Everything was beautiful
A Chorus Line was simply as spectacular as I could expect, and I marveled at every aspect of it all.
To begin with, the singing abilities of the actor/dancers as a whole was far superior to the singing abilities of those in the original cast. Their harmonies together in "What I Did for Love" were strong, in unison and very unique. The voices as individuals were each very strong and distinguishable, reflecting their personalities through not only their movements, but their songs. The only person who I didn't like, singing-wise, was the woman who played Val; her voice reminded me of the character Lena Lemont from "Singing in the Rain" because she'd become so squeaky and strained that it hurt. I think it was her vibratto, but it just sounded really strained.
I loved the characters of Cassie and Diana above the rest; their singing voices were very powerful, and their characters were strong and full of integrity with determination. Sheila's character was like that as well, but with a gritty attitude that often rubbed the wrong way. But the character Paul, whose past as a drag-queen in New York, had the most riveting story and ironically, it was the only one not told through song and dance. The fact that he was always struggling with himself, and always fearful and ashamed of who he was demonstrated so much, that it was really disheartening as an audience member when he fell and therefore could not achieve the part.
The choreography, lighting and sound were all wonderful, and I knew that the choreography was as true to the original production. The lighting was very unique, since it acted as the only source of change and spectacle within the show. Whenever the cast returned from conveying anothe level of their character (such as in a number) they would return to the white line at center stage and be overwhelmed by an unflattering white light from above. Yet, during the numbers, the lights became colorful, and used blends such as green and red in a contrast which beautifully complimented the movements of all the dancers.
As for who makes it and who doesn't, I was surprised that the vivacious, often too-sassy Sheila doesn't make it, while the underdeveloped character Richie does. I'm not a dancer, however, so perhaps my judgments aren't whole enough to make that final decision. After all, their dance is the most crucial aspect as opposed to individual character.
These people chosen aren't planned to be the leads in this fictional show (within the show), but rather montonous, stifled, background members of the chorus line, who compliment the shining leads. It's the fact of the business, and all have come to terms with it, especially Cassie, whose brilliance as a dancer clearly shines purposefully above the rest. She has always wanted to dance, and doesn't even let her ex-boyfriend, the director of this new show, Zach, try and push her from where she truly wants to be. it's clear to all that Cassie has more potential than any of them, and more individuality in her dance. Zach always saw that, and even as Cassie stands for her audtiion, he tries to tell her to try for a bigger role elsewhere. But all Cassie wants is to dance, not to be a star. She possesses the heart of the generic dancer, actor, or any passionate worker. Her work is her life.
Overall, the fact that I've been animatedly discussing the aspects of the show, as opposed to the production itself seems to make it clear to me that this was a fantastic show. I absolutely loved it - it wasn't stereotypical with its characters, nor outdated. The theatre aspects were out of thise world, and as a whole, it's clear this is another musical to add to my favorites list.
To begin with, the singing abilities of the actor/dancers as a whole was far superior to the singing abilities of those in the original cast. Their harmonies together in "What I Did for Love" were strong, in unison and very unique. The voices as individuals were each very strong and distinguishable, reflecting their personalities through not only their movements, but their songs. The only person who I didn't like, singing-wise, was the woman who played Val; her voice reminded me of the character Lena Lemont from "Singing in the Rain" because she'd become so squeaky and strained that it hurt. I think it was her vibratto, but it just sounded really strained.
I loved the characters of Cassie and Diana above the rest; their singing voices were very powerful, and their characters were strong and full of integrity with determination. Sheila's character was like that as well, but with a gritty attitude that often rubbed the wrong way. But the character Paul, whose past as a drag-queen in New York, had the most riveting story and ironically, it was the only one not told through song and dance. The fact that he was always struggling with himself, and always fearful and ashamed of who he was demonstrated so much, that it was really disheartening as an audience member when he fell and therefore could not achieve the part.
The choreography, lighting and sound were all wonderful, and I knew that the choreography was as true to the original production. The lighting was very unique, since it acted as the only source of change and spectacle within the show. Whenever the cast returned from conveying anothe level of their character (such as in a number) they would return to the white line at center stage and be overwhelmed by an unflattering white light from above. Yet, during the numbers, the lights became colorful, and used blends such as green and red in a contrast which beautifully complimented the movements of all the dancers.
As for who makes it and who doesn't, I was surprised that the vivacious, often too-sassy Sheila doesn't make it, while the underdeveloped character Richie does. I'm not a dancer, however, so perhaps my judgments aren't whole enough to make that final decision. After all, their dance is the most crucial aspect as opposed to individual character.
These people chosen aren't planned to be the leads in this fictional show (within the show), but rather montonous, stifled, background members of the chorus line, who compliment the shining leads. It's the fact of the business, and all have come to terms with it, especially Cassie, whose brilliance as a dancer clearly shines purposefully above the rest. She has always wanted to dance, and doesn't even let her ex-boyfriend, the director of this new show, Zach, try and push her from where she truly wants to be. it's clear to all that Cassie has more potential than any of them, and more individuality in her dance. Zach always saw that, and even as Cassie stands for her audtiion, he tries to tell her to try for a bigger role elsewhere. But all Cassie wants is to dance, not to be a star. She possesses the heart of the generic dancer, actor, or any passionate worker. Her work is her life.
Overall, the fact that I've been animatedly discussing the aspects of the show, as opposed to the production itself seems to make it clear to me that this was a fantastic show. I absolutely loved it - it wasn't stereotypical with its characters, nor outdated. The theatre aspects were out of thise world, and as a whole, it's clear this is another musical to add to my favorites list.