NEW CHORUS LINE LEADS ANNOUNCED — Page 3

ok someone mentioned that 3 other actresses were up against Charlotte for Cassie, who were they???

dumb thought, but why dont they update the show - have the actors tell their own stories, not rehash some stories of previous actors...like i said, dumb idea.

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Well, the fact is according to the Tony committee, it's a Lead role. In 1976, McKechnie was classified in the Lead category and beat Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera (for Chicago) and Vivian Reed (for Bubbling Brown Sugar) for the Tony. D'Amboise presumably will be classified the same way for the 2007 awards.

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Donna McKechnie was 35 when she originally played Cassie.

Charlotte will be 42 in May (according to IMDb.com).

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The script I have listed Cassie as "around 32".

I'll say it again.

I cannot wait to see Charlotte again!

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The movie constantly cut to Michael Douglas emoting, reacting and flaring his nostrils at what was happening on stage, putting too much focus on him and away from the dancers and their stories which is what the show is all about. He should be a disembodied god-like vocal presence and have very limited physical interaction with the dancers. In the movie, it became the Michael Douglas show and screwed up the whole story.

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This is some amazing news. Charlotte surely deserves to open a show on Broadway finally. I think the fact Donna McKechnie was eligible for the Best Actress in a Musical category went against the concept of the show; it made some cast members upset (they were already a little mad Donna was the one getting much of the media attention)and it is rumored that Chita and Gwen Verdon were very upset as well. I'm sure D'Amboisse will be considered a leading actress as well although the Tony committee has been coming up with some strange decisions lately. She is so great for this role though, I'm sure she'll shine on stage.

The movie was NOT A Chorus Line. It was a modified, modernized mess.

In one of the better behind-the-scenes books out on ACL, they talk about how Neil Simon and Marsha Mason came in and offered suggestions to better the show... and Neil even served as a "ghost writer" for some of the jokier moments. (i.e., Sheila: "What do I want to be when I grow up? Young." Pure Simon.)

Marsha is very proud of two "notes" in particular she gave that were incorporated into the final show:

1) Cassie originally made a "late entrance" into the theatre after the audition had already started. Marsha (and Neil) both said that this was throwing too much of an emphasis on her character right from the start. The audience should begin to realize, as the show develops, that she and Zach have a history, and that Cassie is somewhat of a star and dancing legend. It should NOT be evident from a "look-at-me-I'm-late" entrance however.

2) That Cassie is cast in the show. Originally, she was not. Marsha found this terribly depressing at the end, and said you have to give the audience hope that they can go back and "start over" again, if they ever want or have to. It was a big “downer.”

Both changes were made. If ANYONE connected with the film had done a little research, they might have avoided #1, at least. I remember literally slapping my forehead when Cassie made a "late entrance" in the film. I kept thinking, “didn't they learn anything from the mistakes made and changed in the stage play?” Apparently not.

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Ahh okay, thanks for clearing that up for me

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Whoever asked, Charlotte opened in, and was nominated for, Jerome Robbin's Broadway.

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I think you're right that it was two-fold.

"Lock" the choices for who gets the gig... and make sure you pick Cassie... so we all don't go home depressed!

EDIT: I've actually heard Marsha herself talk about about the "make sure Cassie gets chosen" thing. But I think the book talks about both decisions coming out of their suggestions.

EDIT2: And Charlotte can be heard on the Jerome Robbins OBCR, singing "I'm Flying" (from Peter Pan) and other songs. Also, in the Broadway revival of Company... she played Donna McKechnie's part. You can hear her on the CR there, as well.

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Updated On: 1/27/06 at 03:47 PM

also, this is kind of cool: i work in a restaurant, and the other night all of a sudden, there was crazy cheering from the bar.....apparently this guy had JUST gotten the call that he had been chosen to be in bways A Chorus Line!!! Unfortunately, i couldnt tell who it was, but i am going to ask the bartender tonight :) Anyway, it was so cute and exciting to hear all his friends FREAKING OUT for him!

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they should be GREAT.
can't wait for this!