My thoughts on A CHORUS LINE in SF (8.23.06)- Page 2

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 2:35pm

Michael Bennet- What is your history with the show? (If you don't mind my asking)

Also what did you think of the cast overall? How did they compare to the original?

Edit: Also, if you went to the show last night and had never seen the original, what would you have thought. In other words rather then comparing it to the original, what did you think of the show?
Updated On: 8/24/06 at 02:35 PM

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 2:40pm

MB - I have a feeling that all the original line members that are still around don't really want anything to do with the revival. I feel that they support the show and will see it but as far as aiding in bringing it to "life" my gut tells me that they have all been there and done that and paid the therapy bills so, there is no desire to return to it. I can only imagine how hard it would be to do so.

PS: Fab review!

[gcal]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 3:43pm

I was there last night as well. It was my first time seeing the show after the Opening Night performance. Opening night, we were all MUCH more familiar with the show- we applauded EVERYTHING "iconic"- to the point where the show ran 20 minutes longer than it did last night. I could tell people were seeing it for the first time- and they loved it.

Part of me thinks the music and the mirror applause were longer last night... Charlotte has grown in the acting and vocals a LOT since opening. I'm familiar with Donna's dance... the only part where I thought Charlotte looked really AWKWARD was when she was dancing on the line from SL to SR at the end. Just didn't fit her. But she dances the **** out of it as best she can.

MB- thoughts on Heather as Judy? She was one of my favorites both times.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 3:52pm

Heather Parcells is a delight. Vocally, the entire cast is strong and I think the new Broadway cast recording is going to be great.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 3:54pm

Awesome review. Having never seen a staged production of this show, I'm very excited for the revival.

[Anna_Elizabeth]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 4:16pm

Great review and agree wholeheartedly. I saw the show about a week ago for the first time. I've never listened to the original recording or saw the movie. I know the songs and the plot, but the show just left me feeling empty. I loved the actors vocals, but even I could tell they were just doing movements and not feeling the passion of the piece yet.

[sideshow13]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 4:34pm

"Chryssie Whitehead finds new and unexpected hilarity as tone deaf Kristine"

I love Chryssie! She was my ballet and jazz teacher at school and she is one of the most beautiful and inspirational people I've ever met! I'm so happy she's doing this!

Great review!

[Phantom2]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 6:36pm

What did you think of Mr. Hanes?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 8:27pm

Hanes is a terrific dancer. He also has a new blond bob hairdo that makes him look a lot like...Charlotte D'Amboise.

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 8:36pm

Michael Bennett, you seem to know so very much about all aspects of A CHORUS LINE. What is your connection with it?

[dtchgrl618]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 6:36pm

Saw the show last week (Wed. matinee) and boy, after all the built up of "finally getting to see ACL on stage", was I disappointed. I sincerely hope that they will tweak Ms. D'Amboise choreography. What I understand is supposed to be a desperate showing of ability with near flawless execution of the choreography, turned into a rather flat, with no energy whatsoever, dance number that I desperately wanted to end. Throughout the entire show it seemed that Ms. D'Amboise seemed as if she was not quite there and I couldn't help but wonder if she was ill or something. Otherwise I was impressed by the rest of the cast and I did enjoy seeing the show, although I am concerned what may happen when it hits New York and other people with high expectations go see it. I just had envisioned Cassie to be an absolute stand out, knowing Ms. D'Amboise reputation.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 6:54pm

I just wanted to say, awesome review, MB! Very thought-out, and I only wish I could write a review like that!
Anyhow, I really can't wait to see this in New York. I hope the necessary tweaks are made, and everything.
But I am glad to hear Charlotte is doing great as Cassie- just that dance needs to be re-worked, and she could possibly be a Tony contender. Anyone think so?

[Petra]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 7:48pm

Thank you for sharing your review.

I am nervously awaiting the night I see it in New York. I have such fond memories of the original cast that I'm a bit nervous about how this show will live up to the original. But, I'm excited that it will be available to new audiences and new generations.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 11:23pm

As much as I'd like to see ACL win as many Tony's as possible, Christine Ebersole(Grey Gardens) is a given, and no other leading actress has a chance at winning the Tony unfortunately.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 12:17am

Fascinating review Micheal Bennett! I've been reading the new edition of "On the Line" the story of "A Chorus Line" and I get the impression u are correct about Lee. ACL seems to have turned into her life's work as a "keeper of the flame" and having been a part of it from the beginning who would dare to argue w her?( Including Avian) I get a sense almost of a frozen in amber work.
I also wonder- could there be any restrictions on what you can/can't do w the choreography, as for example w the Robbins works?
But I will still go - my memories of the show are still vivid: weeping @ "At the Ballet", the incred technique in Music and the Mirror and that LOOK- Sheila gives at the end!

[andyf]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 12:35am

Updated On: 8/28/06 at 12:35 AM

[Harpo]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 12:52am

Wow,wow, wow, Michael Bennett, that was an engrossing review.

ACL was my first love, theatrically speaking, and there is nothing like a first love...maybe that is why I haven't bought tickets yet and am behaving as if this is some sort of reunion that might tarnish my perfect memories.

However, just as I will do with 'Evita' next week, I will TRY to see ACL with fresh eyes. Just don't know if I will succeed.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 1:22am

They might try to push D'Amboise for supporting actress. True McKechnie won for leading, but actors are often put into different catagories in revivals: Christine Ebersole, in fact, won a Tony for leading actress for 42nd STREET while Tammy Grimes was in the supporting catagory for the same role in the original production.

Christine Ebersole is of course the far out ahead frontrunner for the Best Actress Tony, but there is always a bit of peril in being in such a position. She won't be eligible for a lot of the precursor awards this year, and there is always the possibility the show won't run until the Tonys or that her buzz won't be able to sustain a solid year of hype.

I wouldn't bet against her at this point, but rule of the trade is "nobody knows anything" - the season has barely started; there could be some real surprises by the end.

[andyf]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 1:29am

And hopefully Ebersole will lose and we'll all be even from the travesty that transpired in 2001.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 3:22am

Good god, MB, that review should run in the NY Times.

Excellent writing and wonderful insights!

I am very nervous about seeing the revival...even more so after your review. The original is branded into my memory, and I worry that something "too faithful" to it will only draw comparisons or--even worse--appear to lack heart.

When I saw the original production with the original cast, I was 17 and felt that I had witnessed an historical moment in musical theatre. (Had been seeing bway shows for 14 years at that point!) I hope I am transported to that place of wonder and astonishment...and not left feeling old and vacant.

BTW, I played that 8-Track in my car a thousand times...I can still hear the fade out into the next track--with the loud turning and clicking sound--during "At The Ballet"! Anyone else remember that?

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 8:24pm

Now what would be interesting is to see if Charlotte D'Amboise and Deidre Goodwin get both nominated as Best Featured Actress in a Musical who would win between them and the other three nominees of course?

[justme2]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 3:09pm

Here's a review from someone with no history with the show, no fond memories of the 70's original, no expectations going in to the theater...nothing.

I saw it last night at the Curran with a sold out and extremely appreciative audience. 6 rows from stage, right. Absolutely perfect behaviour, for once. No phones, no talking.

WOW.

What a fantastic piece of theater. The emotions from the actors, from Paul to Cassie to Bebe to Sheila were spot on. You felt their tension and pain throughout the audition process. The stories were heartbreaking and hilarious, and the solo numbers for At the Ballet and Tits and Ass were two fast favorites.

Which brings me to the highlight of the show, Music and the Mirrors with d'Amboise. My god, that woman can dance. From 6 rows back, you could see every step, turn and move ripple through her body, and I was impressed. The audience gave her end of number and exit applause for that one, as well we should have. Her begging preceding this number was heartbreaking as well. No complaints in any category for this actress.

Having never seen any incarnation of this show, I am glad I stayed away from review threads on this board before seeing it. The ending was great, and worked so well for the audience. The silence in the theater during those final tense seconds was deafening. As it should be. No one shouting out "keep them all" as reported on opening night here.

I am trying to remember things that stick out as more memorable than others, and it's hard. The entire show was a highlight for me. At the end of the evening, I had no complaints, which is unusual. All voices seemed right for each part, and everyone was great.

One question though...when the "kids" come back to the stage to sing the number with the hats, why doesn't Cassie have one? Is it to pull focus onto her as she struggles to fit in with the chorus (which was my guess)?

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 6:07pm

justme2 --- Thanks for weighing in. I'm really glad you liked the show so much.

As for your hat question... maybe it's been too long for me, but I don't remember Cassie not having a hat for the "One" rehearsal scene.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 6:10pm

She doesn't have it at first, and only gets one the second time during the run through.

[justme2]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 6:19pm

Yeah, that's right! She's making the moves with the hat as they first run through it. Then, when they get into the groups and Zach starts humiliating her by picking at her every move, she is given the hat by another line member.

Best12...I gotta say, this was a great experience for me. The show was fantastic and I hope it does well in NY. There are still scores of people, like me, who had never seen it and need to.