Everything is Beautiful at 'A Chorus Line'

The Baltimore Street corridor this week is full of kicks. At the Baltimore Arena through Dec. 7 is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring The Rockettes.

One block away at the Hippodrome Theatre, there is the revival of A Chorus Line (which runs through Dec. 14) where each cast member kicks his or her legs 36 times (18 kicks each leg) during the final kick line of the show.

Be prepared to arrive in advance to both shows to get a parking space since both events should be packing in patrons.

While I can't comment on The Rockettes, do not miss the exceptional touring production of A Chorus Line. The original production lasted from 1975 and ended in 1990. There was a successful revival on Broadway in 2006 that closed last summer.

I was fortunate to see the original Broadway cast which featured Donna McKechnie as Cassie (read her heart-wrenching autobiography "My Musical Comedy Life: Donna McKechnie), Kelly Bishop as Sheila (so terrific on the television series "The Gilmore Girls), and Priscilla Lopez as Diana (now on Broadway in the Tony-winning musical In the Heights).

If you have never seen A Chorus Line, you should not miss this production. But even if you have seen the show before but it's been a while, rekindle the magic while you can!

For you musical aficionados who tire at shows like Spelling Bee and Avenue Q which are entertaining but you find you don't listen to the CD more than once and you wonder where the choreography is, this musical is a classic. There's no fancy scenery, there's no costume changes until the final scene, but there is memorable music, a wonderful universal story, and incredible dancing.

There is always a question asked of composers which comes first, the music or the lyrics. Here, it was neither. According to Baayork Lee (Connie in the original cast who has restaged the Michael Bennett/Bob Avian choreography) most of the show was choreographed before they had the songs.

The music (only thirteen songs in an intermission less two hour performance) is by Marvin Hamlisch with lyrics by Edward Kleban and most everyone has heard some of these classics like "At the Ballet", "Dance: Ten; Looks: Three (better known as "Tits and Ass"), "One", and "What I Did for Love".

What makes this revival stand-out are the performers. From the ten-minute long opening number "I Hope I Get It", the audience gets it. These dancers, singers, actors, are incredible. There is so much talent on stage one wishes to stand up and cheer during the show.

A few stand-out performers include Gabrielle Ruiz "Diana" who has the luxury to belt out "What I Did for Love" and demonstrates her acting ability during "Nothing". Holly Howard nails the role of "Maggie" and sings the lovely "Everything is Beautiful at the Ballet". You stare in amazement watching Anthony Wayne (Ritchie) dance across the stage.

If there is only ONE show you see this season, THIS is it!!!

It is one singular sensation.

A hint about giving the performers a standing ovation which they so richly deserve. Michael Bennett intentional does not have a bow once the show ends   Therefore, if you desire to show your appreciation, don't be bashful and stand up during the finale ("One: Reprise) because this will be your only opportunity.

For tickets, call 410-547-SEAT or go to www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com. You may also enjoy the website www.AChorusLine.com.

Two Baltimore television stations have covered the show. Kudos to WBAL reporter Kate Amara. Go to www.wbaltv.com for her nice interview with Clyde Alves (Mike), Robyn Hurder (Cassie) and Shannon Lewis (Sheila). WJZ interviews Derek Hanson (Don), Mindy Dougherty (Val) and Sebastian La Cause (Zach). The reporter attempts to learn the dance steps from "One" in high heel boots. I don't understand why WJZ used video of the 2006 Broadway revivial which doesn't show anyone from the show at the Hippodrome.

For comments, cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

 

 

 

 

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