A CHORUS LINE revival....intermission??

[morosco]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 5:24pm

I would hope that this is simply a matter of wrong information being posted on the website for the San Francisco engagement of A CHORUS LINE:

"Running time:
Approximately 2 hours, 15 minutes (including intermission)."



A CHORUS LINE at The Curran Theatre

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 5:35pm

It seems that an intermission just stops the show and interrupts it more than provides a break.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 5:37pm

Bleh. I hope they're just doing this for try-out purposes and losing the intermission before they get to New York, instead of f*cking up the flow of the show just to accomidate spoiled people.

[morosco]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 5:41pm

I think it's just a typo.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 5:54pm

I'm 99.9% sure that's a mistake from the marketing people. Knowing Breglio and Avian and how slavishly protective of every original detail they are, they would NEVER make a change as huge as inserting an intermission into the show.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 6:17pm

Didn't some of the touring companies under Bennett's supervision insert an intermission? I, of course, am not in favor of it, but it doesn't seem completely out of the question. Whatever the case, I'm sure the show in NYC will be performed without a break.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 6:31pm

I think it's a typo or misinformation. I highly doubt there will be an intermission.

[wishinguweresomehow]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 6:46pm

As much as I would think they would stick to the original flow of the show...i have seen it done regionally more times than I can count with an intermission. Not the best idea...but whatevs.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 6:51pm

Yes, Bennett, some productions did include an intermission, I believe around The Music and the Mirror.

[DrTheatre]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 6:56pm

I worked on a production of ACL a few years ago and there was in intermission. I think some things got juggled around,(don't know was the first time I saw the show) but the second act opened with "Nothing" or "The Music and The Mirror", because I rememebr "Music and the Mirror" was a very long dance # so it made up some more time. It worked very well...

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 7:00pm

Give up a chance to make money on booze and noisy candy packaging? Nowadays, never, unless the show is a relatively much shorter than 2 hour running time.

Updated On: 7/16/06 at 07:00 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 7:01pm

I know I have seen professional productions with an intermission - inserted right after the final "Go to it" following GIMME THE BALL. Second Act opened with NOTHING.

There doesn't seem to be any reason for the SF run to have an intermission unless they are contractually obligated because of concessions or some nonesense.

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 7:02pm

Drowsy doesn't have an intermission, but candy, booze, and other drinks are allowed in that beautiful theatre. Crazy.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 8:05pm

I hope this is NOT true. I saw a production a few seasons ago in San Jose that had a very long intermission and it ruined the flow of the show. I was not the only one who complained but the answer I was given was that they needed to be able to sell drinks!!!!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 9:47pm

2 hours and 15mins? I would hope there would be one. I don't think anyone can sit that long without having to pee or something. I love having an intermission.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 9:48pm

What do you do when you go to the movies?

ACL usually runs a little under two hours without an intermission.

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 9:52pm

Intermissions are sometimes necessary, but everything in A Chorus Line was designed the way it was for a reason, Michael Bennett decided that an intermission would be destructive to the pace and mood of the show. I believe especially since the show is not a book musical with an action building up to a typical Act I finale, an intermission is not only unnecessary but hurtful to the piece.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 9:52pm

Somehow millions of people during the original 15 year Broadway run as well as the dozens of US and international tours managed to not only survive, but be moved and thrilled and enthralled by the show in its original two hour intermissionless form. Have audiences changed so much in the 16 years since the original closed on Broadway?

Updated On: 7/16/06 at 09:52 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 9:58pm

Well, 16 years ago would they have allowed soda, candy and ice cream into a Broadway house? Probably not, but once upon a time you didn't wear jeans, shorts or open toed shoes to the theatre either. The culture of Broadway, sadly, is changing, and structuring shows around the sale of concessions feels about right in this day and age...

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 9:59pm

If you can't make it 2 hours without a potty break and a snack, you should be attending preschool, not Broadway shows.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 10:00pm

And 16 years ago people could concentrate on something for more than ten minutes at a time. These days, they have to have special effects, breaks, popcorn, etc. It's pretty sad.

[Kicks8567]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 10:06pm

According to Telecharge, the show will run two hours without an intermission (once it hits Broadway at least).

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 10:09pm

Just an observation. I saw so many people getting up when I saw Brooklyn (which has basically the same running time) and I just thought it was so annoying to have to keep moving and shifting so people could get in and out of the rows. I actually had to get up and walk around outside when I saw Lord of the Rings - the third one. But seeing a show is different to me than seeing a movie. It's more draining or something, I felt restless after sitting in the theater for 90mins, granted it wasn't the best of shows. And yes, times have changed.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 10:31pm

Why can't you sit still in a theatre until the show is over? I don't get it. Go to the bathroom before the show starts. Young people shouldn't need so many bathroom breaks. Learn to concentrate on the show and you won't get restless. It's good for the soul.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/16/06 at 10:35pm

Whether or not you need an intermission doesn't mean the people around you don't need one. I go to the bathroom a lot! I'm sure you wall wanted to know that, but no matter what I'm seeing, I use the restroom quite often. Whether it's a movie or a play,etc. It's not really young people - people are so quick to blame the youth - the majority of people I saw getting up were older gentlemen in their 50s,60s. I know this show isn't set up to have an intermission which is fine, but I prefer having an intermission, it feels more like a night out at the theater too because you can talk about the show, etc.