Broadway legend Kelly Bishop, best known as Emily Gilmore on Gilmore Girls, received an extra special treat on the 50th anniversary of A Chorus Line. On Sunday, July 27, Bishop reunited with her on-screen daughter, Lauren Graham, at the Shubert Theatre in New York City, where the musical first opened in 1975.
The event marked half a century of the iconic Broadway show that changed musical theater.
A Special Night for Kelly Bishop
Bishop, who originally played Sheila Bryant in A Chorus Line, was front and center at the celebration. The evening was filled with tributes and performances honoring the show’s historic legacy. Bishop’s Gilmore Girls co-star, Lauren Graham, was also involved, performing and supporting Bishop during the special event.
Graham took to Instagram on July 29 to share her excitement, saying, “It was beyond thrilling to get to introduce Ms. Kelly Bishop at the 50th Anniversary of A Chorus Line at the @shubertorg theater Sunday night.
The performances were incredible, magical, inspiring! Also, this photo of us is wack because in real life Kelly is about 1/16 my size. xL.”
A Chorus Line’s Historic Legacy
A Chorus Line* made its debut at The Public Theater before transferring to Broadway in 1975, quickly becoming a sensation. The original production ran for an impressive 6,137 performances over 15 years, making it the longest-running Broadway show at the time.
The musical won nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and even the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Its influence continued with a 1985 film adaptation and a 2006 Broadway revival, ensuring A Chorus Line remained a landmark of American theater.
Kelly Bishop’s Legacy Beyond A Chorus Line
Following her groundbreaking work in A Chorus Line, Kelly Bishop continued to make her mark in both television and film. She played Jennifer Grey’s mother in Dirty Dancing (1987) before landing the iconic role of Emily Gilmore in Gilmore Girls (2000-2007), and its 2016 Netflix reboot Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.
In a 2024 interview with PEOPLE, Bishop reflected on how the death of her on-screen husband, played by Edward Herrmann, affected her character’s storyline.
“Because Ed died, it changed my whole story. I think if he was with it, and had been during that reboot, we probably would’ve just been keeping on with some variation of the life that we’ve had,” she shared.
Bishop also reflected on her real-life connection with Herrmann, revealing how they met years before Gilmore Girls began shooting. Both actors won Tony Awards on the same night in 1976—Bishop for her role in A Chorus Line and Herrmann for his role in Mrs. Warren’s Profession.
“It’s all kind of serendipity,” Bishop said, reminiscing about their careers and their eventual on-screen partnership.
Kelly Bishop’s involvement in A Chorus Line and her continued success in TV and film, especially as Emily Gilmore, has made her a beloved figure in entertainment. The 50th anniversary celebration of A Chorus Line was a reminder of how far she’s come since her Broadway days, with Lauren Graham by her side showing continued support.
Their bond, both on and off-screen, continues to inspire fans, and the legacy of A Chorus Line will forever hold a special place in theater history.
