A Chorus Line is Back, and Better Than Ever
Seventeen dancers; one dream. Every one of them has a burning desire to be on the chorus line. But only eight will make the final cut. Four boys, and four girls. With stakes like that, who can afford to take such a gamble? When it comes down to it, it depends solely on what each person is willing to do to make it in a field they love. It's a question that we ask ourselves quite often in everyday life. These seventeen performers all have something that fueled their passion. And most had to pay a hefty price to make it as far as they have. But in the end, who will the director choose to appear in his chorus line?The much anticipated return of A Chorus Line has had Tempe theatre enthusiasts bursting at the seams. And opening night, a nearly sold-out crowd poured into the Gammage Auditorium to see the timeless show once again take life. The moment the lights dimmed down, the audience fell silent; holding their breath as they waited for the actors to fall into place. As the music started, it became clear that this would be a show everyone would remember for years to come. To put it simply, A Chorus Line is back, and better than ever.
Watching the dancing that took place upon the stage was mesmarizing. It was, in a word, ideal. Each dance number was full of life, and passion. It was a wonder that anyone in the audience was able to stay in their seats. It would be a safe bet to assume that a good amount of theatre goers have signed up for dancing lessons since leaving the auditorium last night. One dancer in particular really drew the audiences' attention. Anthony Wayne had such a powerful presence about him, it was a shame we didn't get to see more. There were several scenes in which he really stole the show.
Though the casting was impeccable, there were three actors that really stood out. Kevin Santos portrayed 'Paul' flawlessly. Everything was to the tee. He truly had the audience in tears with his monologue, and he put forth a fervorent performance. It was one of the highlights of the entire show. Jay Armstrong Johnson also caught my eye as 'Mark.' There was a great deal of passion within his performance, and it was truly admirable. Within his character, one could see the naivety, but still detect the desire he held. The two traits are hard to combine, but it was done very well by Johnson. And finally, Gabrielle Ruiz. She was simply dynamic. Her rendition of 'What I Did For Love' was awe inspiring.
This was a show worth seeing again and again. It holds a great message for anyone who's ever been told that they can't do something. It's simply stupendous. Anyone who has ever been to an audition or an interview can understand the tension and stress that it holds. In 1975, when the show first opened on Broadway, it became a hit. Now thirty-three years later, audiences are still cheering for A Chorus Line. Perhaps this unique show will inspire others to follow their dreams, just as the characters do. It's not often that a cast is formed, where each member truly complements the other. However, with this musical, it's almost a requirement to have everyone working in sync. And these actors did just that. It was a performance that will not easily be forgotten.
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