A Chorus Line: 1/02/07

[singingshowgirl]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 11:56pm

having heard many many many mixed reviews about a chorus line, i was anxious and scared to see it.....and after it all, i really really enjoyed it.

we had 3 understudies:
Michelle Aravena for Diana
Grant Turner for Don
Lyndy Franklin for Bebe

I felt all 3 understudies did really good jobs....of course the role of Diana is the biggest and I thought Michelle was really really great in it!

The highlights of the show were definitely Jessica Lee Goldyn as Val, Heather Parcells as Judy, and Mara Davi as Maggie. I thought Jessica really stayed in character the entire show, even when the focus wasn't on her. I realize that she may have it easier because she could incorporate the physical aspects of her character into her dance and movement, but I thought she handled it well. I felt similarly about Heather Parcells. She also stayed in character very well. I thought Mara Davi had such a lovely voice. Of course the character isn't nearly as interesting, but she sang it so nicely that I had to love her!

Charlottte d'Amboise was probably the biggest disappointment to me in this show, but her dancing was fabulous! She just wasn't the most amazing actor or singer (and coincidentally, the character of Cassie makes the same statement to Zach about her own abilities!). She's a dancer first and I realize it is hard to find someone who is so fabulous at all three when A Chorus Line is the ultimate hardcore dancing show. I thought that either she looked too old or Michael Berresse looked too young because they didn't look like they would have been romantically involved. I'm leaning towards him looking a little too young since they said how Zach has directed so much and everything. I also felt there were points that Zach was too nice, but maybe that's just me

I thought Jason Tam was good as Paul, but the monologue went on too long. I don't know if that was because it really was too long or he didn't do a good enough job with it.

Deidre Goodwin had good sass and attitude as Shelia.

The whole show was such a self-reflecting experience for me. So much of the show came so close to home since I am an aspiring actress. When Paul fell, I remembered when a girl in my dance class got seriously injured, and how everyone in my class was so shook up and we all suddenly felt so vulnerable.

And I rolled my eyes when Zach says at the end how it's a tough decision and he wants to hire everyone. I know how annoying it is to hear directors say that.

So yeah, I really enjoyed A Chorus Line....and it did restore my faith in musical theater because someone has to get cast even if there are lots of people who don't get cast. I don't know how much I would love the show without such an immediate connection to the theater, but the dancing was great and it made me happy! Go see it! It's a singular sensation!

[Just_John]

Posted: 1/3/07 at 12:06am

I'm glad you enjoyed it. But I thought Charlotte was strongest at the acting than anything else.
Threadjack: Mara Davi was on the train with me and my friend and my friend dropped her gloves on the floor Mara picked them up and handed them to her when she was getting off. She's so sweet.

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 1/3/07 at 12:14am

I'm very glad you like it.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 1/3/07 at 12:29am

singingshowgirl, I was there tonight as well and I agree on all counts except one. I felt like Michelle Aravena played Diana much too nice. She didn't have that underlying sharp Bronx Puerto Rican bite that Natalie has. This was my second time seeing the show and I definitely preferred Natalie. I loved Lyndy Franklin, I think she is a better Bebe than Allisan is. Heather and Mara were really on tonight. Charlotte is by far the weakest link. Glad you enjoyed it.
-BJH