a CHORUS LINE thought

[musicalkid]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 7:13pm

i really like (no more) a CHORUS LINE, but i think that this is a musical that should not have a revival.

why?

i think it's just TOO dated. anything it has to say has been said and refined. it was really innovative and new for it's time, but now will prove to be quite lacklustre and dull.
don't get me wrong it was a goodmusical for it's time- but unlike other period/sophisticated musicals, IMHO it's time has passed.

A CRAZY THOUGHT-
maybe an updated (do not kill a fellow musical lover) version of the show might work better. e.g. current pop culture references, working so hard while american idol transforms nobodies into celebs, the love of musicals in a decadent broadway...
i said CRAZY- but these are the REAL things that are in dancers and actor's lives TODAY.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 7:15pm

I'm sure there will be a few lyrics changes (ie- Rob Goulet out, Steve McQueen in!) But, the basic concept of the show, that of being on the line, can never be outdated.

Updated On: 4/29/06 at 07:15 PM

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 7:16pm

is it ROB Goulet... or am i just on smack?

edit: i think that a little updating is necessary. but i don't think a total overhaul will work

Updated On: 4/29/06 at 07:16 PM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 7:20pm

Dated? Just because it doesn't take place now doesn't mean it is dated. I would defy anyone not to find a piece of themselves in any of the dancers in the show. The themes of insecurity, failure, and perseverance are universal and timeless.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 7:23pm

(Caroline- lol- I think I'm the one on smack! It is!)

[musicalkid]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 7:26pm

yes. but the same things about human nature have been already said, and better put, in a myriad of other forms. and the actual substance of the dancers' life is just not as innovative is it was thirty years ago, and not at all as insightful today as than.

the fact that it was written WITH the actual dancers, portrating they're true and actual enthusiasm and strife is great and powerful- but obly emphesizes, just how this musical was personal and true to it's time, and not a masterpiece for all eternity.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 7:30pm

"yes. but the same things about human nature have been already said, and better put, in a myriad of other forms."

Specific examples?

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 7:31pm

i think we can BOTH be on smack.

i thought a YAGMCB song was entitled Supertime. not Suppertime.

i'm an idiot

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 7:38pm

What themes hasn't theatre touched on again and again?

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 10:11pm

As excited as everyone is, I still think they should have left a few more years go by for a revival - I think it would have been more interesting, as I'm afraid the revival could bring a reaction of "Sooo, what was so great about this show???".
Still, a very good musical as it is.

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 11:55pm

During the original run, they used to update the references. But when the state of musical theater changed too much (like someone talking about seeing Gwen Verdon perform when she hadn't done so in sixteen or so years), the producers decided to put all the reference back to the original script and have the Playbill say that the play is set in 1975 (instead of "today" as it originally said).

[Kringas]

Posted: 4/30/06 at 12:33am

yes. but the same things about human nature have been already said

The themes in A Chorus Line may be universal, but at it's core it's really a valentine to Broadway gypsies. Nothing else since has captured their experience like A Chorus Line does.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 4/30/06 at 12:45am

I agree, Kringas. Amen

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/30/06 at 12:53am

No updating or revising should be done. It would be a disastersous decision. Absolutely unnecessary and terrible.

[mateo]

Posted: 4/30/06 at 1:18am

Amen Kringas!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/30/06 at 1:32am

I kinda see what you mean about being dated. I don't think the show itself is dated at all. The themes, etc. are still common today. However, the look of the show is very 70s. The spinning glass panels and costumes just reek of 70s-ness. I know many people don't see a need for change, but what is the point of a revival if it doesn't add anything new to the source material? Wasn't everyone applauding Doyle's Sweeney Todd for being so innovative? Why not try something new with this show. I'm not talking about the actors playing instruments, or a completley stylized production, but maybe just updating the look. So that the gen-x crowd can relate to the characters the way people did when it first opened.

[Racetrack]

Posted: 4/30/06 at 1:37am

I agree with Bobby and everyone else. I think the revival could be great and just because it's set in the seventies doesn't mean the references need to be changed. I think any person would understand that it's set at a different point in time and it's fine. It's not that hard.

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 4/30/06 at 3:35pm

Keep in mind that for many people "A Chorus Line" is a beloved show. I know guys who will go to see almost any production of it.
(I'm not one of them. The "I love A Chorus Line"-gene is the one gay gene I didn't get. I'm more of a "Chicago" guy.)
(But that's story, nevermind, anyway...)
But, if they altered "A Chorus Line", you would have millions of angry queens (of "a certain age",true) bad-mouthing it.

Another thing is that the show is so site specific that...what could you do to it? And the show is, quite possibly, the original "stripped down" show. One line on the stage and a bunch of dancers, that's it. The only thing you could do is make it more elaborate.

[mateo]

Posted: 4/30/06 at 3:44pm

LOL I have the ACL gene.

I drag my friends to any I find.

I am so glad that back in '04 I went to Cal State Fullerton to see it... where i saw Mara Davi play cassie.. cant wait to see her on Broadway.

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 4/30/06 at 3:58pm

I think that so much has happened since to the theater Community since 1975 that the only way to update the show would be to scrap the whole thing and start over. It’s not madlibs you can’t just insert a new cultural reference here and there. Plus part of A Chorus Lines revivals appeal is that it will be like the original.

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 4/30/06 at 6:06pm

A Chorus Line should NEVER be updated or changed in anyway! It's so perfect as it is! As far as I know, Shiki Productions (in Japan) has done this show several times (including right now) and they have changed nothing!

Updated On: 4/30/06 at 06:06 PM

[mateo]

Posted: 4/30/06 at 6:08pm

yay shiki!


its my dream to see it there!

[dna3003]

Posted: 4/30/06 at 6:44pm

I am very glad that they are not updating the show at all. I was also worried though that since they decided to set it in the 70's, that it would be done in somewhat of a cartoon unauthentic way but my fears were eased when I saw the video introducing the new cast. I can't wait to see it in SF July 28!

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 4/30/06 at 7:17pm

Just watched the video with the new cast- the energy seems electric, and everyone is so genuine. I felt like i was going to cry by the end of the video. I can't wait to experience and embrace this show on Broadway like so many theater folk before me have!!!

[princessem721]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 4:17pm

The entire cast is ecstatic to be doing this show. All of them have the best energy and they get along well even though they all just met. Plus, a few of the cast members are making their Broadway debut. Can you think of a better show for a dancer to make their debut in??