Gabrielle McClinton was on as the Leading Player during the Saturday evening performance on 10/12. I was majorly disappointed, because seeing Patina Miller in the role was a major hope for my trip to New York. I won't say McClinton was bad, but she just doesn't compare to Miller. She didn't have the same presence and her vocals were a notch below Miller's. But the biggest difference was in the dancing. From seeing Miller perform bits of Glory and On the Right Track on TV, it's clear she has a fluidity and litheness in her movements that McClinton doesn't have. It felt like McClinton was trying to do the movements, but they never flowed and felt stiff. During the Manson Trio, she was completely overshadowed by one of the other dancers (I believe it was Anthony Wayne).
Having said that, I still loved the production. I just felt it would have been even better if the Leading Player had been better.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
FYI, McClinton is scheduled to play The Leading Player during Patina's vacation all this week.
also, four new acrobats have joined the cast. Richard Maguire & Florian Zumkehr replace Arsenal & Rosenberg in the "With You Hand Balancing" tracks. Kenneth Lindeman replaces Yannick Thomas in the "Bolero" track and Kelsey Jamieson returns to the cast, replacing Lolita Costet(Jamieson also did the same track when Costet was injured). Viktoria Grimmy & Olga Karmansky remain in the show as the only original acrobats.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
Really surprised to see the large turnover among the acrobats. Figured they'd stay with the show a lot longer. Where else other than perhaps CdS would they be able to find a steady gig this high profile? Glad Viktoria Grimmy is still with the show. Not sure there are many who can do what she does with a Hula Hoop or look as good doing it.
Rosenberg, Thomas, Costet, and Arsenal have started their own circus project or we're trying to, at least. They had a kick starter project this summer.
I know 7 Fingers has many shows still. I'm sure Gypsy Snider could find roles for them again.
My guess would be next Tuesday. When performers take a week off, as a general rule they take the Tuesday to Sunday week off so they can leave for vacation after Sunday's matinee and not have to be back until the following week's Tuesday evening performance rather than leave after a Saturday and have to be back the next Sunday morning. You can always check with the box office or Ticketmaster to be sure.
I just hope that Orion Griffiths is able to recover from his injuries and return to work. Best wishes to him.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
I really feel that Molly Tynes & McClinton should have split performances this week as Leading Player while Miller is on vacation. such a shame Tynes hasn't gone on yet as LP.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
I fear that with the exception of the Macy's performance Molly Tynes is the LP understudy in name only. It seems the producers want an African American LP, considering McClinton just joined the cast and should theoretically be lower on the totem poll understudy wise.
"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel
Has anyone seen the show recently? I know Mike Schwitter had his first performance as pippin this weekend. Curious to hear how he was. Kyle is on vacation until the 21st I believe.
Updated On: 10/14/14 at 11:32 AM
Not Broadway, but still of interest: Lisa Karlin went on as the LP in the tour on Sunday - the first white woman to play the role in either the original or revival productions.
According to BroadwayUnderstudies; Sam Lips will be on as Pippin this Thursday & Sat. matinee. Schwitter will be on as Pippin this Friday, Sat. evening & Sunday.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
Hoping this show up again on TDF for next week..would like to see Kyle before he leaves...FYI he's on vacation until the 21st and his last show is the 29th I believe
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
I just assumed it was Nov. 2 as Josh Kaufman starts Nov. 4. I guess either Schwitter or Sam Lips will be Pippin from Oct. 30 - Nov. 2.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
Saw the show last night with Schwitter as Pippin. I thought he was great. I love his crisp vocals, and his portrayal was very playful. Nothing about his performance that didn't say lead. And he bears more than a passing resemblance to KDM.
Was pleased at Lucie Arnaz's performance. She played Berthe as mature and smart, with a slight comedic edge. Lots of fun with the audience.
Got to stay for the talkback with Stephen Schwartz, which was wonderful. He's one of the greats and he shared some production trivia with us.