A Chorus Line 7/22/07 (Final show for half the cast)

[bjh2114]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 9:08pm

So I saw ACL today for the 8th time, and it was the final show for many of the castmembers. I did standing room because I didn't win lotto (it was PACKED, about 100 people probably). Everyone was on, except for Natalie Cortez who was still on vacation, but she was in the audience watching the last show of her fellow castmates.

Also in the audience was Tony Yazbeck cheering on the cast. Kevin Worley was GREAT as Al. His voice wasn't as powerful as Tony's but it was VERY pretty.

On for Diana was Jessica Lea Patty, WHO WAS AWESOME. She was amazing as Diana. This was the first time I saw her in the role. I thought she was a million times better than Michelle Arevana.

While many moments of the show were emotional (especially the end of At the Ballet and What I Did for Love), the cast gave it their all! Everything was very sharp today. Of the 8 times I've seen it, it was the 2nd best time (the best being opening night). The most emotional person tonight, however, was Michael Berresse. He an Tyler Hanes were standing in the back of the theatre practically sobbing the entire show. At one point Michael had to go sit on the stair to the mezz (At the Ballet) because he was crying. A very moving show with lots of tears, but many more laughs and cheers. Huge standing ovation during the final kickline of One reprise. Truly an amazing experience. I wish all of the departing cast the best.
-BJH

[LiTtLeDaNcEr729]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 9:12pm

Is Natalie ever in the show?

I saw it two weekends ago and she was out as well. I was hoping to be able to see her.

[SweetOscar]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 9:13pm

I was there too....I wrote a short critique here as well.

It was an emotional performance, very moving and wonderful.

[veryownplanetz]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 9:15pm

my friend won lotto for us and it was SUCH an emotional day but it was one I won't forget.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 9:25pm

I was there on Friday night because I wanted to see it before some of the cast left. I noticed that Heather Parcells was emotional during "What I Did for Love". This was the 2nd time I saw this cast, and although I liked it the first time, I thought it was a uniformly better show the 2nd time around. Every one seemed settled in their roles. I liked Kevin Worley a lot. It was nice having a great seat, as I was able to see the actors up close.

I agree about Jessica Lea Patty, what a voice on her!!

I'm really glad I saw it again, and most likely will see it with the new cast, too.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 9:57pm

Where were you standing? I had SRO as well.

[NJgirl]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 10:11pm

tried lotto for a friend..and we lost...but I had a ticket already and he got SRO. Such an emotional show. Some of the cast was choked up halfway thru the opening number. The entire cast was quite emotional. It was a really special show to be at. My heart went out to Michael Beresse and Tyler Hanes bc almost every time they left the stage they were in tears. At the Ballet was a tear fest as well. By the time they got to the Alternatives scene and "what I did for love", I dont think there was a dry eye on stage. I'm really glad I was there...and I'm glad they got the standing O as the lights were going down...

[bjh2114]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 11:23pm

Dancing, my friend and I were standing on the aisle of house left, directly to the left of Zach's chair.

LiTtLeDaNcEr729, Natalie isn't usually out that often, but she has been taking her vacation days recently. But when she is in, she is phenomenol!

[stepkickkickleapkick]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 11:30pm

Cortez is not on vacation. She is on a 3-4 week vocal rest ordered by her doctor. I am sure it killed her to not be performing up there with everyone this afternoon.

The cast and crew toasted champagne and ate cake on stage after the performance. Then headed over to a local restaurant for food and fun.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 11:35pm

Ah, I was told that her absences were planned and weren't just from her calling out sick the day of the show. I just assumed that "planned absences" meant vacation, but vocal rest makes sense too. I hope she gets better, her voice was sounding especially raspy the last time I saw her.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 11:37pm

I saw it July 1st and Natalie was out.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 11:37pm

Yeah, I felt bad for Natalie, but Jessica is a wonderul Diana.

Great show all around. Highly emotional. I was in SRO.. crying.

Keeping Charlotte was a huge mistake. She is the weakest link in the company and frankly, an embarassment. Front row or SRO.. you can't understand a word she sings.. Just horrendous.

Bravo to the departing cast for a great run...

I do look forward to the newbies though.. especially Nick Adams, Jason Sands, and Michael Gruber.

I think Grant Turner should take over Don, but just my opinion.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 11:43pm

I agree about Charlotte. She is the only thing bringing that show down. I wish they would just replace her already. So glad Jessica was on as Diana today and not Michelle. I wish miss all of the departing castmembers, but especially Whitehead, Paternostro, and Mara Davi for sure (not to mention Tam when he leaves on the 12th of August. Guess I will be going back again then.)

Broadwayguy, do you know if any swings were leaving after today as well?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 11:46pm

Not sure if any of the swings were leaving other than the pre-existing inserts we had.. I didn't ask.

Mara Davi and Tyler Hanes are two people that the show will sorely miss, I must say.

Charlotte should have been fired. Hell, bring in Michelle Kittrell.. just get Charlotte out. Music and the Mirror is painful to listen to AND watch.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 11:48pm

Seriously. Anyone has to be better than Charlotte.

I assume Pamela Jordan left since Lorin is back as Vicki again.

Unfortunately, I don't love Tyler as much as many people do. I will miss him, but not as much as many others.

[munkustrap926]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 12:19am

Maybe I missed it, but is there any confirmation on whether or not there will be a matinee Cassie?

And I wish the best of luck to everyone who left today

[mattonstage]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 1:18am

I worked the mezzanine bar today, so I watched selected scenes. I was downstairs in the lounge during "At the Ballet" but unfortunately I could still hear Deidre Goodwin trying to sing, but Mara really gave it her all and was wonderful. Having seen the show a couple of times over the past two weeks, I've grown to love the cast more than the first time I saw it. And it seems they were up to speed today. The first couple of times, it seemed like the tempos were slowed down from what I usually hear. "Hello Twelve..." is still my favorite number in the show, my favorite choreography. It's so great to see everyone let loose. I agree with everyone on Charlotte's voice, which is too bad, because I think she's my favorite Roxie from "Chicago". And normally I hate the characters of Judy and Kristine, but Heather and Chryssie are just to cute and funny for words. Still not crazy about the character of Don. Not the actors fault, just don't like the character. And I may be in love with Jason Tam.
Side note: When I'm setting up the bar, I get to watch all the dancers doing their warm-ups, and Mara was practicing a rope trick, for "Drowsy.." I guess.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 8:21am

Has anyone gotten any confirmation on d'Amboise going to a six show a week schedule with the cast change?

The latest rumor was that Jessica Lea Patty and Nadine Isenegger would each be getting one show a week as Cassie.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 9:52am

Charlotte was telling everyone who asked outside after that she will be taking off Thursday and Sunday. So, now we know which shows TO go to.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 10:19am

(not to mention Tam when he leaves on the 12th of August. Guess I will be going back again then.)


I was under the impression that he left yesterday with everyone else?

[folkyboy]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 10:25am

broadwayguy2, you're terrible. i love it!

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 10:28am

folky, it isn't *I* that is the terrible one!

*cautiously points at the badly aging dancer in the red leotard who can't find a pitch, form her words, or dance her solo*

[bjh2114]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 11:29am

^ Amen to that.

No dancingthroughlife, I am 99% sure Tam is staying 3 more weeks to compensate for the weeks he took off to fil the new season of Beyond the Break.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 11:37am

Ten new cast members will join the Broadway company of A Chorus Line on July 24, according to producer John Breglio. The hit revival is playing at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater, under the direction of its original Tony-winning co-choreographer, Bob Avian.

The newcomers are Nick Adams (The Pirate Queen) as Larry, Michael Gruber (Swing! Kiss Me, Kate) as Greg, Bryan Knowlton as Paul, Melissa Lone (Mary Poppins) as Maggie, J. Elaine Marcos (The Wedding Singer, Sweet Charity) as Connie, Krysta Rodriguez (Spring Awakening, Good Vibrations) as Bebe, Jason Patrick Sands (Legally Blonde, The Producers) as Don, Will Taylor (La Cage aux Folles, 42nd Street) as Bobby, Katherine Tokarz as Kristine and Kevin Worley (42nd Street), who began performances on July 3, as Al. (

Everyone kept asking him what he was doing next, so I was givent he impression that he was done.

Broadway.com article

[Kev]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 12:17pm

The latest rumor was that Jessica Lea Patty and Nadine Isenegger would each be getting one show a week as Cassie.

Is Jessica Lee Patty now a Cassie cover, or is she being promoted to that track? My playbill from Saturday only lists Nadine, and Jessica Goldyn (who I'd LOVE to see dance Cassie.)