A Chorus Line 6/25 matinee - quick thoughts

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 6/27/08 at 12:26pm

Understudies:
Todd Anderson - Mike
Michelle Aravena - Bebe
E. Clayton Cornelius - Richie
Joey Dudding - Bobby

I had no intention of going back to see the show before closing unless I knew Mario Lopez was out. Unfortunately things don't always work how you want them to. He hasn't improved any.

I really didn't like Todd Anderson as Mike. He lacked any kind of spark or energy, and I didn't find him particularly funny. He did weird things with the choreography for "I Can Do That," and it just looked kind of strange. His voice also isn't that strong. I don't want to sound like I'm trashing him because he's definitely talented, but he seems miscast as Mike.

Michelle Aravena was actually really good as Bebe. I've seen her as Diana as well, and I thought she was definitely more suited to Bebe. She nailed the funny parts, and her voice is well suited to Bebe's music.

I saw E. Clayton Cornelius as Richie some time ago and didn't really like him. I take back anything bad I might have said about his performance. He was fantastic. He's got a very good voice and a lot of energy. During "Gimme the Ball" he did backflips across the stage, which is definitely something new. He also added a lot of little vocal gymnastics to the song, and it worked really well.

Joey Dudding was a standout as Bobby. I haven't got even the slightest complaint about him.

He wasn't an understudy, but this was my first time seeing Mike Cannon as Al (or as anyone, for that matter). He was great as well. It was nice to see a very different take on Al (I always found some similarity between Kevin Worley and Tony Yazbeck). His Al comes across a lot younger and he didn't have that "Bronx accent" that the other guys seemed to. Very good, overall.


Wow, I'll shut up now. I had (for the most part) a good time.

Oh, and "props" to the woman next to me who talked in full voice through most of the show, and when I finally turned around and told her to shush, started humming along. We all needed that laugh.

Updated On: 6/27/08 at 12:26 PM

[burnsy]

Posted: 6/27/08 at 12:37pm

I love Mike Cannon. I saw he went on as Mark & Mike. One of my favorite persons in ACL.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 6/27/08 at 12:38pm

Oh, I lied. I did see him go on as Mark. I liked his Al better.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/27/08 at 5:18pm

Thanks for the review!!

[burnsy]

Posted: 6/27/08 at 5:44pm

I guess we'll all be at the final performance on 8/17!

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/27/08 at 6:20pm

i'll be there.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 2:00am

Yep, me too.

[broadwayrob]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 2:49am

as will i

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 9:47am

Glad you enjoyed the show!

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 11:05am

The second time I saw A Chorus Line, I saw E. Clayton Cornelius. I didn't like his performance, but I also don't remember him doing backflips. Perhaps he has changed since then! Glad you had a good time.