Stratford's Chorus Line - New Choreography

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 5/7/16 at 1:04pm

No comments on the Gimme the Ball clip from Stratford's ACL--apparently the first official time a licensed production has been allowed to not use the Bennett choreography?  

I admit to being a traditionalist when it comes to choreo and feeling that with certain shows the choreographic text is as integral as the dialogue or music text (I mean have any of the Sweet Charity revivals with new choreography made a case for not using the Fosse?). 

In this case my reaction is "why bother?"  The new choreography essentially communicates the same as the original choreo but less cleanly and effectively. Compare the BWW clip with the last two minutes of this video of the revival https://youtu.be/AqQAPcuuiP0

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 5/7/16 at 1:19pm

While I agree this choreography looks more athletic than inspired, I don't think you would necessarily want to do the original choreography in the festival theater because of it's configuration. I'm seeing the show in a few months and I wonder if it might play better in that setting than it does on video. 

Updated On: 5/7/16 at 01:19 PM

[Tag]

Posted: 5/7/16 at 1:22pm

And here's the actual trailer which I don't think was posted here yet.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/7/16 at 1:31pm

I think you have to think about it as a business decision by the estate of Michael Bennett. The last bway revival proved that it just doesn't excite the way it did in the 70's and the 80's. In order for the show to remain relevant in the modern theater world (which the story still is and still should be told) they need to loosen up on how it can be staged.  Not saying its better without Bennett's choreo, but they want it to be viable  for profession productions across the entire world and it would be most attractive now as a show that could be re imagined.

[sing_dance_love]

Posted: 5/7/16 at 1:55pm

Totally hear what you're saying, but I think the problem for many in the last revival was a general feeling of roboticism that went beyond it just being the traditional staging. I think it most certainly can be cast, directed, and performed with freshness, classic choreography included. I've been a part of many productions of A Chorus Line and it's a piece that loves so much in the emotion- I think it really depends on the cast's connection to the material, each other, and the director's trust in allowing them to find that emotion (and connection to the movement) in ways that are true to them- not what previous casts have done before.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 5/7/16 at 2:01pm

I think that's fair, and while I am a traditionalist I admit, with the original staging so well preserved especially in this case, I am not adverse to the opportunity for takes being allowed. I guess for me this looks too close to the original just not as effective--hence the "why bother". I saw the revival on tour--at the time it was still running on Broadway but with Mario Lopez I think I saw the better cast lol. I found it thrilling but of course I was too young to see the original. That said I am not sure a new production would have run longer on Broadway than the recreation. 

Fair point about the thrust stage. They did do a good job adapting Robbins' WSS choreo for it but that dancing is arguably more, for lack of a better term, thrust forward than Bennett's ACL for obvious reasons. 

Thanks for the link Tag!  I suspect in a few minutes BWW will post it on their news feed as something they just discovered ??

 

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 5/7/16 at 2:08pm

That trailer shows some of the Bennett choreo being used--at least in the opening combo and One which isn't surprising. 

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 5/7/16 at 3:57pm

I'll have an ice cream sundae--but hold the ice cream.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 5/7/16 at 7:57pm

The Fulton Theater(PA) in 2013 didn't use the Bennett choreography either.

 

https://youtu.be/-yxZIJ3BL6Q

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 5/7/16 at 8:08pm

Apparently that production is no longer official?  :P  Was that the one a year or two ago that actually completely re-conceived numbers?