CHORUS LINE OPENS IN SF- Page 2

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 1:36am

I am so excited to be going on the 13th!

[gcal]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 3:41am

not much of a reviewer- just got back from the opening night party

For starters- AMAZING production.
The audience was clearly familiar with A Chorus Line- we applauded every iconic position-- the applause when they hold up their headshots lasted forever.

The cast was excellent- it's weird to hear other people singing those songs that i've heard the original cast sing for 20 years... but it was NICE. I was worried for a bit that D'Amboise's Cassie didn't WANT/NEED it enough...but as she went through Music And the Mirror (and danced the **** out of it), you could see Cassie reaching and pulling out all the ****in stops.

And of course- the dancing was perfection. Still works...30 years later.

The cast party was ****in sweet. I didn't want to be "that guy" who went to talk to the cast...but I knew I'd be kicking myself later tonight if I didn't tell them how special the performance was to me as a theatre student. I thanked both Charlote D'Amboise and Shelia Goodwin for all their work...and I spoke at length with Heather Parcells- who plays Judy.

As far as changes from the original...
-I noticed they cut the birthdates of the characters- stating their age rather than the year they were born.
-During "And" Judy sang some bizzare lyrics about toys and boys and ended with "and why am i so thin" instead of "try to relax try to relax only lasts a while- i'll close my eyes and smile."
-Cassie didn't cross a leg in the "line."

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 4:05am

shatteredheart- Is there a computer backstage?

[mustard]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 4:10am

-During "And" Judy sang some bizzare lyrics about toys and boys and ended with "and why am i so thin" instead of "try to relax try to relax only lasts a while- i'll close my eyes and smile."

As far as I am aware, that is original


god I’m a wreck
god I’m a wreck
I don't know where to start
I'm gonna fall apart
where are my childhood memories?
who were the boys
what were my toys
gone beyond recall!
and why am I so tall?

with "thin" being an alternate lyric for non-tall Judys. I've NEVER heard "close my eyes and smile."
Updated On: 8/3/06 at 04:10 AM

[Fiction Writer]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 4:17am

I wanna go sooooooooooooooooooooooo bad! It sounds great.

[Jovie24]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 4:29am

Yes, the show was great...I got to meet my cush Tyler Hanes...lol...seemed nice, but over all the show was fantastic. Charlotte was AMAZING, just AMAZING. Yes, there was a 4.4 Earthquake just a little after the show started, it really rocked the MEZZ section, a lot of people were looking around not knowing what to do and if they should do anything. I told Alison Porter after the show and she did not hear anything about it and I simply told her that it was all of your guys energy! LOL..nice saved...go see the show if you get the chance...

Jovan

Posted: 8/3/06 at 4:44am

I thought it was just OK. noone stood out as fantastic. Voices were not great, except the maggie. she had a powerful voice. Belted "at the ballet" which you never hear. The val and morales (who have two of the best songs-vocally) were NOT good singers. Great dancing though...the acting and singing left a lot to be desired! Shame. Not up to Broadway standards yet...hoepfully they will be!

finales costumes looked BEAUTIFUL!

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 4:47am

My Goodness, what a way to open the show: with an earthquake! All that stepping and leaping and kicking and touching Glad no one was hurt and there was seemingly no damage.

Sounds like they are off to a good start.

"I was worried for a bit that D'Amboise's Cassie didn't WANT/NEED it enough...but as she went through Music And the Mirror (and danced the **** out of it), you could see Cassie reaching and pulling out all the ****in stops." --- gcal

"Charlotte was AMAZING, just AMAZING."--- jovie24

I needed to read those comments. After the lousy day I had, I needed to know her opening night went well. Thank you

Get to see this October 27th in NYC. CAN NOT wait.

[PersonofInterest]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 5:25am

I can't believe there was an earthquake during the opening number! I certainly hope that wasn't MB trying to send a message to the theater community!!
I am really glad to hear that Charlotte is getting some positive feedback from tonight. Early buzz on the board was not good.
And Diedre is, of course, living up to the expectations it sounds.
How was Ken Alan? I don't see anyone mentioning him at all, and he is such a talent. I hope he is standing out.

[shatteredheart]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 10:01am

The building has a wireless connection and lots of people have computers backstage.

[hen88]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 11:10am

Could someone tell me how Natalie Cortez was as Morales? There been a lot of reviews of Charlotte D'Amboise and other cast members, but not too much about Natalie. Afterall, she sings two of best-known songs in the show. Thanks.

HEN
Updated On: 8/3/06 at 11:10 AM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 11:15am

How were "Let Me Dance for You" and "Surprise, Surprise?"

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 11:29am

*giggle*

[OzarkElphaba]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 11:39am

As awful as the movie was, it did at least capture Gregg Burgge's performance (And his gross sweat throw). Anyone else notice that on the DVD Marvin Hamlisch claims that "Suprise, Suprise" and "Who Am I Anyway?" were written for the film, and not "Let Me Dance For You"?

[mateo]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 11:45am

So did everyone laugh when Cassie says "We had an earthquake..." ?

[mustard]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 1:23pm

Glad to hear at least Mara's (Maggie) singing was good.

Posted: 8/3/06 at 1:30pm

In response to natalie. Her dancing was beautiful. Her acting was poor and her singing was worse. VERY disappointing, she did not catch any of Diana's spunk or energy and all of her songs fell flat, no energy. quite sad for one of the best parts in the show. Most people leave remembering diana...not this time...

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 1:30pm

Yeah, how was WHAT I DID FOR LOVE?
And I am glad Charlotte is getting positive feedback.

I think Natalie Cortez is my new crush after watching the bway.com video.

Posted: 8/3/06 at 2:03pm

"What I did for love"...was...not good. I hate saying that. Because I love the song and the show...she just didn't have the power (vocally or acting). It didn't mean anything...sad, sad,sad.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 2:06pm

How did you feel about D'Amboise, Mercades?

Posted: 8/3/06 at 2:09pm

good acting. Dancing was very solid. She made that long, difficult dance look so easy! Voice...not good. Everytime she hit a high note she shoulders went up to her ears. She's just not a singer...Which is fine. It's a hard part. Hopefully her singing will get better by the time they good to new york.

[HOUFlip04]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 2:18pm

How do they handle the Asian Paul? Is his name still Paul San Marcos? Do they keep the references about him being hispanic or Puerto Rican?

Posted: 8/3/06 at 2:29pm

He doesn't really look Asian from stage. Also there is a line in the script, "everyone is always saying, 'you don't look Puerto Rican, you don't look Puerto Rican".

which is why he changed his name from Efrian Rameriez to Paul San Marco.

He could pass for Puerto Rican.

[HOUFlip04]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 2:35pm

Ah, that makes sense. He really doesn't look Asian. But there are some pictures that you can see a bit of Asian. I can relate. People say that about me too.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 2:36pm

San Marco is an Italian name.

He changed his name from Latin to Italian, because he thought it would up his casting possibilities.

...and how this plays out in the revival with an Asian actor is beyond me. They should have adapted these lines, if they wanted to use this actor.