EVERY LITTLE STEP - the CHORUS LINE movie- Page 2

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 12:42pm

Thanks.

[insertclevernamehere]

Posted: 4/23/09 at 1:00am

Hey, I just got back from the Chicago screening and I wanted to post a few thoughts. All in all, I loved it but I do agree with the criticisms already mentioned here. I kept waiting for Natalie Cortez to audition, or any of the other actors who were cast in the show. I also agree that Tyce Diorio did not exactly cover himself in glory, which I'm sure is partly due to editing but to hear some of the things that came out of his mouth...
I didn't think Rachelle Rak was portrayed badly, except maybe at the end. To me, she was the epitome of the Broadway Gypsy, and was exactly the type of person who should have been cast (even though I did like the revival Sheila, blanking on her name). The most uncomfortable scenes were with Nikki Snelson, only partly because she's constantly half naked, way too skinny and freakishly, distractingly tanned. Jason Tam's audition scene was amazing, especially when he started crying. I've never been able to see the show (hopefully next month!) so I really thought that he was crying, it blew my mind when I found out that the breakdown is in the show because it felt so real. And then to see all the people behind the table wiping their tears, it was a great moment. Other great moments include whenever Baayork was dancing and anytime Chrissie Whitehead was on the screen. Someone already said this, but get that girl a tv show. She's just so warm and friendly and you love her the second she walks in the room. But the greatest moments in the documentary are when we get to hear Michael Bennet and his dancers telling their stories and knowing that they will soon get set to music and that we are able to listen to that piece of history.

[Marlothom]

Posted: 4/23/09 at 1:54am

I also saw the movie in Chicago tonight; I wondered if the non-covered "characters" lacked the suspense of others; like Al, he was just there; wonder if some people were just cast off the bat without much competition. I was a little underwhelmed by Jason Tam's monologue; having played the part I know how much they force you to stick to the book and he kept adding ad-libs which were distracting; the casting folk seemed to be casting dancers/actors and did not seem to worry much about the singing (except for Maggie), they did not say a word about Deidre's or Rachelle's voice (which was terribly off). I loved the movie though. My favorite part was Elanie singing Fame.

Updated On: 4/23/09 at 01:54 AM

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 4/23/09 at 3:35am

I loved Every Little Step. So much. GO SEE IT!!!

[Janki]

Posted: 4/23/09 at 3:50am

Does anyone know if it will be relased on DVD in the future??

[Zeitoujo]

Posted: 4/23/09 at 8:44am

bump

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 4/23/09 at 9:47am

I saw this on Monday and it was incredible! How amazing is Jessica Lee Goldyn? She should have originally gotten the role of Cassie.

I didn't realize Nikki Snelson auditioned for Val, she is a lot like her. She is freakishly strong and needs to eat a few hamburgers, it won't hurt her.

How obnoxious is Tyce Diorio? He is so full of himself and I'm glad he didn't get the role.

I want to go see it again so badly almost just for Jessica.

[desiree armfeldt]

Posted: 4/23/09 at 10:31am

I cried the entire time! It's a really incredible film. The concept is very clever; it's a perfect example of life imitating art.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 4/23/09 at 11:00am

"I was a little underwhelmed by Jason Tam's monologue"

Well, it was better than his stage delivery in the actual show, in which he recited it almost robotically without any emotion.

The movie was barely over 90 minutes, they could have easily shown mpre of the auditionees...unless maybe they didn't sign a waiver?

[LouieLovesTheater]

Posted: 4/23/09 at 11:12am

I saw a screening in Minneapolis several weeks ago and the director was there for a Q & A after.

The first thing that was asked was why they decided to focus on the characters they did. He told us that the other casting didn't have the suspense of the ones featured...he cited Natalie Cortez as an example. He made mention that she was cast 'very early in the process' and even though Morales was one of the larger characters there was no 'through-line' on her story.

I wanted to ask if he thought it was funny that many of the people that were shown auditioning but didn't make the cut ended up in the show in some fashion. I was very surprised at who I saw auditioning for Cassie...some were totally not right, some would have been interesting.

I loved the sequence where the showed all the women auditioning for Maggie trying to hit that note.

And how totally adorable is Baayork Lee? I loved every minute she was on screen.

If anyone comes off 'badly' (which really can't be said because the filmmakers treated everyone with great dignity) it would be Rachelle or Nikki. Rachelle has a moment in the process that might make you cringe a bit but is understandable. Nikki was just uncomfortable...her outfits, over-the-top performances, and crazy tan were distracting. I'm amazed they eventually gave her Cassie. It was very interesting to watch Nikki watch Jessica (who originally was called back for a swing) audition and essentially see her realize that Jessica was going to get the part. It's a telling moment.

All in all, the film was totally fascinating and I did hear from the director that they are already working on the DVD for it. Hopefully they will include a coda mentioning all the actors that ended up in the show.

[karen24]

Posted: 4/23/09 at 8:24pm

I saw this while I was in NYC this past weekend and loved it. I went onto IBDB to see what those who were cast have been doing since the revival closed, and was surprised (although probably shouldn't have been) to see that many of them have not been on Broadway since. I knew that Tony Yazbeck had gone on to be in GYPSY, and of course Charlotte D'Amboise went back into CHICAGO, but what about some of the others? Have they been active Off-Broadway or regionally? Also, does anyone know why Yuka Takara only wound up playing Connie for about 5 months (at least according to IBDB, I know they're not always accurate.)
The one thing that I did find a little weird about the movie was the fact that they really didn't acknowledge at all that Charlotte D'Amboise had quite a bit more experience going into the auditions than most of the others they highlighted. Do you think it really did come down to the close decision implied in the film, between her and the other girl (Natascia, I believe was her name?)To me at least it seemed that Charlotte had much more "star quality," at least in the auditions. I know some people here and some reviewers felt otherwise.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 4/23/09 at 8:45pm

I saw this the other day and, while I wish they showed more, I was happy with what I saw.

As far as Baayork Lee goes, I can't stand her. Why is she 'cute'? because she is little? She is a third rate dance captain and recreates Chorus Line about as well. if anyone deserves good credit, it should be Bob Avian.

Jessica Lee Goldyn's story was wonderful to follow and I am blessed to have seen her both as Val and as the strongest Cassie in the production (followed closely by Jessica Lee Patty).

Richelle Rak IS Sheila and her first audition was great, but she did blow it.. and the film showed her at less than her best.

It was great fun spotting dancers whose work I know in the background and imagining them in the show. I saw Michelle Kittrell auditioning for Maggie, which she is not. Kittrell is maybe a Cassie and definately a Sheila!

I don't get the big whoop about Snelson's clothes.. she was in off the rack dance attire.. it is supposed to show your form and body..

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 4/23/09 at 8:46pm

LouieLovesTheater, I agree with you completely in being surprised Nikki Snelson went on to play Cassie.

My inherit problem with her throughout the audition process shown in the film was that she always seemed to be "working it" so hard, which the creative team called her out on at the final callback. It reminded me quite a bit of the exchange in the show where Zach reprimands Sheila for always "putting it on" because, to me, that's what Snelson seemed to do at every single moment.

That same issue was what ultimately completely turned me off to her Cassie. For me, what makes "The Music and The Mirror" so riveting is Cassie's unfaltering desire to please. I've always felt that her desperation is derived from the fact that she only truly defines herself by her passion for dance, hence the pivotal role played by the mirror's ability to show her who she really is (through her ability as a performer.)

When I saw Snelson do the role, she seemed to be conveying that Cassie was trying to prove just how talented she was. Both the song and preceding scene were filled with a lot of the same self-indulgent gestures she did in her audition for Val. She seemed to want to spell out every single moment (the way she grabbed her breasts when she said "tits" in the movie made me cringe) and, because of that, the entire sequence registered as completely artificial.

Although Snelson is a terrific performer, the fact that she made it as far as she did (and ultimately into the show down the line) is one of the things that makes the film so fascinating as she seems so wrong for any of the roles.

I had similar feelings about several other people shown auditioning in the movie. For example, Meredith Patterson (to me) is much more suited to Cassie because of her "star showgirl" quality, as Bob Avian said. I also see Amy Spanger, who was up for Cassie, as more of a Val, etc. It's quite interesting to think about what might have been!

Updated On: 4/23/09 at 08:46 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/23/09 at 11:53pm

If I remember correctly, Yuka was out of A Chorus Line for about 4 months due to breaking her ankle(Lisa Ho filled in for about 3 months). And don't use ibdb.com as a source for who was in that show. I've sent them numerous cast lists from playbills and they haven't updated it.

As far as what some of the cast members are doing now(or just finished doing):

Charlotte - Chicago B'way
Mara Davi - White Christmas in Minnesota
Yuka - Rent tour
Tony Yazbeck - Gypsy B'way
Mike Cannon - West Side Story B'way
Krysta Rodriquez - In The Heights B'way
Dena DiGiacinto(Bebe) - ACL tour
Nadine Isenegger(Cassie alt.) - Pal Joey B'way
Jessica Lea Patty(Cassie alt.) - 9 to 5 B'way
Lisa Ho(Connie) - Shrek B'way
Liza Domingo(Connie) - ACL tour
Natalie Cortez - currently pregnant
Jason Patrick Sands(Don) - Chicago B'way
Katherine Tokarz(Kristine) - Rock of Ages B'way
Nick Adams - Guys & Dolls B'way
Melissa Lone(Maggie) - Mary Poppins B'way
Paul McGill - Fame movie
James T. Lane - Chicago B'way
Michelle Aravena(Tricia) - Jersey Boys Chicago
David Baum(Roy) - Mary Poppins B'way
Lorin Latarro(Vicki) - Guys & Dolls B'way
Grant Turner(Frank) - Billy Elliot B'way
Aaron J. Albano(Swing) - Mary Poppins B'way
Dylis Croman(Swing) - Chicago B'way
Eric Sciotto(Swing) - Pal Joey B'way
Lyndy Franklin(Swing/Dance Capt.) - Little Mermaid B'way
Adam Perry(Don) - Wicked B'way


hope this helps

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 4/24/09 at 1:28am

I get that the doc was about the performers, and I loved it, but I would've appreciated a little more Ed Kleban love. They could've at least had a full sentence about the man who gave voice and words to the dancer's stories and shaped them into the iconic songs we all love.

[karen24]

Posted: 4/24/09 at 2:42pm

Thanks ACL, that was great! I had a feeling IBDB wasn't the most reliable source...
And if Yuki is in the "Rent" tour, then my son & his girlfriend will see her tonight--it's playing here in Rochester.

[Brick]

Posted: 4/24/09 at 9:02pm

Can anyone find a release schedule?

I'm trying to find when it play sin San Francisco. So far, no luck.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 4/24/09 at 10:06pm

Yes, Yuka was out for quite a while then, so TECHNICALLY she was replaced in the role, so IBDB lists that as when she initially left the show. in the way of AEA, the IBDB listing is correct.

As far as other people from the revival, we can't forget Jay Armstrong Johnson, who originated Mark on tour, and is now a swing and the Claude cover on Broadway in Hair. Other alumni have elected to take various other paths. Brad Anderson chose to attend culinary school, and Tyler Hanes has been working the regional circuit, building a resume with lead roles that he wouldn't be playing yet here in New York and choosing projects that show that he is a TRUE triple threat where his dancing is negligable. Both men are smart in making those shoices for the paths that they want.

[fetzles1490]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 12:15am

Tony Yazbeck also played Gabey in Encores! On The Town, and Jessica Goldyn was Ivy.

[Kev]

Posted: 4/26/09 at 12:37am

something wicked,

Does anyone know the full name of actress who was up for Kristine with Crissy Whitehead down to the very end? I remember that her name was Jen but that's it.

Jennifer Frankel. She's a regular ensembler on Broadway. I thoroughly enjoyed her auditions but, ultimately, I think she came across as too hard and jaded a presence for Kristine.

[pushdabutton]

Posted: 5/3/09 at 9:56pm

I got to see this movie today in Boston as it just opened this past Friday. I loved it! The theatre was about half full at today's matinee and after Jason Tam's audition, there was a loud applause. I did see the revival of A Chorus Line when it opened on Broadway a few years ago so this documentary was a great addition to the experience. I will be purchasing the dvd when it is released and hope it has a lot of bonus footage.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 5/3/09 at 10:18pm

I enjoyed the doc, but found it a little disjointed. I love Rachelle and her tough facade. She is so insanely talented and she raises so many good points about the lows of the gypsy life. Watching the course of her narrative you realize that so much with casting is luck and timing. Insanely talented people get cut because they have a bad day and new talent gets cast because they have a good day. I loved when she was brutally honest about not having any idea what she did 8 months ago (and honestly, who would???). What Rachelle brings to the documentary is what docs are about-honesty and grit. It made me love her more. She is the real deal. Also, it shows that no matter what you have done or who you know, you can never rest on your laurels as a dancer. She IS Sheila and should have gotten the part. RACHELLE RAK ROCKS!!!!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 5/24/09 at 7:24pm

I finally got to see this today as it didn't open in DC until this past Friday. I loved it.

I really liked the guy Rick who was up for the role of Mike. I had heard so much about Tyce Diorio prior to seeing this movie. He's a wonderful dancer and I couldn't imagine why he altered the speed on one of his turns during the audition. He stood out, but for the wrong reasons. What a shame, because I really liked him.

I saw a glimpse of J.R. Whittington during the Paul audition sequence. J.R. can currently be seen on the ACL tour and I happened to see him go on as Paul (as an understudy) during its run in DC.

I loved Natascia Diaz as Cassie. It was also wonderful to see Charlotte's audition. I didn't realize that was Meg Gillentine in the Cassie sequence. I saw her as Lola in Damn Yankees in DC.

[nicole neumann2]

Posted: 5/24/09 at 8:03pm

my grandma and i loved it.

[TheatreFreak05]

Posted: 5/24/09 at 11:20pm

I'm sorry if this has been asked already; Will this be released on DVD??