Casting for A CHORUS LINE revival

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 11/21/05 at 3:39pm

Sorry if this has been discussed before, but...

With a revival of A CHORUS LINE announced for next year (MUCH too soon IMO) who would you like to see cast? And which theater would you like to see it play in?

I would love to see it play the Broadhurst (kinda like the Shubert but without the second balcony).

In it I would love to see Denis Jones or Michael Barresse as Mike. Or maybe, Michael Barresse as Zack. Jim Borstelman as Bobby or Greg. Denise Faye as Val. Mary Ann Lamb as Shiela. So, anyway, who for Cassie? Paul? et al.....

I would love to see this be cast impressibly well and preserved on video. The original version deserves to be deserved. Much as I love the movie (please don't throw tomatoes at me for saying that) the original staging is too powerful and important to let slowly slip into oblvion.

Bob*

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 7:53pm

bump

[hannahshule]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 7:57pm

Me as Cassie!!!!!!!!!!!

[FosseBoi]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 7:59pm

Not trying to be mean but you need to change the title, ppl are going to think you have the cast list for it.

On topic I think they should cast unknowns like with the original cast

[wickedbway]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 8:20pm

It should be unknowns. Thats what the show is about!

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 9:47pm

Even though she's a bit old for it, I'd love to see Karmine Alers as Diana.

[theatahguy]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 10:20pm

I've said it before & I'll say it again--find out if she can sing, or give her a vocal coach or whatever, and PLEASE cast Elizabeth Parkinson as Cassie. Within the context of the show, the character of Cassie is somewhat of a "name" (featured dance roles, stopping two shows cold, etc), and Ms. Parkinson is just that. Not to mention her "Music & the Mirror" would be FIERCE (small request, but PLEASE let her wear her hair down for that number!!).

As far as other roles, I say Nadine Isenegger & Cindy Marchionda as Val & Diana, respectively. I saw them both perform in the 2001 tour and was simply knocked out by their performances.

[Victoria Grant]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 11:10pm

Well I would love to see Mark Kudish as Zack and I think Gavin would make a great Mike. I also think Rebecca Luker would make a great Sheila

I agree with you guys though, I think some fresh faces and yes it is way to early for a revival.

[ShuQ]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 12:23am

Definitely fresh faces. I wouldn't expect to see Marc or Gavin.

[noahrp3]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 12:46am

I heard that Desmond Richardson is up for Richie.

[theatahguy]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 1:34am

Marc & Gavin? wow...To say they're totally wrong for this show is an understatement. And Rebecca Luker? We are talking about Maria Rainer, Marian Paroo, Claudia Nardi--THAT Rebecca Luker as Sheila? SHEILA?? Well, if we're going for people that are fundamentally wrong for the roles, here are some suggestions:

*Connie-Sutton Foster (she's close enough to 4'10")

*Cassie--Melanie Griffith (God, she's a dancer...a dancer dances)

*Sheila--Elaine Stritch (she's gonna be 30...real soon)

*Kristine-Laura Benanti (she could never really sing)

*Val-Kelli O'Hara (she's ugly, homely & flat as a pancake)

*Diana-Kristin Chenoweth (she's as Puerto Rican as they come)

*Zach-Patti Lupone (her brother Robert is gonna give her some tips)

Anyone else care to fill in the ones that I've missed?

[jimmirae]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 1:44am

As far as which House I think it would fit nicely at the Broadway Theater and I believe if this is going to be able to work again it must be cast with unknowns. Someone else here mentioned that being what the show is about and I agree that is the spirit of this show, It is one of the greatest ensemble shows ever and casting it with unknowns gives everyone the chance, like like imitating art, to sink or swim. I do not think it too soon for a revival, how long has it been, 1976? 30 years is a great time for revivals, even 25 or 20 sometimes. Of course, you cannot go around reviving things like "Cats" that had it's 9 lives with it's original run, but sufficient time has passed now for a new "Chorus Line" audience, Which is sort of a nice thought, Now all the 12 year old rich girls will be talking ACL instead of just Wicked, and that is refreshing, and if their parents are VERY wealthy indeed, they can afford cosmetic surgery to make them Pretty Girls and the best Vocal Coaches to teach them how to Sing Very Well so they can actually be Stars on Broadway one day if they still have the desire at legal age, which I am sure shall soon be dropped to 13 so it really wont matter much. It's sort of like being 13 and being charged an ADULT price for a Cinema Ticket, But being told you cannot buy a ticket to an R rated show till you are 17 or such, If the TICET PRICE says you are an Adult, You can buy a ticket to ANYTHING. I'm sure I'm right about this, And I'm not the one making these rules...

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 2:05am

I'm all up for "unknowns" to be cast; however, the Original Broadway Cast was composed of ensemble actors that had many shows on their belt. Priscilla Lopez, the original Diana, had being on Pippin; Donna McKehnie had been on Company (choreographed by Michael Bennett)as Kathy a role that actually had a solo dance and the solo on "You Could Drive A Person Crazy." I believe the people in this show should be great dancers that are not big names but that have paid their dues already.

[Thespinoy]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 2:06am

A Chorus Line Revival stunt-cast:

Paul: Jai Rodriguez
Mike: Kyan Douglas
Greg: Carson Kressley
Al: Thom Filicia
Butch: Ted Allen

Richie: Jamie Foxx (OPENING NIGHT ONLY)/ performances thereafter: Hugh Jackman
Connie: Zhang Ziyi
Diana: Jessica Alba
Val: Pamela Anderson
Sheila: Stephanie Powers; & at certain performances: Dame Judy-"May the adults smoke?"-Dench

Maggie: Courtney Cox Arquette (covers Bebe)
Bebe: Jennifer Aniston (covers Maggie)

Cassie: Meryl Streep (Dream Cassie: Paula Abdul - dances "Music and the Mirror")
Zach: two words...HUEY LEWIS!!!

Standby for Connie, Diana, Val, Sheila, Maggie, Bebe, & Cassie: Kelly Rippa

[jimmirae]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 3:42am

Oh my, I was ready to puke when you said Jai then you added his little friend Kyan too?

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 9:27am

I remember hearing a short while ago that a certain well-known (within the theatre community, at least) actress was being seriously considered for Cassie. Don't know how true it is or if anything came of it, though.

[Victoria Grant]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 10:21am

maybe Karen Ziemba as Cassie?
I still like my idea of Marc Kudish as zack.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:20am

Just to put this in perspective...

Donna McKechnie was 35 when she played the role of Cassie on Broadway. She was the oldest member of the cast (rightfully so, based on the character's level of experience and personal history).

Kelly (Carole) Bishop, who played Sheila, was 31.

Robert LuPone (Zach) was 29. Pricilla Lopez (Diana) was 27, and so was Kay Cole (Maggie). Pamela Blair (Val) was 26.

...At the present time, Karen Ziemba is 48. Michael Berresse is 41, Marc Kudisch is 39...

Updated On: 11/25/05 at 11:20 AM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 2:54am

Donna McKehnie wasn't even a star when A Chorus Line opened, I believe Ann Reinking (her replacement) was probably more famous than McKehnie herself. However, she was already getting featured roles on Broadway instead of being part of the ensemble (i.e Kathy in Company). Karen Ziemba, Bebe Neuwirth, all those great actresses whose name have been on top of the title are not only too old for the roles but too renowned for us to believe that they are struggling to be part of a chorus line.

[jimmirae]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 3:22am

At the time I believe Ms. Reinking may have been notorious, LOL!

[show2n2]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 11:00am

lol@ur choices. I actually saw Kristin play Morales.

I agree that is should be fresh faces making debuts. Imagine the energy. Like 42nd street.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 3:12pm

I agree about Cassie, my issue is that people are saying names like Karen Ziemba, who is a Tony-award winning actress. In my opinion, Cassie-or anyone in A Chorus Line-should have Broadway star status. I'm actually very excited about this revival, I wish they could get the Shubert though but no one's taking Spamalot out of there. Does anyone know if Bob Avian and Baayork Lee will re-create Michael Bennett's choreography and staging or will they do something like Ann Reinking did with the Chicago revival?

[Craig]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 3:19pm

After SO4, there's no doubt in my mind that Val should be played by Nicolette Hart. Period.