A Newbie's A Chorus Line Review (10/7 Matinee)

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 6:32pm

Got to the Schoenfeld box office at 9 AM to try and SRO today's show, not knowing any clear-cut policy. The line, at least 50 strong, streched from the doors of the Schoenfeld to under the Butley marquee. I stood in line, not thinking I'd get a ticket. To my surprise, I got the last SRO ticket for the matinee. A Note: They're now selling 12 tickets per show, 6 at center, and 6 at stage right. They're unlimited per person and both evening and matinee are sold at the same time. The evening show's SRO was sold out within 3.5 minutes.

The matinee was held for 15 minutes to accomodate, apparently, a group that was coming (but never arrived). There were 3 empty rows towards the back of the orchestra. We weren't allowed to sit, however.

That being said, it's safe to declare that A Chorus Line is one of the best things produced in 2006 on Broadway, second to Doyle's production of Sweeney Todd. I had never seen the original (before my time) and only the last 20 minutes of the film. Of the score, I was familiar with One and I Hope I Get It.

I couldn't relate to any of the characters, to be honest. Yes, I've wanted something THAT badly, but none of their problems could relate to mine. That hindered my liking of the show just a bit (I had little compassion for most of them, but did feel bad when so many dreams were dashed before the finale). It wasn't the characters that made the show, it was the outstanding dancing. Give these people a special Tony....just give them something.

Paul's monologue was touching, a stand-out performance by Jason Tam. Not a dry eye in the theater. Charlotte D'amboise was phenominal as Cassie (someone give her a NEW show already!). Her Music and the Mirror brought down the house with, easily, a 2 minute applause break. Deidre Goodwin got much of the applause as Sheila, formerly a WASP, as Kelly Bishop put it, now a sassy black woman. They're both phenominal dancers. Michael Berressee is nice and cold as Zach. However, his monotone seems out of place, though, and his voice coming from the back of the Orchestra through the show is constantly jarring. Natalie Cortes is another standout as Diana. She, also, got long applause breaks for her songs. The rubber-bodied James Lane as Ritchie stole the show. He is a wonder.

Notable mentions should go to (in this order) Jessica Lee Goldyn, Mara Davi, Chrissie Whitehead, Tony Yazbek, Alisan Porter, and Michael Paternoso for their outsanding work.

Paul McGill was out, Mike Cannon was on. His Mark was very nice (but I have nothing to compare it to, so I'll leave it at that).

The crowd was fairly appreciative, with an odd amount of applause during the Finale. As each actor bowed, they applauded, stopped, and then started again, as opposed to continuous. Many lines were greated with great applause, and, of course, the ovations after the songs.

I had a great afternoon, highlighted by meeting the wonderful actors at the stage door (they're all so nice) and picking up the CD in the lobby. I shall give it a listen later.

Updated On: 10/7/06 at 06:32 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 6:44pm

So what did you think of the show?

[JasonM12480]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 6:45pm

Forgive my potential stupidity....but how is this a review? You talked about tickets, not the show itself. Also, just FYI, there's a great post already about Chorus Line reviews.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 6:45pm

uncageg, apparently it's just a review of the box office business for the day.

[Luscious]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 6:49pm

Dear Christ!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 6:57pm

Gee thanks, everyone.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 7:03pm

It's strange that the same person who writes that there was "Not a dry eye in the theater..." had already written "none of their problems could relate to mine. That hindered my liking of the show just a bit (I had little compassion for most of them...)."

Look, your eyes were dry... or not.

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 7:10pm

Yankee...when I asked what you thought of the show, you hadn't posted the actual review. Just the info. on tickets. That's why I asked.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 7:13pm

Why didn't they let you sit if the seats were clearly not being used?

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 7:17pm

You get what you pay for. And those were $250 premium seats. The producers could not afford to let SRO cheapskates sit in them.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 8:47pm

Tis true. The ushers and house management were extremely apologetic for not letting us sit. "The powers that be decreed that since they use that aisle a lot in the show, you can't move." By "they" the management meant Zach and by "a lot" they meant about 4 times.

But I enjoyed the show nonetheless.

And yes, my eyes were dry. I just didn't get that major sense of desperation and disappointment from everyone. Loved the updated orchestrations (though the pacing of I Hope I Get It was dreadful). The CD is a great listen, but, at 59 minutes, I'd want some more.

[scot]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 11:51pm

"I have little compassion for most of them..."

Hmmm.....I'd think about that as little more.
I get alot of positive energy in life by having
compassion for all kinds of people.

A CHORUS LINE is alot more than the dancing!

[Dakin]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 12:15am

Great Review!

Thanks.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 12:22am

That SRO sounds crazy, but good for ACL that it's doing so well, and glad to hear you liked the show! I think it's great you can take a look at the show from another point of view and still appreciate it.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 9:07am

scot - I meant that I didn't feel for the actors. I felt for characters, mostly, but the actors playing them, in my opinion, didn't do anything to make me feel emotionally crushed. Some, it seemed, were just reciting lines.

And yes, it's all about the dancing.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 9:16am

are they already selling the revival cast cd, or did you pick up the OBC recording? i didnt know the revival recording was out yet...

cool

:)

glad you enjoyed the show

wish i could see this come December...

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 9:20am

It was the revival cd, which comes out in stores on Tuesday. It's a great listen, even if it does leave something to be desired.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 8:48pm

i just got the CHORUS LINE obc cd today, and i am in love with it!!!!

"goodbye twelve, goodbye thirteen, hello love!"

all the songs are so awesome!

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 8:55pm

Paul McGill seems to be out a lot. When I read a review that says they had one understudy, it is always for Paul McGill. I am not saying that he is a Donna Murphy (Wonderful Town), but he just seems to be out quite often.

He was out when I saw it in San Fransisco, and he was out a week later when my friend saw it, and he was out the week before when my other friend saw it.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 8:58pm

Thanks for posting, Yankee. I can't wait to grab the cd Tuesday.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 11:09pm

Saw it today - whole cast was in, including Paul McGill. He was fantastic. They all were!

I have fallen deeply for Charlotte - if I could enjoy her anymore.

The new CD is fantastic. It's about 10 more minutes of stuff, including Paul McGill's medical book stuff in HELLO 12...

Charlotte sounds fantastic on the CD in Music and the Mirror.

I wish AND was included, but it's still great!

And Mara Davi - WOW!

And people started lining up at 8 am today for SRO. Updated On: 10/8/06 at 11:09 PM

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 11:12pm

I thought the CD does not come out until the 10th?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 11:13pm

It's avaliable at the theater now; in stores on the 10th.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 11:16pm

It's at the theatre and usually I don't by anything at the theatre like a CD, but I couldn't resist. Damn marketing!

But I have listened to the CD many, many times already - and usually end with Music and the Mirror on repeat.

All lyrics and some neat photos included. LOVE IT.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 11:18pm

VERY nicely written. I enjoyed reading it. Thank you for the review