EVERY LITTLE STEP - the CHORUS LINE movie- Page 3

[pushdabutton]

Posted: 5/24/09 at 11:21pm

Has anyone heard when this will be released on dvd? I have been looking online and haven't been able to find a dvd release date.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 5/24/09 at 11:53pm

A DVD can be suspected, I think, this Winter. Just speculation from knowing the business.

[Select a Member Name]

Posted: 5/25/09 at 12:47am

I'm so excited to see this tomorrow.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 5/25/09 at 12:07pm

Finally saw this last Tuesday. Loved it for the most part. Felt so bad for Rachelle, but then Deidre also nailed it. I can't imagine having to make those final casting choices. Really wish they covered more people, but if certain parts were indeed cast early(Diana, Al, Judy, Zach), they really won't be much of a point. So glad they interviewed Charlotte's father, I was a mess during that interview. The Maggie auditions were too funny, watching everyone attempt to hit that high note. Overall, a very good film, and I really hope this comes out on DVD at some point.

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 5/25/09 at 1:04pm

I found the movie to be wonderful... but I also found it so interesting the amount of people on Broadway today that did not make the show. I knew Nikki had auditioned, I did not know how far in the process she was. I was surprised to see how close Natashca and Rachelle got to almost getting the parts. It was interesting to see people like Michelle Kittrell and Elizabeth Parkinson there as well. I guess it really illustrates how tough it is to be in the business and want something so bad.

Overall great film...

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/25/09 at 3:27pm

Liked it quite a lot...didn't love it but I enjoyed it. It whizzed by (it's only an hour and thirty-six minutes long but felt even shorter) and definitely has some very interesting segments in it.

I haven't read through this whole thread but did anyone see as they were weeding out the auditionees, how they picked up two-time Tony nominee and one-time Tony winner Andy Blankenbuehler's name and unanimously said "no" to him...I laughed.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/25/09 at 3:38pm

Unfortunately... I didn't enjoy the film as much as I was hoping for. As many pointed out, it was basically A CHORUS LINE: The Reality Show broken down as a 96 minute film. As a huge fan of the original 1975 production, I devoured all those books about its creation as each one was printed (I still have them all in hardback) so for all the obvious reasons, my heart kept skipping every time snippets of the original session tapes were played. Same with each time Donna McKechnie, Baayork Lee, Bob Avian and especially (via that vintage interview) Michael Bennett would speak. Then it was back to the 'been-there-seen-that-before' auditions for the 2006 Broadway revival and the select industry known dancer embarrassing themselves that I had to look away at times: an 'allegedly' drunk/pilled-up Rachelle Rak; a physical-trainer bodied Nikki oozing too much self-importance... and a delicious gem of an a**hole: Ty. Already knowing the 2006 Broadway revival's cast and already knowing who would be cast, ruined any sense of excitement for me. Did the creators of this film not realize this film would be seen AFTER the revival opened on Broadway? Were they intending on showing the film on television to coincide with the tour's debut? Seriously.

Of ALL the cast members they chose to focus on, I was pleased to see they went a bit deeper with Charlotte d'Amboise's sections. As mentioned by others the inclusion of her father, the legendary Jacques d'Amboise, added immensely to everything Donna, Baayork, Bob and Michael Bennett had to say in their sections. They could have just ended the film with his comments and the whole point of A CHORUS LINE and its importance would have been established. Instead we had to sit thru... oh, never mind.

Hopefully the DVD incarnation of this mess of a film will contain bonus material on the original 1975 Broadway production that was sadly left-out of the final film.

NOTE: updated to reflect the comments below. Whoopsie (sorry, Mr. d"Amboise).

Updated On: 5/25/09 at 03:38 PM

[Hest882]

Posted: 5/25/09 at 3:49pm

I saw this two weeks ago, and both my husband and I found it strangely moving. Brody, I'm not sure if its release so much later than the revival is a general issue; I suspect most people in the audience had no clue who ended up in the revival and who didn't. Plus, even if they *had* seen the revival most wouldn't remember individuals as many on BWW would.

The archival footage was indeed wonderful, and I agree it was also pretty interesting recognizing people. ("Was that Amy Spanger?!" "Mario Lopez auditioned for this too?!")

I read that the filmmakers followed many of the potential cast members and then focused the material when revival was cast. I hope they include a lot of the other footage in the DVD.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/25/09 at 4:01pm

Brody, Jacques d'Amboise is still alive; it was his wife who passed away a few weeks ago.

In fact, I think his section was the most interesting part of the film, a true "what I did for love" slash "what happens if I could never dance again?" story. It's a stark contrast to his daughter, who is not the natural Cassie, having never really lacked for work, at one point even playing Charity Hope Valentine and Roxie Hart in the same day.

It was an inherently watchable movie, probably the closest to genuinely showing what actors go through, despite all the put-upon behavior and obvious reshoots.

Ultimately, the shocking thing was how passionate the whole thing was, especially compared to the production which lacked passion and oomph. Especially Jason Tam, whose audition was jaw-dropping and whose performance was mechanical.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/25/09 at 4:02pm

Ultimately, the shocking thing was how passionate the whole thing was, especially compared to the production which lacked passion and oomph.

Agreed.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 5/25/09 at 4:09pm

BrodyFosse123, I believe Jacques D'Amboise is still alive.

Oops, sorry Yankeefan, you beat me to it.

Updated On: 5/25/09 at 04:09 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/25/09 at 7:59pm

Thinking more about passion, I can't help but wonder where the people in the film auditions went down the line. What happened to Jason Tam and Charlotte d'Amboise that they became so mechanical?

Where'd the passion go? Did the cast just not click?

To me, another really interesting subject, which I wished they addressed more, was what Baayork Lee brought up: "she can't play my life." Quite frankly, most of the people cast had no connection to the material - people like Rachelle Rak, despite living the life of the gypsy, has never really lacked for work.

I would have rather seen more of the random no-names like Jessica and Yuka, whose first "big" break this really was, than the Charlotte's.

Ultimately, even with these qualms, it's the closest the show itself could ever come to being filmed. Bennett would be far happier with this than the other movie. Updated On: 5/25/09 at 07:59 PM

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 5/25/09 at 8:34pm

yankeefan, you bring up excellent points. The two times I saw Jason I thought he was wonderful. That being said, after seeing the first national tour in DC back in March, I thought the tour cast was stronger on all counts in comparison to their Broadway counterparts.

[IAMmyownMUSICAL]

Posted: 5/25/09 at 11:51pm

Chryssie Whitehead is my dance teacher! She is quite possibly one of the warmest, most loving, and inspirational individuals ever!

Got to see the movie with her there as well, was a wonderful experience

[IAMmyownMUSICAL]

Posted: 5/25/09 at 11:51pm

Chryssie Whitehead is my dance teacher! She is quite possibly one of the warmest, most loving, and inspirational individuals ever!

Got to see the movie with her there as well, was a wonderful experience

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 5/25/09 at 11:59pm

i saw this today and i loved it... Chryssie Whitehead just put a smile on my face everytime she was on...

also.. i would've loved if they had some sort of coda at the end that could've told people watching the movie that J. Elaine and Nikki Snelson ended up being cast in the show... it would've been nice.. but whatever.. i ain't a filmmaker

lastly... damn, every senior citizen in san diego was at that movie showing today! i'm pretty sure all of them saw the original cast on broadway!!!! ha

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 5/26/09 at 12:40am

"I had to look away at times: an 'allegedly' drunk/pilled-up Rachelle Rak"

Who alleges this, BrodyFosse? This is the first I've ever heard anything of that nature. It's a pretty serious charge to be casually flinging around a public message board, not to mention potentially libelous, especially if you don't have anything to back it up (and why would you want to do that?)

You were in error and consequently edited your post regarding your premature announcement of Jacque d'Amboise's death, and perhaps you'll consider doing the same for Ms Rak. That kind of talk can damage a person's career, not to mention their reputation.

I'm sure you didn't think at the time how serious an unwarranted and unverified accusation you were making. I've always appreciated your posts in the past and I like to think this just slipped out. I hope you take no offense at this, and I'll edit my post if you'll edit yours.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/26/09 at 12:53am

But public message boards are the places for anonymous mudslinging.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/26/09 at 1:30am

I have nothing but the upmost respect for Rachelle Rak and have enjoyed her work thru the years enormously (including her "I Gotcha" in FOSSE).

My 'allegedly' comment is what it is: allegedly. I'm not the only person around who is stating this regarding how she represented herself in the film though I may be the only one on this board that has. So far.

[raggballad2]

Posted: 5/28/09 at 5:47pm

so there's already a DVD...but it's in Japan only now!

http://www.broadway-movie.jp/dvd.html

[roquat]

Posted: 5/28/09 at 11:48pm

Is it explained in the movie why the music director didn't tell Charlotte D'Amboise that her vowels were unbearably nasal, piercing, and obnoxious?

"Give me a chance to come THREEEEWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!"

[wickedfan]

Posted: 5/28/09 at 11:52pm

Or why D'amboise sang in a higher key than Natascia Diaz? Or why Diaz wore a bob?

[roquat]

Posted: 5/28/09 at 11:55pm

Well, the original production changed the key of the song after Ann Reinking replaced Donna McKechnie, so I guess it's still available in either key, and it was up to their discretion...

[frankiemoo]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 10:48am

i liked this movie a lot. it really moved me. hearing the tapes was such a treat and seeing jason tam's paul audition was incredible.

[choruslinemademegay2]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 11:38am

I just saw the film at the Sydney Film Festival and loved it. It brought back to me the feeling of the first time I saw the musical - was I ten or eleven? - in a touring production in Canada.

I don't think Rachelle came off badly at all. She came off as funny, honest and talented, and had a bad final audition. I loved seeing J. Elaine Page and Yuki, and even Baayork's fierce possessiveness of the role. Nice to see that Elaine went on to do the role, and that Yuki is doing well, off touring with Rent.

Too bad to hear that Paul's performance wasn't as good as in the audition but aren't y'all super critical. His moment in the film was incredible. We were all crying in the audience. If he's got that in him, I'm sure he'll continue to be a success (currently in a soap opera I hear!).

Oh, and I loved Nastaschia even if Charlotte had the star quality to get the role. I hope she gets her break somewhere!

I loved this film! Can't wait for the DVD to come out with hopefully lots of extras.