A Chorus Line Original Cast

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 7:50pm

I read somewhere that originally Cassie did not make the cut into the chorus line, but later someone said that she needed to, so they changed it.

Does anybody know who made it originally instead of Cassie? I would assume it was Sheila.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 7:52pm

At the Public Theater version, Cassie didn't make the final cut. The powers that be thought it was too depressing to end the show (that really focused on her) that way.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 7:53pm

Yes, but who made the cut instead of her?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 7:54pm

They played around with different endings during rehearsals, but for the first week of previews at the Public, Kristine made the cut instead of Cassie. Marsha Mason, wife of Neil Simon, who was brought in to punch up some comedic lines, pleaded with Michael Bennett to let Cassie be chosen and the rest is history.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 7:54pm

I know it was either Sheila or Maggie, but I am sure it was Shelia. Yes, Hamlisch said something about it on the special features of the DVD.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 7:55pm

Trust me. It was definitely Kristine.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 7:55pm

Oh! Kristine. Weird...

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 7:56pm

Kristine? That would seem wierd for her to make it and not Al.

Do you know what the different endings the played around with were?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 7:57pm

Shelia and Bebe were never chosen, even during rehearsals.

It actually isn't wierd in context, because Renee Baughman, the original Kristine was absolutely one of the best dancers in the show.

I think they played around with the people chosen. Sometimes Al and Kristine would both make it - some times they would be split (Bennett thought this was the most realistic scenario).

The ending had to be more or less frozen once preview performances started though because the costume change is so quick, the order needs to be set for the dresser assignments and for the order of the "bows" during the finale. It didn't work to have different people chosen each night; it would completely through the choreography in "ONE"

Updated On: 8/22/06 at 07:57 PM

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 7:59pm

Well I have only seen the revival. But if you are going to be in the chorus don't you also have to sing?

[americanboy99]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 8:02pm

That's what I thought. I would think you'd need to sing. I guess I just assumed Sheila or Maggie because they sing in "At the Ballet" and Kristine's song is really just a whine. So, Bebe doesn't make it in the show? She did in the rotten movie. I seriously can't remember about the show. Will someone post all the names of those who make it??? Thanks!!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 8:03pm

Not necessarily. In the 60s and 70s, there was often a seperate singing chorus from the dancing chorus. That began to change in the 70s, but dancers were often cast without being great singers, sometimes to great protest. Bob Fosse, for example cast tone deaf Jennifer Narin-Smith in the chorus of PIPPIN with huge complaint from Stephen Schwartz. The scenario is recreated in the movie, ALL THAT JAZZ.

The only difference made for the film was that Bebe was chosen over Judy Turner; I assume because they gave Bebe that absurd stand out "Watch this - this is right" solo during the audition, and it wouldn't be believable that she wouldn't be cast after that.

The others are Val, Morales, Cassie and Judy. Richie, Mark, Bobby, and Mike.
Updated On: 8/22/06 at 08:03 PM

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 8:06pm

You beat me to it.

If Paul hadn't been injured, he would have obviously made the cut. I always thought he would have made it instead of Mark.

Can someone explain why Mark is chosen? I don't understand that choice. Updated On: 8/22/06 at 08:06 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 8:10pm

Rick Mason, the original Mark was a great dancer. Most of the people "picked" in the final script, reflect the skills and look of the original cast. Obviously, Zach would be picking the best dancers but also the people that looked right together.

[chip08ME]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 8:15pm

I read somewhere that Mark making the cut also reflected the fact that he was a fresh face, in a sense saying that you can come from Middletown, USA and still dance your way into the chorus of a Broadway show.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 8:16pm

Okay I see now. But that is a fault in the revival, because it does not make sense why Mark is chosen. It would make more sense for Maggie to be.

How would a sining chorus work? Would they stand onstage while the dancers would dance?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 8:21pm

Kay Cole was one of the shortest people on the line and one of the weakest dancers in the show. She was cast largely because of her voice.

Keep in mind that in the show, the dancers are supposed to be "talking." They only sing because its a musical. You aren't supposed to believe that Maggie is actually "singing" to Zach during AT THE BALLET, she is TELLING her story - to music.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 8:25pm

Michael Bennett, you never cease to amaze me Thank you for all of your interesting information and stories.

Since I am a hopeless romantic, I have always thought they had Zach pick Cassie "for old time sake"- not to mention the fact that she was/is very good- and as a way to get back together It's obvious in the movie version that is what heppened. Feel free to throw rotten tomatos at me

The fact that Sheila is not chosen shocks me and I always felt that Paul would have made it, too.

Updated On: 8/22/06 at 08:25 PM

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 8:29pm

Thank you for all that Michael Bennet.

In the 60s and 70s, there was often a seperate singing chorus from the dancing chorus.

How does a singing chorus work? Do they stand and sing while the dancing chorus dances?

[PARISinNYC]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 10:00pm

Michael Bennett are you some sort of genius? Or like literally Michael Bennet resurrected?

All you ever post are like precise details about the original production and it's always so interesting to read!

:]

*bows*

[ashley0139]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 10:49pm

I'm sure I will get creamed for this, but I never knew Sheila didn't make it, and that always seemed like an obvious choice for me. I've never been fortunate enough to see a production of the show (though I adore the cast recording) and couldn't even make it through the awful movie. That really shocks me.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 11:29pm

I liked the movie, then I saw the show. And Realized the movie is really awful.

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 11:43pm

Sorry to threadjack, but I'm really excited because I get to meet Donna McKechnie in 3 weeks. (thought this was a good place to brag) I hope she's truly a magnificent person.


*Carry on with the intellectual discussion*

[Mirth]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 11:52pm

Bare NL...details please!

Add me to the list of Michael Bennett fans.
Updated On: 8/22/06 at 11:52 PM

[flaemmchen]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 12:17am

I know that a lot of shows in the 60's and 70's had pit singers who sang in the orchestra pit to make a bigger sound. I don't know if they were necessarily on-stage as well.

Updated On: 8/23/06 at 12:17 AM