A Chorus Line - changes for Mario?

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 4/15/08 at 9:12pm

So I'm watching the vlog Suck It Up and Dance on AfterElton.com, and they interview Mario Lopez in the second half (includes rehearsal dance footage). Anyway, he says that they've changed some of the show so that he dances more in the beginning and does more of his talking onstage.

I guess we'll have to wait until people get home tonight to let us know if that's a fact or not!
Suck It Up & Dance! vlog (Episode 2): Gay James, "sexy bossy", and Mario Lopez

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 4/15/08 at 9:18pm

Wow. That's all I'll say.

Updated On: 4/15/08 at 09:18 PM

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 4/15/08 at 9:35pm

From what I've been told they have made enough changes (one very major) that they can no longer call it a "faithful re-creation" and "true to Bennett's vision"

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 4/15/08 at 9:38pm

I think that's pretty sad.


husk - What was the major change?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/15/08 at 9:39pm

I'm kind of curious as to what changes were made. That being said, you have to wonder if the changes were made at the insistence by Mario himself or his agents.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/15/08 at 11:29pm

He looks wonderful.

Michael would have LOVED it!

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 11:49am

Mario's costume has been changed to show off his biceps. Nick Adam's has been changed for the 2nd part of the show to hide his. Zach dances the 1st opening combination (which is a re-instatement), and now Zach is onstage with Cassie just before her dance (which is new re-staging). That's all I noticed. Might be more.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 11:52am

Doesn't sound like anything that would have Michael rolling in his grave.

I maintain that the Michael I knew would have LOVED this casting.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 11:53am

I'm just curious for actual reviews of his performance to come out.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 12:00pm

He seems perfectly fine. Too soon to tell. Give the guy a couple weeks to settle in.

[NYCtheater]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 12:02pm

There is supposed to be a story on "Extra" today about his first night in the show.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 12:06pm

^^ What channel/time is that?

[NYCtheater]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 12:31pm

"Extra" is a syndicated show, so check out tvguide or yahoo tv for listings.

[LittlexFallxOfxRain]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 2:47pm

Yikes.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 2:58pm

They did rechoreograph "One" so that he can be the point of the wedge.

Basically they jsut shoved the gypsies to the back so the D-List star gets his moment.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 3:09pm

I'm with Joey. Doesn't seem like the integrity of the work is in jeopardy.

Lopez is far from D-list in my opinion. He's too hot to be a D.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 4:23pm

So "One" finally has someone about whom it can be said:

She walks into a room and you know she's
Uncommonly rare,
Very unique
Peripatetic,
Poetic and chic!
She walks into a room and you know from her
Maddening poise, effortless whirl
SHE'S A SPECIAL GIRL!

[silversurfer2]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 4:44pm

Love it PalJoey!!!

[folkyboy]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 5:20pm

you are hilarious, PalJoey!

[ggersten]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 5:39pm

I really thought Mario would "sing" "Nothing" and "I can do that" and "Dance Ten Looks Three" changed subtly to "Pecs and Abs".

[Maurice]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 7:09pm

ggersten - Yeah, I guess you can buy pecs and abs just as easily as tits and ass nowadays.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 7:27pm

"They did rechoreograph "One" so that he can be the point of the wedge.

Basically they jsut shoved the gypsies to the back so the D-List star gets his moment."

I think that this alone violates everything that A Chorus Line was and is, and everything Bennett ever dreamt to prove to an audience. The only thing that could violate the essence of the show more is if there was a curtain call just so Mario Lopez could bow.

[morosco]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 7:44pm

think that this alone violates everything that A Chorus Line was and is, and everything Bennett ever dreamt to prove to an audience.

I agree. This whole thing is outrageously disrespectful to Michael Bennett. I would love to know how Baayork or McKechnie (or any of the other original production members) honestly feel about this.

[singingbackup]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 8:08pm

Sadly, it's a different world then when A Chorus Line originally ran. The competition is a lot fiercer and perhaps this is what will keep it going for a bit longer. Also, from recent events, the original cast will benefit monetarily from this revival and the tour. Something they really deserve for helping 'give birth' to A Chorus Line.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 8:39pm

This whole thing is outrageously disrespectful to Michael Bennett.

And I maintain that the Michael I met would LOVE all this--especially the "outrage" people like you were expressing, which he would think was a HOOT!