Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?- Page 4

[phantom8019]

Posted: 9/5/06 at 7:32pm

I definitely agree there are some people who prefer to put up walls. There are people who fear their own emotions getting out if they open up to others. In my case, I just do not think it is well done. I can listen to an engaging character tell me a very boring story and be compelled. And then I can listen to an unengaging, poorly sketched character (caricature) pour his or her heart out, and my reaction would be "yawn."
Also, the drama "personalities," some people just get annoyed by that. I mean, there are problems, and then there are real problems, like cancer. I just don't really remember feeling any sense of urgency or importance when sitting through the monologues... I was just annoyed. I do not expect every character's problems to be a great big life-or-death struggle, but it could have, in my opinion, been done much better. I really scrutinize dialogue and characterization, and if some bad line or off-model behavior makes me cringe, it's like getting a bolt of lightning to the head.
Unfotunately, the closest example I can give you is Rent. Saw the show years ago, and hated it. I wanted to like it. I tried so hard. But I just could not relate to anyone, it felt like whining, and it was not the way I live. Really hated it. However, I tried the movie last year and was moved. It is not a great movie, but I certainly felt for the characters, and it was much more focused and fluid. It did not matter that I was not like anyone in the movie; I still felt for them.
I did not get that feeling with A Chorus Line. Maybe it needs me to give it a second chance... but again, I do not like the music, and that is one aspect I rarely can do a 180 on.

Updated On: 9/5/06 at 07:32 PM

[Kent]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 12:14am

I think that's a totally fair response. You don't seem to be in reaction, just acurately describing what you see and feel.

Sometimes people are just affected differently by certain material. I know some people are deeply moved by Rent. Personally I find it amateurish and sketchy. Trying way too hard to say way too much with way too broad a strokes.

I will say this about A Chorus Line: I think the specific production you see can make all the difference. I grew up listening to the cast album, but the first couple of times I saw the show (touring productions) I was VERY underwhelmed...in fact, I questioned the value of the show thinking maybe I had built it up into too much. But when I finally saw it on Broadway in 1985 (my first Broadway show) it blew me away. I was so moved, not just by the stories or characters, but the near perfection of Michael Bennett's vision and the absolutely artestry of the production that I could barely get out my seat afterwards. I was just a mess.

On a completly unrelated side note: During this same Broadway performance I also experienced one of the oddest audience behaviors I've ever personally witnessed. There was a middle-aged lady sitting in the row in front of me who held her program in her lap, a ball point pen in one hand, and a penlight in the other for the ENTIRETY of the performance. And I kid you not....after EVERY musical number she would open her program, click on the penlight, take her ball point pen and CHECK OFF THE SONG on the page that lists the musical numbers (like someone marking off their days left in prison). I think she was probably just neurotic/obsessive compulsive, but who knows -- maybe she too disliked the show that much :)

Updated On: 9/6/06 at 12:14 AM

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 11:37am

Is this for real????????????? Aren't they using the same "set"? Woa! This is ridiculous. What is the tryout for? I have to say this is a bigger waste of cash than Tarzan. I will not be wasting my money on this fleecing. Well unless Asslee Simpson stars.

[phantom8019]

Posted: 9/6/06 at 2:04pm

Hey Kent, thanks for writing all that. I appreciate it.

I understand it is an important show, and I appreicate how much it means to everyone. Lord knows I hate it when people trample on stuff that is important to me. I hope you guys all get to see it and that it moves you all over again.

As for myself, you are right, it is quite likely that I saw a bad production, which didn't help. I remember being so excited to see A Chorus Line (this was a few years ago), having really no idea what the show was about. I really did try to like it. I never go into something with my mind already made up (well, except a voting booth, ha ha).

Haha, and even though I thought the film of Rent was decent, I agree with your thoughts on the show 100%, espcially when you said "Trying way too hard to say way too much with way too broad a strokes".