A CHORUS LINE Questions

So I finally saw A CHORUS LINE this past weekend as it came through Buffalo. I thought the show was truly amazing, and actually went back to see it for a second time Sunday night for its closing performance. There was also something very special about seeing it in Michael Bennett's hometown. In fact they made an announcement prior to each show dedicated the performance to the city. It was touching.

I thought the entire cast was very strong... but for me my favorites were Bryan Knowlton (Paul..totally made me cry), Derek Hanson (Don), Brandon Tyler (Larry..AMAZING dancer), and Robyn Hurder (Cassie). The CD is now playing constantly in my car, and I either have "Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen.." or "T & A" in my head. After seeing the show twice, I did have a few questions I thought some fellow BWW fans might know...

1. What do the dancers who don't make the first cut do for the rest of the show after the opening number? Just sit around in case someone else gets hurt/sick? Do they sing off stage? Obviously they also understudy the main roles.

2. I was at first surprised that there was not one single black person in the show. But I was wrong. Anthony Wayne (Richie) was out, and his understudy was played by Venny Carranza. I think Richie's solo part in "Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen" would have made more sense to me if Wayne was in.. if that makes sense.

3. What part did Mario Lopez play on Broadway? After seeing this show, I think Bennett would have been livid that they resorted to stunt casting. That drives a knife into the heart of what this musical is all about.

4. I wish the audience would have given a standing ovation during the end of "One: Reprise." Maybe they were waiting for an 'official' curtain call or something. Instead, they just applauded during the final kickline. Is that how audiences usually react? The final chorus in "One: Reprise" gave me chills.

5. Why do you think this groundbreaking show ran for a record breaking 15 years on Broadway, yet the revivial didn't even last two? Have Broadway audiences changed that much that they need more big sets, lavish costumes and flying monkeys to appreciate a night in the theatre?

Finally.. "What I Did For Love" has to be one of the most beautiful songs ever written for Broadway. Period.

Mario played Zach on Broadway.

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1. They basically sit offstage. During the run of the original, they would only replace a member of the line if they left prior to "At the Ballet." From that point on, if something happened, the role was cut, and any vocal parts needed were assumed by other cast members. In the revival, they replaced as needed. A lot of the Cassie u/s will dance the part elsewhere on a nightly basis to keep their stamina up.

2. I never found Richie's part that confusing. I assume they changed the line about him being black though.

3. Lopez was Zach. His acting wasn't that bad, but his dancing was.

4. A standing ovation would totally go against the sickening irony of the finale. You've spent a little over two hours getting to know these characters, only to have them become faceless ensemble members backing up the leading lady. Most audiences I've seen applaud during the "bows" section, and then during the final kick line. Sometimes when the set revolves to the art deco, it gets applause.

5. It feels dated. And, most of the time, long running hits don't come back and run for long. Just the nature of the beast. And, considering 95% of all productions use the Bennett staging, there wasn't anything to keep audiences coming.

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I don't think the show is dated at all. It isn't like Rent where it deals with issues that weren't to forbidden in society to this day. A Chorus Line's plot is still very relevant and will be as long as their are dancers and people trying to make it.

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Oops.. as far as the show lating only two years during the revival, yes, it's true. Replicating the Bennett staging doesn't give the show a new draw, but, as I have said before, for me the problem lies in Baayork Lee. She is very good at staging the show like a dance captain. It's like the show is run by a drill sargeant. She doesn't delve much into the heart and the 'why are you doing this?'

Wow. All very interesting stuff. Thanks everyone. I really want to read the 'tell all' book that came out about 20 years ago.

I can't picture Lopez as Zach. He just doesn't seem domineering enough to pull it off. I guess I also picture someone with a more authoritative, deeper voice. How was Adams as Larry?

broadwayguy2... During one of the performaces, when all the dancers are standing upstage with their backs to the audience, I did notice one dancer leave the stage briefly, and walk back on about a minute or two later. So are you saying an understudy might have replaced him?

I think I also had a much greater appreciation for this masterpiece after watching that clip of the OBC on Donahue. What an amazing group of people. Kay Cole's performance in "At The Ballet" was especially moving.

Zamedy, who was your Zach?

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I was very dissappointed with the revival. It left me a little empty.

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"Lopez played Zach as a drill sargeant.. when he was paying attention to the show, that is."

He generally read from the script in the back of the house...and generally left when he was not in a scene. He left poor Paul sobbing on stage for five minutes after his monologue because he was in the lobby of the theater on his cell phone.

The show is extremely dated...from its pop-culture references to its wardrobe. Personally, I don't find anything spectacular about Michael Bennett's choreography. It seems more or less serviceable...and nothing to write home about.

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Updated On: 5/13/09 at 11:19 AM

I thought all productions of ACL were required to use Bennett's choreography.

Also, it's not nice to call someone a liar.

The tone of this post is Inquisitive. Filtered by Tone-A-Tron^TM

Updated On: 5/13/09 at 11:35 AM

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Updated On: 5/13/09 at 11:59 AM

Well, part of what Fosse76 says is true, I'd heard stories of Lopez disappearing when he wasn't actively involved, and I noticed him pacing back and forth alot when I saw the show last July.

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