Reports/Speculation on A CHORUS LINE from SF

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.

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"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.

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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!

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

How was d'Amboise?

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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)

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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...

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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