While A CHORUS LINE takes us “behind the scenes” we don’t actually have to look there during the entire show. Otherwise you’ll be looking into the wings. Two pieces of advice: Sit close to the stage, closer to the singers, and sit in the center. And another applause moment is when “Bobbie” (Michael Kelleher) tells us that “I would always try to find ways to kill myself, but then I realized to commit suicide in Buffalo is redundant.” Somehow I think that Michael Bennett had a hand in that line. Another highlight of the evening is the snappy, tappy “I Can Do That” sung by the character “Mike” (James Anthony Caposito). And that’s “Larry” the director’s assistant, in a role sort of like a dance captain, played by Collin McKee. Working with a cast of 27, there will be moments where things may have been under-rehearsed.īut, here’s a tip: for me the best dancing on the stage is done by a character who’s easy to miss as he’s leaning up against the proscenium in a drab grey outfit. So, while we give major props to to director Dewayne Barrett who came from Chicago bringing long experience with this musical, most community theaters wouldn’t take on something this ambitious. It felt a little rushed so the punch line, the dad’s request as young Paul gets on the bus, didn’t hit me in the chest as it has in the past. Oh well.Īnother “oh, well” moment for me was not getting to enjoy my usual cry at “Paul’s story” told by actor Kevin Cusi. I was told afterward by a Broadway maven that legally you can’t pare down the dance. However, “Cassie’s Dance” (originally co-created with Michael Bennett and then danced to a Tony Award by Donna McKechnie) went on a bit long on this current stage.
On the other hand, Aimee Lynn Walker as “Cassie” is more old-school and was able to belt out “The Music and The Mirror.” Good for her. Fernandez also was a little on the quiet side in “What I Did for Love.” Clume, although animated, was not always audible. The acoustics at 3200 Elmwood are not ideal and Ms. Unfortunately, many of our younger singers who a decade ago might have worked on that distinctive / projecting Broadway voice, imitating Lea Salonga, Megan Hilty, Idina Menzel might today be under the spell of current “whisper into the mic” singers such as Billie Eilish, Lana Del Ray, or Melanie Martinez. “Tits and ass, Bought myself a fancy pair, Tightened up the derriere, Did the nose with it, All that goes with it….” Yes, it’s the song which most people refer to by its refrain “Tits and Ass.” And Ms. On stage here, as “Val,” she sang the song titled “Dance: Ten, Looks: Three” in which she sings about losing auditions until she spent some money on plastic surgery. She was on Season 19 of NBC’s “The Voice” where she received “a 4 chair turn,” worked with John Legend and Kelly Clarkson, and placed as a Semi-Finalist. I’m sure that many want to hear Cami Clune (Val) in her first musical in 5 years, after taking a break to focus on her solo music career. They all felt something, But I felt nothing, Except the feeling, That this bullshit was absurd!” “Diana” also sings “Nothing” about the abusive high school drama teacher with the great line: “Nothing. I’m also a goner at “What I Did for Love” sung by the character “Diana,” here played by recent UB BFA graduate Anna Fernandez making her O’Connell & Company debut.
THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION: This is one of my favorite musicals and I’ve often said that if I had (in my dreams) written the song “One” I would have retired on the spot, it’s so good. Anna Fernandez on stage at O’Connell & Co. They each describe their background, family lives, humiliations, and why they were determined to become dancers. The musical offers us a chance to see beyond the footlights as the dancers answer questions from the mostly disembodied / unseen director “Zach” played by this production’s actual director, Dewayne Barrett. Set on a bare stage, the musical introduces us to Broadway dancers auditioning for spots on a chorus line. Oh, and also the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. THUMBNAIL SKETCH: This is the beloved 1975 musical with music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban, whose original Broadway choreography and direction by Buffalo’s own Michael Bennett won two of the ultimately nine (9!) Tony Awards in 1976 including Best Musical and Best Score (Marvin Hamlisch).
Runtime: 2 hours with one intermission (plentiful snacks and beverages available). The remaining three shows are this Friday, October 29 th at 8pm, Saturday October 30 th at 8pm (optional dinner package starting at 6:30 pm), with a final matinee Sunday October 31st at 2pm. has three more performances at 3200 Elmwood Avenue in Kenmore. THE BASICS: A CHORUS LINE presented by O’Connell & Co.
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