Chrissie Whitehead and Tyler Hanes from "A Chorus Line" in Signature's "The Studio"
Chrissie Whitehead and Tyler Hanes from "A Chorus Line" in Signature's "The Studio"
#1Chrissie Whitehead and Tyler Hanes from "A Chorus Line" in Signature's "The Studio"
Posted: 11/6/07 at 10:36pmI just got back from the first preview of Christopher D'Amboise's new original production of "The Studio". I was surprised to open up my playbill and see that 2 recent members of A Chorus Line were cast. I won't give much away in case some DC-area based people are planning to head to Signature to see this, but its in great shape- a few slow parts, but the dancing is great and there is an actual plot. The leads give very good, understated performances. I was quite disappointed with the first couple of Signature shows this season, but I think this one will put them on the right path.
"Why do you care what people might say? Why try to fit into their design?" (Side Show)
#2re: Chrissie Whitehead and Tyler Hanes from 'A Chorus Line' in Signature's 'The Studio'
Posted: 11/6/07 at 11:32pmHeh, I was just coming to post a thread to ask if anyone was seeing this. It sounds so interesting. Could you elaborate a little more on what it's about? (If you don't want to give anything away, please PM me.) I wish I could get to DC to see this.
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
miss pennywise
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/7/04
#2re: Chrissie Whitehead and Tyler Hanes from 'A Chorus Line' in Signature's 'The Studio'
Posted: 11/6/07 at 11:36pm
I'd like to hear more too, especially from KCFan 'cause I trust her judgment. 
http://www.roches.com/television/ss83kod.html
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#3re: Chrissie Whitehead and Tyler Hanes from 'A Chorus Line' in Signature's 'The Studio'
Posted: 11/7/07 at 8:29pm
The premise of the show is that Chrissie's character dances for a well-known (but out of the picture) choreographer who has a kind of gossip-ridden past in the dance world, and gets a job to be his "test case" of sorts for a new piece. It ends up not being a solo piece like she thought and she is paired up with a boy (Tyler) that has been working with this choreographer for many years with many partners. The plot is how the pair melds together and the kind of direction they have to endure/respond to from the very particular and esoteric choreographer. Its kind of a behind-the-scenes look at the dance world rehearsals.
I am not a dancer by any means, but it seems to me that Christopher D'Amboise made a very good attempt at presenting this world to a general audience, but also remaining true to what "really" goes on. A young dancer sat near me and she mentioned his accuracy after the show. The dance is incorporated nicely into the plot- some of it taking place in real time as action and other elements played out for the audience to represent the moves that the choreographer is developing/stringing together in his head. It is a very effective device, along with the inner monologues of all three actors.
Different from a lot of dance shows, I appreciated the plot and how the dance was interwoven with, but did not distract from, the advancement of the plot. The casting, in particular, helped. The two dancers were clearly dancers who were strong actors as well.
I would wholeheartedly recommend seeing (especially you, miss pennywise, I think you would like it). It was a very strong outing for a first preview of a very new show. The audience gave it a warm reception (which, unlike NY, is not an automatic reaction is most regional theatres here). I can only imagine it will get better. I applaud Signature for giving a stage to these kind of new works and giving them a chance. This one worked. Some have not, but its good they give them all a try.
"Why do you care what people might say? Why try to fit into their design?" (Side Show)
Updated On: 11/8/07 at 08:29 PM
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