A Chorus Line vs Chicago

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 8:15pm

Even though Chorus Line won all the awards, I liked Chicago over Chorus Line

Chicago had the stronger score & to me was a better over all production. It had a much longer shelf life than Chorus Line did

Opinions ?

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 8:43pm

Did you see the original productions of both?

Just curious.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 8:47pm

Mr Roxy saw Gwen in Charity.

I'd imagine he saw those original productions.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 8:53pm

...Saw Gwen in CHARITY??? I'm so very jealous.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 9:06pm

Saw original Chorus & Chicago

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 9:15pm

*** bows humbly before Mr. Roxy***

Well since you saw both originals, I have to ask you... why do you think A Chorus Line bulldozed Chicago the way it did?

I've heard many second-hand comments: Chicago was too dark, didn't completely work, was an "acquired taste" etc. Chorus Line was THE show of a generation, etc.

I agree (so far) that "posterity" has worked in favor of Chicago, but that doesn't really have anything to do with the original productions, the era, the atmosphere of Broadway and New York in 1976. I can't really see people coming out of a theatre saying, "I liked this show better because it will play better 30 years from now." They wouldn't know that.

What do you think? I can only go by what others say. There clearly was no "close call" though. A Chorus Line eclipsed Chicago in every possible way. I have no first-hand explanation as to why.

[alterego]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 10:02pm

I never saw the original CHICAGO, but saw A CHORUS LINE several times. When you see A CHORUS LINE now it does seem firmly rooted in the 1970's, old fashioned even. Whereas CHICAGO (though set in the twenties) seems more accessible.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 10:08pm

I wasn't born until 1985 and I still loved A Chorus Line when I saw it onstage (not Broadway). I don't think the original time period really effects the story that much.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 10:31pm

CHICAGO got stronger with age. And that's a fact. And another fact is, CHICAGO will become more relevant in today's society year by year.

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 10:45pm

Chicago has aged amazingly well, although I think many of the themes of ACL are timeless and universal. But, man, I'll tell ya what's NOT timeless: Those "Theme from Shaft" electric guitar arrangements in ACL! Yikes! Let's hope we get some nicely updated arrangements for the revival.

Updated On: 11/27/05 at 10:45 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 11:12pm

Chicago got mixed reviews & Chorus Line did not. Fosse was a known quantity but Bennett was up & coming. The story was about Broadway Gypsies whereas Chicago was a more mainstrem musical

Updated On: 11/28/05 at 11:12 PM

[Marquise]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 11:22pm

~ "Those "Theme from Shaft" electric guitar arrangements in ACL

that was priceless and so true.
~ they seriously need to update the arrangements

[pab]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 11:28pm

I saw them both and I preferred "A Chorus Line". I think that it's easier to watch something now that is dated well before your time and that is probably why "Chicago" holds up better for some people. I lived during the time of "A Chorus Line" and "Chicago" was set well before my time so, in the 70s, "A Chorus Line" was more relevant to me. I would be curious to see how I would feel about the revival but I do remember what I felt back when I saw both shows.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 11:30pm

I agree with you about the '70s sound of the arrangements for A Chorus Line, but from what I understand they are leaving the show's revival set in 1976. It's to be a recreation of the original show.

Time to dust off your Wa-Wa guitar pedals.

"Can you dig it?"

Updated On: 11/27/05 at 11:30 PM

[jv92]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 8:11pm

Chicago is a much stroner piece, or at least that's my opinion. A Chorus Line was very well written but Fosse's choreography, Tony Walton's set and those brilliant performances and the book and score...I mean, can you get any better?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 8:30pm

JV 92

I agree 100 % totally

[alterego]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 1:34am

I could happily sit through both many times, which is something I couldn't do with many of the more recent successful shows.

[jimmirae]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 3:46am

Okay, everybody keeps mentioning "Chicago" with it's original set, Now it was long ago, yes, But I don't recall much of a "SET", there was the black box with the double doors that opened and things came out (scenes, bedroom, etc) and there were the individual bars the girls had with the lights for "Cell Block" and some 30's style pictures on a few side backdrops, and the band was on top of the box with the staircases on each side, was there much else - If so, I seem to have forgotten it!! (Loved the neon "Chicago" & Roxie" signs as well!) I believe I still know where that original set is, I may just go pick it up if it is still around, Gosh knows, I've had many chances!