultural Impact
Critics have consistently described “At the Ballet” as poignant and emotionally affecting. Its enduring appeal speaks to how effectively it captures universal feelings of seeking belonging and escape through art.
The song’s influence extends beyond the stage, having been interpreted by various performers over the decades. Notable covers include a rendition by the cast of television’s Glee (featuring Naya Rivera, Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, and Sarah Jessica Parker) and a recording by Barbra Streisand for her 2016 album “Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway,” where she collaborated with Anne Hathaway and Daisy Ridley.
Why It Resonates
What makes “At the Ballet” continually relevant is its authentic portrayal of how art can transform lives. For these characters, ballet wasn’t merely physical movement or technical skill—it represented everything their troubled home lives couldn’t provide: beauty, order, and unconditional acceptance.
This sentiment resonates with anyone who has ever found refuge in creative expression, whether through dance, music, writing, or visual arts. The song captures that universal experience of finding one’s true home within an artistic practice, making it a timeless exploration of how art can heal and elevate the human spirit.
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FAQs About At the Ballet Lyrics
Who wrote the lyrics of “At the Ballet”?
A: The lyrics of “At the Ballet” were written by Edward Kleban
What album is “At the Ballet Lyrics” from?
A: “At the Ballet Lyrics” is from the album A Chorus Line (1975)
Who composed the music for “At the Ballet Lyrics”?
A: The music for “At the Ballet Lyrics” was composed by Marvin Hamlisch
Who performed “At the Ballet Lyrics”?
A: “At the Ballet Lyrics” is performed by characters Sheila, Bebe, and Maggie
When was the “At the Ballet Lyrics” Released?
A: The Song is Released on A Chorus Line (1975)
What this post Contain?
A.This Post Contains At the Ballet Lyrics
Conclusion
“At the Ballet Lyrics” transcends its role as simply a song within a musical to become a cultural touchstone that speaks to the healing power of artistic expression. Its legacy is secure not just in Broadway history but in how it articulates the profound human need to find spaces where we can truly be ourselves.
