Munk's A CHORUS LINE review- Page 2

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 4:30pm

And yes, Alisan Porter's mother played Bebe during the original run. I don't know her name or when she played the role, but she did.

[Magdalene]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 4:32pm

I'm glad to see someone else wanted to see again as soon as it was over---I really enjoyed it!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 4:43pm

"You mentioned most of the same problems with the show that I did after seeing the first preview. If they still haven't been fixed, I'm wondering whether a lot of the needed improvements (tempos, orchestrations, sound, performances) are going to be made at all."

Margo, those issues have been there since the first previews in SF and they haven't been fixed, so my guess is the creative team, unfortunately, don't see or agree with the problems.

I don't think Michael Berresse is too young to play Zach. Alot of the best people who ever played the role were only in their 20s. The character IS essentially Michael Bennett, afterall,who was only 31 when ACL was being created. The role just demands the type of wunderkind, arrogant charisma he projected. It's not about age - its about commanding authority.
Updated On: 9/28/06 at 04:43 PM

[Crazy4MattMorrison52]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 4:48pm

munk you were on the standing room line? i was too. but then got off it and paid full price around 7. i LOVED the show.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 4:51pm

I was the 4th one on line, with the blue shirt.

MB: I didn't mean that Berresse was too young, but that he came off as too young. He came off as an amateur director.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 6:18pm

Is the orchestra hidden behind the stage or is there a pit? I believe it was hidden next door or in the basement in San Francisco. I thought they sounded canned in SF, too.

Overall, I liked the production a lot, both throughout the years on Broadway, as well as some various tours and some regional productions which were also very good to awful. I still have my Playbill with the "The End of the Line" cover from the closing night. That was the best performance of the show that I've ever seen.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 6:21pm

Jimnysf, my tuxedo went to the last performance in 1990 (I lent it to a friend of mine to wear).

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 6:24pm

I have been searching around for a final performance playbill to purchase, as well as the record breaking performance. I have the 6000th New Year's Eve performance, as well as the OBC, but none of the middle events.

MattMorrison, where were you on line?

[jimnysf]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 6:24pm

Perhaps I sat next to your tuxedo?

I got my ticket by waiting in the cancellation line. I think I paid $100 cash at the box office for a $500 ticket in the orchestra section. It was a big event. CNN was there. WNBC. A lot of press and stars.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 6:56pm

I didn't even think about the cancelation line. I'm sorry I didn't try.

Updated On: 9/28/06 at 06:56 PM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 7:05pm

My feelings about the show are the polar opposite of most of yours, Munk, at least cast-wise. I thought Charlotte's one good moment was during the "One" audition. It was the only time she seemed to connect with the character for me. Her singing is functional, no more.

Jason Tam's monologue was interminable to me. He was completely disconnected, and then burst into heaving sobs. Didn't work for me at all.

I do agree about Berresse - he could have been stronger, and Goodwin was too one-note, although she was entertaining. Morales was weak, especially vocally. I loved Richie - he's a force, and Alisan Porter stood out as well.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 7:54pm

I didn't think Charlotte wasn't strong during the "One" scene, but I felt that the scene wasn't as good as it could have been because of Berresse.

When did you see the show? I didn't feel that Jason Tam was disconnected at all.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 7:58pm

I saw it last Friday.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 8:03pm

Rath, was there one moment in the show that you realized this production just wasn't doing it for you?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 8:11pm

I wouldn't say it wasn't "doing it" for me - I was just disappointed in some of the performances. I still loved it as a whole, if that makes sense.

And the performances that were good were very, very good. I do think there are better people out there for some of the main roles.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 8:14pm

thank you very much for the review, munk
i definitely want to see this now
i am especially glad to hear about Natalie Cortez and Mara Davi (or however you spell her name)- it makes me happy that they are doing really well, because i really love them after seeing those broadway.com videos- very cute!
:)
i hope i can see this in December
is it at tkts?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 8:14pm

Agreed, Rath.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 8:20pm

Thanks for clearing that up. I'm still looking forward to seeing it the next time I'm in town.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 8:21pm

No, bway, it won't be on TKTS for quite some time.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 8:22pm

that sucks
so all tickets, besides SRO, are full-price?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 8:27pm

Yes, and it's selling extremely well.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 8:29pm

well, now im not so sure i can see it with my family this New Years if we cant get discount and its selling well
wish i thought of that before we got our GREY GARDENS and LES MIS tickets...

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 9:06pm

Thank you, Munkustrap, for the review. I don't think I'll be seeing this show anyway. That theatre in Norwell is doing a production with the teen conservatory program and I think I'll stick to that and anticipate the fresh meat (Spring Awakening, The Pirate Queen, Grey Gardens, The Coast of Utopia)

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 9:13pm

Hmmm... amature teen version of ACL or a full scale Broadway revival?

I think I know which I would choose.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 9:16pm

Thank you for an thorough, honest wonderful review