I Know It's Been Reviewed Several Times But... (A Chorus Line)

[oxdreaminxo]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 12:47am

Haven't posted on BWW in a long time and figured a review would be a good place to jump back in. I was fortunate to see A Chorus Line this past Saturday, and it made me remember why I love doing (and seeing) shows (but more about that later).

First of all, the show itself is amazing. I purchased the Cast Recording when it came out as a friend of mine thought I'd enjoy it and I was, as most theatre kids are, familiar with the plot, so I gave it a shot. Even listening to the CD gave me that 'theatre buzz' I get when seeing a show, so when asked when I wanted for the holidays, tix to see it was the obvious choice.

I sat in row H on the left of the Orchestra (amazing seats, I must say, though the theater appears to be one where any seat is a good seat); as soon as the pre-show announcement began I began smiling and I must say I didn't stop.

I have never seen a more 'on' cast as I did. And I've never seen a matinee so packed. The house was completely filled, and the audience was pretty cool in itself. But enough rambling, here's a quick review about the actors.

Nadine Isenegger (Cassie): I really enjoyed her performance. Her acting was amazing, and going into the show knowing the relationship between Cassie and Zach, I was completely thrilled to see the look of shock when she first sees Zach. Simply loved her acting and emotion, and I really felt for her during "The Music and the Mirror". Her dancing was, of course, stellar. Her voice itself was pretty good, but her acting was much better.

Grant Turner (Zach): I don't know how to word this, but he sounded like a real person... like he wasn't acting at all. He definitely owned his character, and he was just awesome in general.

Eric Sciotto (Larry): I liked his dancing lots :]

Natalie Cortez (Diana): She was by far my favourite actress in the show. She was absolutely hysterical with the "over-tapping" when they say they can't hear her tapping. And admittedly, Diana is my favourite character, but she was, in my opinion, one of the better actresses I've seen in any show, and I intend on seeing anything else she plans on doing.

Dena DiGiancinto (Bebe): She seemed so akward and Bebe like, but in a cute/good way.

Jessica Lee Goldyn (Val): Hysterical. She was so funny, I laughed every time she did her little parts about not growing boobs. Awesome.

Deidre Goodwin (Sheila): Fantastic. She played Sheila so tough and so sexual, and towards the end she became a bit more vulnerable when 'putting herself on the line'. Amazing.

Michael Gruber (Greg): I really liked his dancing. They were all great dancers, and he was exceptional.

Bryan R. Knowlton (Paul): I feel embarrassed for saying this, but for those who secretly watch Degrassi late at night, doesn't Paul remind you of Marco? Anyway. I thought he was amazing. He didn't make Paul all self-pitying and sniveling (I saw someone play him that way in a local production and wasn't a fan). He was amazing.

James T. Lane (Richie): "Gimmie the Ball" is fantastic, and he had so much ENERGY! It seemed liked he was high off of life, and was really excellent.

Melissa Lone (Maggie): When she hit those notes in "At the Ballet", I got mad chills. She was great.

J. Elaine Marcos (Connie): She was so quirky on stage, she just had these little mannerisms that were really cute.

Paul McGill (Mark): He had a great voice, and it was kinda cool 'cause he's only a year or two older than I am.

Heather Parcells (Judy): She was so great, I love the spazzy-ness that is Judy.

Jason Patrick Sands (Don): I loved his mannerisms when he was talking about his affair with the stripper. They made me laugh.

Jeffrey Schecter (Mike): Looking at him one wouldn't think he had such a high voice, and then he sang and he did and it kinda threw me off. I really liked him though.

Will Taylor (Bobby): Stunning and hysterical. I laughed so hard I was crying, Bobby is a great character and Will Taylor was amazing at playing him.

Katherine Tokarz (Kristine): She seemed so out of place and spacey, and was in-character the whole time.

Kevin Worley (Al): I loved watching him 'put up' with Kristine, he was so patient with her in a sarcastic way.


Eep, my reviews always get so wordy. Kudos to anyone who reads it through xD. But yes, if any of you haven't seen A Chorus Line (especially if you are a theatre person such as myself), you really should go. It reminds you why you do what you do, and it really makes you think, especially during "What I Did for Love" (which almost made me cry *never cries*).

See it!


Peace out.

[blaxx]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 12:50am

Good review, thanks!

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 9:36am

It seemed liked he was high off of life

Don't ask why, but that made me laugh.

I agree with you on everything except Nadine Issenegger. I liked her as Val but was not a fan of her Cassie.

Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed the show!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 9:42am

Wow, Michael Gruber? I love the guy but isn't he a wee bit long in the tooth for this show?

[WestVillage]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 9:52am

Michael certainly doesn't come off as 30, and when he says his age, its done very tongue in cheek and with a wink. Its as if he's saying he's 30 just to "fit in" with the rest of the line, but knowing full well that Zach knows he's much older than that. He makes it work, and yes, he is one of the better dancers in the show (but then, he is the only person in the revival who ever appeared in the original run).

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 10:48am

Thanks for your review! Glad you had a nice time!

[Trish2]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 12:31pm

May i ask how the TDF seats are for this show?

[Marway44]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 1:08pm

I noticed the review said Grant Turner played Zach. Was Michael out or is taking a leave of absence? Anybody know? I would like to see Grant as Zach (or anybody else). I saw Michael 3 times and twice he "walked through" the performance.

THANKS!

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 1:11pm

I think Michael is taking some sort of leave to do something in LA but I'm not sure.

[princessem721]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 3:05pm

Michael was filming a movie in LA, so Grant and Michael Gruber took turns playing Zack. Mario Lopez is going into the show in April.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 3:27pm

I think Mario will be great!

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 3:29pm

Mario Lopez is going into the show in April.

You're messing with us, right?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 1:13pm

Please say that you're lying about Lopez entering the show!!!

oh, and A Chorus Line always seems to pack'em in on the weekends(Sat. & Sun.). It's Tue.-Thur. that the house is about half full lately.

Updated On: 3/3/08 at 01:13 PM

[folkyboy]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 1:49pm

woah who is Mario Lopez gonna play?!

[winter_sky]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 2:23pm

I've heard from a few cast members that Mario Lopez was going to play Zach while Michael is in LA shooting a movie with Russell Crowe.

With the amount of people who grew up on Saved by the Bell, it could be a really good stunt cast for them. My major concern... Mario still looks pretty young, it's going to look really off with Charlotte.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 2:30pm

Is Berrese back now? I'm hoping not, sounds like the understudy is so much better.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 2:40pm

Great review and I too would love to know who Mario will be playing. I thought that was only "rumor" or that his deak feekl through...

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 2:52pm

Zach is such a minor role in ACL. To me, it doesn't really matter who plays him, as long as he can do the opening, and look the part.

Do any of you know how long Ms. D'Amboise plans to remain in the show?

[LittlexFallxOfxRain]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 9:03pm

I personally didn't enjoy Chorus Line that much. I didn't hate it, but it really didn't live up to my expectations. The cast was great, I just am not a fan of the show itself.