A question about a regional production of A Chorus Line
A question about a regional production of A Chorus Line
winston89
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/18/06
#1A question about a regional production of A Chorus Line
Posted: 7/14/09 at 2:22pmThe same theatre on Long Island that is currently doing Miss Saigon is also doing a production of A Chorus Line. On their website they advertised it as original choreography. That led me to believe that they decided to ditch the Bennet choreography and hire someone to redo the choreography. With billing like that is it right for me to assume that. It is a show that I love and would make the trip out to see it. But, is it worth seeing a production without the Bennet choreography? For me, it is the Bennet work that makes the show for me. I have seen videos on youtube of the opening number with new choreography and it just doesn't sit well with me. I am asking for a second opinion.
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#2re: A question about a regional production of A Chorus Line
Posted: 7/14/09 at 2:39pm
1) it can be read two ways: "original" meaning the ORIGINAL choreography that Bennett did for the show, or "original" meaning NEW choreography and ditching Bennett's.
2a) I thought that it was a condition by the licensing company as per the Bennett estate that any licensed production of A CHORUS LINE *must* use the original Bennett choreography. True?
2b) If so, then they either received special unique permission OR they violated the terms of the license agreement.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#2re: A question about a regional production of A Chorus Line
Posted: 7/14/09 at 2:48pm
1. I, too, was assuming THE original choreography.
2. I understood the mandated choreography was for professional groups......but I could be WAAAAY off.
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winston89
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/18/06
#3re: A question about a regional production of A Chorus Line
Posted: 7/14/09 at 3:22pmI would assume that it would mean the original Bennet work. Considering that I know for a fact that this theatre on Long Island is an equity regional theatre and even one where a lot of now known Broadway performers had performed early on in their careers. Knowing all that information, I would assume that it would mean that it is the Bennet choreography.
"If you try to shag my husband while I am still alive, I will shove the art of motorcycle maintenance up your rancid little Cu**. That's a good dear"
Tom Stoppard's Rock N Roll
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#4re: A question about a regional production of A Chorus Line
Posted: 7/14/09 at 3:29pmWhy don't you call the Gateway Playhouse and ask?
#5re: A question about a regional production of A Chorus Line
Posted: 7/14/09 at 3:39pm
I would assume that it would mean the original Bennet work.
But you didn't.
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Everything in life is only for now. ~ Avenue Q
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#6re: A question about a regional production of A Chorus Line
Posted: 7/14/09 at 3:45pm
From the first notes... "God, I hope I get it!" to "One Singular Sensation", we watch and listen, mesmerized by each hopeful, each journey, each story of the lucky few who are cast, and the ones who may "pound the pavement" for yet, another day. With all original choreography, a Broadway caliber cast and director, A CHORUS LINE, will close our season in true Gateway style.
That, to me, reads as new choreography. Not the original choreography by Bennett. If it said all the original choreography I'd assume Bennett, but the way they word it definitely makes it seem like they're staging it with new choreography.
I'm curious to know how the licensing company expects regional theatres to stage the original choreography. I've never heard this before. Is there a video that they send out?
Updated On: 7/14/09 at 03:45 PM
#7re: A question about a regional production of A Chorus Line
Posted: 7/14/09 at 4:14pmConsidering that Mitzi Hamilton is the director/choreo.; I'm going to assume that it'll be with the original Micheal Bennett choreography.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
husk_charmer
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
#8re: A question about a regional production of A Chorus Line
Posted: 7/14/09 at 6:07pm
Yea, if it's Mitzi, it'll be Bennett (with some minor changes, depending on the dancer's bodies).
Having seen it without the full Bennett choreo, it actually does work on everything but Music and the Mirror.
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