Reports/Speculation on A CHORUS LINE from SF

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/24/06 at 9:03am

Might as well start a thread for reader reviews who see the show in S.F. There are some opinions up on ATC about the first preview:

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=288400

EDIT: This thread has turned largely into a speculation/debate, and so I'm going to change the thread title to reflect that.

Updated On: 7/27/06 at 09:03 AM

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 7/24/06 at 9:22am

Exciting! Thank you for posting. Can't wait to read more!

"Goodwin was flawlewss..." "... great, but no greater than the rest..." ... I knew she would be

I would love to hear more about Charlotte.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 7/24/06 at 11:35am

Glad to hear the good reviews. From what people are saying Goodwin is the perfect Sheila. YES!!! Let's hope whatever kinks there are, it all gets fixed before it comes to Broadway.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 7/24/06 at 11:48am

"Let's hope whatever kinks there are, it all gets fixed before it comes to Broadway.".

Let's not be selfish. I hope that 'whatever kinks there are' get fixed before the official opening in SF! $90 is the top ticket price and that is almost the same as Broadway.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 7/24/06 at 11:55am

i'm really excited for more chat about this!

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 7/24/06 at 12:16pm

My cousin saw the show in San Francisco, and I got this e-mail from him:

"Just saw A Chorus Line last night, and figured you'd want to hear about it! I think it was pretty good btu then again you know how critical I am, so my pretty good is really a damn good!! You'd love it though, I know that for sure. Go see it when it goes to New York, because I bet it will be just as good. Everyone in the cast was good too, with the exception of the girl playing Cassie and the guy playing the husband [I assume, Tony Yazbeck playing Al]. They were probably the only two I didn't like. I dont know why, but something bothered me. Anyways, enjoy your NYC trip, and make sure you go back to see ACL! Talk to you later!!"

Interesting. I can see Tony being a weak link, but Charlotte... well, you never know. A part might not be right for someone. I'm sure he's wrong. Oh well, can't wait to see it!

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 7/24/06 at 12:41pm

Thanks to the Internet we've all become critics....I'm still not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing.

[Depaultheatrekid]

Posted: 7/24/06 at 2:49pm

"One of the problems with our profession is that every laymen considers himself a valid critic" Uta Hagen

[It's All Good]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 1:12am

In a nutshell: I saw it last night. I thought it was pretty good. The cast was definitely nervous and I heard a cracked note or two which I guess was not surprising b/c I found most of the singing to be underwhelming (I think Maggie and Bebe had the most solid voices). The dancing, on the other hand, was amazing. That was when the production came alive. Suddenly the energy became palpable and you could really see the joy on everyone's faces. Michael Beresse's Zach was much kinder than any I have seen previously, but I think it was an ok choice. I wouldn't have minded a little more edge but perhaps that will be added with time. Overall, a good start and it only gets better from here. Oh, and Deidre Goodwin was definitely a standout.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 1:46am

How was d'Amboise?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 2:24am

Could someone please post who the standbys are? Thanks!

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 2:48am

MICHELLE ARAVENA (Tricia; u/s Maggie, Diana, Bebe & Connie).

DAVID BAUM (Roy; u/s Mike, Al, Bobby, Greg)

MIKE CANNON (Tom; u/s Mark, Mike, Al)

E. CLAYTON CORNELIOUS (Butch; u/s Richie)

JOEY DUDDING (Swing; u/s Paul)

LYNDY FRANKLIN (Swing)

NADINE ISENEGGER (Lois; u/s Cassie, Val)

PAMELA JORDAN (Standby Judy, Sheila, Kristine, Val)

LORIN LATARRO (Vicki; u/s Diana, Shelia, Judy)

GRANT TURNER (Frank; u/s Zach, Larry, Don)

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 2:51am

Ah, awesome. Thanks!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 8:54am

A friend of mine saw the show last night and thought it was just okay. A solid production, but not really the exhilerating experience it should be; he said the cast lacked "hunger." He loved Deidre Goodwin, and thought, unfortunately that D'Amboise was the weak link. He actually did not like that Michael Beresse's Zach was so warm, but he assumed that was a directorial choice.

I'm sure the show will improve as it goes on...

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 9:02am

So much for recreating the "magic."

I hope it improves out of town.

Updated On: 7/25/06 at 09:02 AM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 9:18am

d'Amboise the weak link....
Interesting , but not too surprising.

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 9:37am

Having not seen this production yet...

My biggest problem with d'Amboise is that she is too "earthy" for Cassie... and not really classy enough for the part. Cassie has a certain poise and sophistication that the other dancers on stage shouldn't have, in addition to her honesty and incredible ability... at least she did when McKechnie played her (and one or two others I saw in the tour).

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 9:43am

Well, the problem my friend had with D'Amboise was that she just didn't seem to be connecting to any of the elements of her character. He said she sounded uncomfortable with the song, that her scene work was unconvincing and that the choreography, at least for MUSIC AND THE MIRROR just didn't seem organic to her.

To be fair, if they are using the original choreography, I'm not sure that the choreography for MATM has ever "really" worked for anyone other than Donna McKechnie, who had a very unusual line and style (she is said to have danced from the "waist up" - and D'Amboise is all legs.) Perhaps they need to tailor the dance more for her strengths.

I'm sure D'Amboise will improve as the run goes on, but as much as her own life parallels Cassie, she might not ultimately have been ideal for the role.

I'm excited to see for myself August 5.

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 9:53am

So, isn't that like hiring a jazz singer to sing opera? (or a ballerina to dance Fosse's steps?)

They should have found a better fit for this role, it sounds like. With all the talented dancers out there, I'm sure they could find ONE that could emulate and nail McKechnie's style.

d'Amboise is very talented, and hopefully she will grow into the part. But if it's a bad fit, she may only be able to go so far with it.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 10:03am

Bennett did alter the song keys and choreography for McKechnie's replacement, Ann Reinking, who is much more in the D'Amboise mode, and she was supposedly brilliant in the role, which indicates to me, it isn't just about recreating McKechnie's performance. Personally, I think its about star quality.

I think D'Amboise is so loved in the theatrical community and has so many true life parallels to the character of Cassie that the creative team probably found it hard to resist giving her this role. She has deserved a break out role for a long time.

There is often danger in casting based on sentimentality, though, and perhaps D'Amboise was too "easy" a choice. But perhaps early struggle with the role will really push D'Amboise, and she'll break through to some exciting new layers.

And before people chime in about "bashing" performers in an out of town try out; please note the tone of the conversation: watching a performer struggle and grow in a role is a fascinating part of the theatrical experience. I think we are all hoping for the show and its cast to find their true inner gypsy.
Updated On: 7/25/06 at 10:03 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 10:09am

Well, if Bennett was willing to alter the song keys and choreography for Reinking, why wouldn't Lee be willing do the same thing now for d'Amboise?

EDIT: See the problem is the current creative team needs to pick ONE: Either cast d'Amboise and go with her talents and abilities, tailoring the part to her own unique strengths... or if you're doing the original show as conceived, written and choreographed, then you seek out a dancer/singer/actress that fits that very specific mold. You can't have both. And there has GOT to be at least one dancer out of the thousands in the world that can play Cassie with the "McKechnie" style.

Updated On: 7/25/06 at 10:09 AM

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 11:31am

Thats what I've been most eager to see, d'Amboises portrayal of Cassie. Having been familiar with some of her past work, it just doesn't seem like a role that you would think of for this woman. I am very excited to see it on August 6th and will have a full review.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 11:40am

This makes me sad I can't imagine Charlotte as the weak link as Cassie in ACL. It seems so perfect. I was soooo excited ot hear she'd been cast as Cassie... Oh well *sigh* I'll see for myself on October 26th

[ACL2006]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 11:50am

I really think she'll get better. Just give her time. Everyone keeps saying that Goodwin is outstanding! I'm so happy for her. I have faith that ACL will be much better when it comes to NYC.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 12:32pm

I am glad to hear that Goodwin is a standout. She is spectacular and deserves a great role!

I too hope that d'Amboise improves (which I am sure she will.) The few reviews on ATC that mentioned her also said she was the weak link.