A Chorus Line: Great or "eh"

[ChiChi]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 4:48am

I saw this a few years ago and I wasn't crazy about it.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 8:56am

"A Chorus Line" can be a wonderful experience in the theatre - but it all depends on the director, cast and production values. No matter when or where you see a show in this industry, it all depends on having the right mix of performers, director, and producers to make a show fly. Its like gambling - its all very hit and miss. You pay your money and you take your chances.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 9:01am

Matters of personal taste aside, I'm not sure I understand how this is even a question, especially on a theatre board.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 9:01am

I saw the final national tour and it was great. But I can see how and amateur production could be a nightmare to sit through.

[Jon]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 9:07am

I also saw the first national tour and was dazzled by the staging and the lighting. I already knew the score from listiening to the OCR a few hundred times.

I was not, however, moved to tears (like the other five people in my party) by Paul's monologue. I couldn't relate to it at all. My parents were professional theatre performers, and actually ENCOURAGED me to have an interst in theatre. No, I'm not gay and I don't perform in drag, but it I was, they would have been fine with it!

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 9:18am

I saw a pretty uninspired national tour (mid-90's) and it was BRUTAL. Although I still think the score is completely devoid of any dramatic weight, I'd like to see a stronger production to see how the whole thing comes off when well done.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 9:22am

It was the first professional show I ever saw, so of course I love it.

[mominator]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 9:35am

It was my first Broadway experience as well. I loved it!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 9:45am

I used to be obsessed with A Chorus Line. Its very addicting. The music is soooooo contagious it drove me insane. I still listen to the OBCR but not as often. It gets my GREAT vote. It changed the face of musical theater forever.

It needs to be revived.

[Paul LW]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 9:46am

Well...from what I saw of the movie, I heard it doesn't even compare to the stage show.

Hopefully those kids at the University of Michigan this year will give me something to sing about. But I'm sure they will.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 9:46am

Oh, and if there are any Chorus Line lovers reading this, if you dont have it yet, you need to buy THE LONGEST LINE; BROADWAYS MOST SINGULAR SENSATION. Its a wonderfully constructed book!

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 9:57am

Everyone has a right to their opinion--the like it or dislike it part. And the quality of a production can certainly affect our opinion. Remember that when you are evaluating whether a play or musical is bad, you are evaluating the writing--that which is passed on for others to create their own productions.

As far as whether A Chorus Line is good or bad--there is no argument. It is considered to be one of, if not THE, best of the best of musical theatre. It would be like questioning A Streetcar Named Desire or Death of a Salesman--you just can't. It is beyond the realm of opinion at this point. And whether you like something or not, you need to know that it is considered to be good.

Cool fact: At any given second of the day, A Chorus Line is being performed somewhere in the world.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 10:10am

It is? Really? You can say the same of Candle In The Wind, too.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 10:13am

You are comparing a live production being performed to a recorded song? Not. Quite. The. Same. Love.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 10:15am

Not really comparing the two, merely pointing out that the fact is true of both of them.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 10:17am

cool--didn't know if you were trying to belittle my ACL fact.

Does that make "CITW" the most played song in history? Wouldn't surprise me since both versions are about two of the greatest non-living icons.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 10:21am

I think it does make it the most played song in history, yes. Especially if you factor in his rewritten version for Princess Di.

[LittleFish8386]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 10:30am

I did it at my high school two years back, under some pretty horrible direction. Why do a show that requires triple threat performers when you only have kids who are good at one or two things?
After chopping half of the 'adult themed' things out of the show, and performing it without an intermission---I think that both performers onstage were out of their league and the audience was down right bored.
I agree that it's a great show, with great music. You just have to find a great cast.

[morosco]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 10:37am

Productions directed by Michael Bennett (as opposed to productions that tried to recreate his staging) were stunning works of art. What he did, along with the designers, with that "empty" stage was nothing short of breathtaking. I remember the thrill of seeing that white painted line when I entered the Shubert Theatre the first time I saw it on Broadway. There was nothing onstage but a white line and that black void. So deceptively simple and clean and theatrical. Another amazing thing was the complete darkness the theatre went to just before you hear the rehearsal piano plunking out those first notes. When Zach said "Again..." and the lights bumped up to reveal a crowded stage and the mirrors in view for the first time. It was absolute magic. Bennett was also amazing at keeping the tempo of the show at a constant speed. I miss that man. I can only imagine what he would have given us in recent years or what Broadway might be like if he were still around.

[lildogs]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 10:53am

first, morosco, love your icon--she's so gorgeous in real life!

anyway, like anything, it needs talent to bring it to life, but unlike alot of shows, "A Chorus Line" has a great score and a pretty good book to make it rise above a lesser show (dare I give an example?) where the starting materials (the script) may not be quite as strong, but the production it's given makes it seem better than it is. Like "The Lion King"--there i said it--

long post short, ACL is a good script, open to interpretations, where TLK owes it success almost exclusively to Julie Taymor and the Disney franchise...not picking on TLK, you can put your own example in...

[mominator]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 10:55am

AMEN to that morosco!

[Plum]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 12:56pm

Actually, I think the most-played song is the Birthday Song. Though I guess there isn't one definitive form of that. :)

I think A Chorus Line definitely needs a strong cast and direction to make it work. The score is good, but not the best thing I've ever heard. Same with the book. This isn't Gypsy, but it's a good show in its own right. I think the Michael Bennett production had as much to do with the show's success as anything.

[Arthur Mervyn]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 1:16pm

>As far as whether A Chorus Line is good or bad--there is no argument. It is considered to be one of, if not THE, best of the best of musical theatre. It would be like questioning A Streetcar Named Desire or Death of a Salesman--you just can't. It is beyond the realm of opinion at this point.<

Beyond the realm of opinion? You can google and find many critics saying the show stinks. I've heard many highly regarded theater people say they think the show is awful - people that are talked about on this board with some measure of reverence. Doesn't make them right or wrong - it's entirely subjective. But nothing, not even Shakespeare, is beyond the realm of opinion. Constant reassessment by each generation is how art lives or dies. What's wildly popular 100 years ago is considered crud today.

I find A Chorus Line entertaining - but I think it's deeply flawed. A few of the lyrics are amazingly trite (What I Did For Love being the standout example), some of the music is a tad dated and the concepts are a bit mawkish (mid-70s EST sessions, anyone?) Just my opinion. Doesn't make me right.

[Plum]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 1:17pm

The importance of A Chorus Line can't be questioned. Its quality can.

And I'm glad I'm the only one who finds "What I Did For Love" to be overrated. Updated On: 8/24/04 at 01:17 PM

[morosco]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 1:32pm

I'm starting to wonder how today's audience would respond to A CHORUS LINE. Perhaps it is dated. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commision would probably have some concerns with Zach's personal questions lol. Updated On: 8/24/04 at 01:32 PM