Charlotte D'Amboise as Cassie No Star Quality

The dance doesn't fit her particular talents, so if you are going to see the show to see the Music and the Mirror, its a waste of $110.00. She has certain strengths, but they are not shown off to any advantage and McKechnie's moves are not flattering on Charlotte's body. What should build into a show stopping crie de coer really fizzles. Funny Charlotte is now the same age that Elizabeth Seal was when Bennett fired her for being "too old." Unless you had McKechnie magic when she returned to A Chorus Line at 42, Cassie should be 32. Natascia Diaz would have been perfect. Go see her in Brel and you'll see what I mean.

Interesting, Dame. What was McKechnie lacking? Which Cassie did you prefer and what did she bring to her performance that made it special?

Bebe was really young when she played Cassie. I saw her do it as understudy and then when she took over the role on tour. For my money, she lacked the vulnerability even then to illuminate Cassie's plight or humanity in any significant way. I think Wanda Richert (whom I saw several times) really had a focus on the role and was especially good when she returned after doing 42nd Street. She knew what it was about by then (having been through her Calvary as Gower's mistress-cum-"widow" -- although she would be the first to say she was a sinner) and her humanity really came through, especially in the "we are special" scene.

Charlotte's dancing is okay, but the choreography suit her and the number doesn't approach show-stopping. Maybe that has been the reason she has never really originated a role.

so if you are going to see the show to see the Music and the Mirror, its a waste of $110.00.

Well, if you're dropping that kind of money for the sake of being interested in one song, that's a bigger problem.

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Updated On: 9/25/06 at 12:29 PM

Gotta say that of the three Cassies I saw in the original production (Pamela Sousa, Cheryl Clark and Donna McKechnie's return to the role), no one made the number work better than McKechnie.

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Frank Rich had this to say about McKechnie's return:

"Ms. McKechnie dances as terrificly as ever - and perhaps more urgently. Here is a performer doing her job with complete conviction, for love of working, long after the parade of sold-out houses and fame has passed by. That is the spirit enshrined by A Chorus Line and that's why Ms. McKechnie's 1986 Cassie induces the shiver that comes when performer, role and theatrical history all merge into a poignant one."

All this after being stopped by arthritis and trashed in the theatrical community by Michael Bennett. I saw McKechnie do it several times before her marriage and in 1986 -- and later it didn't matter that she was older than all of the dancers on stage, it was very moving theater. McKechnie, above all, is a dancing actress and in each section of the number, her intentions were very clear. D'Amboise lacks both the technique as an actress and the grace of McKechnie's arms and torso. Its a major disappointment.

I don't think most of the audience by 1986 knew who McKechnie was. There was an initial flurry of publicity, then she settled into a six month run -- to the sea of red seats that a half empty house had. She still danced the hell out of the number.

Namo -- that is absurd. Most of the people who saw the OBC at the height of its popularity couldn't have told you the names of the cast.

McKechnie is my number one.




I'd love to see a production with a male 'Cassie.'

would that be wrong?

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You didn't even really need to qualify that one with "I think."

Not to theadjack but I was watching a rather lousy movie with Natalie Wood last night and it struck me that she would have been a wonderful Cassie personality-wise. I think she has all the right qualities.