|
A Chorus Line
Paper Mill Playhouse - New Jersey
September 7, 2001
Review by John Kenrick
Complex as love is, one fact is simple – everything else fades when the real
thing shows up.
At a time when the Broadway musical scene is dominated by recycled cartoons,
pseudo-operas and comic pastiches, seeing
A Chorus Line in all its glory at The Paper Mill Playhouse is a revelation.
This masterwork does not merely entertain. It takes you on an emotional roller
coaster of joy, despair, and triumph, finally affirming that, win or lose,
life goes on.
Contact? Fosse? The Producers? Oh please. One look at
A Chorus Line, and your perspective on these so-called musicals is altered
forever. There is nothing like the real thing. Once again, we are reminded that
truly great musicals must have brains,
heart and courage. More than a quarter century after its premiere,
A Chorus Line remains one of the ultimate expressions of what the musical
theater can be.
The book by Nicholas
Dante and James Kirkwood remains a creative marvel, bringing together twenty six
characters in one powerful stream of consciousness. Marvin Hamlisch's melodies
deftly mix showbiz razzmatazz with hints of mid-70's pop, and Edward Kleban's lyrics
have lost none of their eloquence. The original orchestrations by Bill Byers,
Hershey Kay and Jonathan Tunick may sound a bit dated at times, but they are as satisfying
to the ear as the voice of an old friend. Would that I had aged half as well as this
material has!
Baayork Lee, who played Connie ("4 Foot 10!") in the
original production, has done more than just re-create Michael Bennett and Bob
Avian's definitive staging. She has given this revival the electricity of a new
work. While there are no stars in the cast, there is plenty of star quality. Lee wisely
lets this troupe find their own fresh connection to characters who must dance
off their butts and bear their souls to win jobs in a Broadway chorus.
This ensemble gels beautifully. Like Cassie says, they're all special, but there are
some standouts. Kim Shriver scores as the formidable Sheila, Caitlin
Carter is a touching Cassie, and Mark Bove is perfect as Zach, the often hateful
director. Cindy Marchionda stops the show with Diana's "What I Did for
Love," as does Nadine Isenegger with Val's delicious "Dance: Ten,
Looks: Three."
At one point, the music, dance and razzle dazzle
stop. On a dark stage in a solo spotlight, the soft-spoken Paul exposes his
painful past in a heart rending monologue.
It is one of the most challenging moments the musical theater has ever offered
to an actor, and Luis Villabon
blew the opening night audience away with it. This is a searing, breakout
performance that literally took my breath away.
By the by, while all of
Bennett & Avian's choreography looks as glorious as ever, "One"
remains the most moving, heart-pounding finale the musical theater has ever
known. Seeing it again didn't just take me back – it sent me soaring.
Once again, Paper Mill
Playhouse has confirmed its place as a musical theater-lover's heaven on earth.
So get on out to Millburn for this first-class revival of
A Chorus Line – and remind yourself what the real thing feels like
This limited run closed on October 14, 2001.
To A Chorus Line 101
To Stage Reviews
Link to The Paper Mill Playhouse
Website |