‘A Chorus Line’ magic
By John BergeR
still there, in spades
Special to the Star-BulletinTHE agony and ecstasy, the hopes and humiliations of dancers at a "cattle call" audition are immortalized in "A Chorus Line," one of the most popular musicals in modern American theater.
The show has been staged in Hawaii at least three times previously, but never with greater impact or sharper dramatic focus than as presented by Encore Attractions in association with Tom Moffatt Productions in the Blaisdell Concert Hall.
Fanatic fans probably have made plans already to attend as many performances as possible. As for anyone who's wondered over the years what is the big deal about this show: Go see it yourself and be prepared to be entertained thoroughly.
And no, "A Chorus Line" isn't only about dancers or the daily bumps and grinds that come with a career on Broadway.
Do we all know the premise? Zach (Charles Linden) and his assistant, Larry (Davis Bankston), are auditioning dancers for a new Broadway show.
The insecurity of a dancer's career is a recurring theme. The cast of this production taps the quirks and details of every character and illuminates all the dramatic nuances of the stories within the story:
Sharon Brooks (Cassie) does it all and brilliantly. She makes "The Music and The Mirror" the show-stopping solo it must be - the power, grace, desire and desperation are all there. When she makes that final heart-wrenching appeal to Zach, every facet of the character is on display. Brooks is magnificent.
Charles Linden (Zach) brings subtlety to a role, sometimes played with simple sadistic overtones. Linden's Zach seems generally sympathetic to the dancers' plight. That makes Zach's nastier moments starker and more significant in appreciating his character - and his relationship with Cassie.
Pattie Ford (Val) serves up a perfect blend of faux innocence and cynical sexuality in "Dance: Ten, Looks: Three."
Shane Rhoades (Mike) is agile enthusiasm personified in his early showcase, "I Can Do That."
In "Sing!" Erin Hunter (Kristine) and Spence T. Rowe (Al) synchronize perfectly as the married couple - she's nervous and can't carry a tune, he's doing his best to help her make a good impression.
Dena Di Giancinto (Diana) charms with "Nothing" and balances resignation with determination as she leads the cast in the show's anthem, "What I Did for Love."
John Burgos (Paul) stops the show in one of the pivotal nonmusical moments. Kathryn Mowat (Sheila) personifies Attitude in several key comic moments.
Fans of the other major characters - Bebe (Elizabeth Polito), Bobby (J. Miccoli), Connie (Tudi Goto), Don (Paul Buschman), Greg (Kevin McDonald), Judy (Connie Sabo), Maggie (Jennifer Williams) and Richie (Jacen R. Wilkerson) - will find their favorites also portrayed in fine form.
Kevin Andrew (Frank, the guy who looks at his feet when he dances), John Flynn (Roy), Donald Foster (Tom), Ra-Sean Holloway (Butch), Michelle Martin (Trisha), Susan Mathis (Vicki) and Marilyn B. Villamar (Lois) complete the cast as the luckless early casualties of the audition.
The ensemble work - on "I Hope I Get It" and "Hello 12, Hello 13, Hello Love" in particular - is likewise phenomenal. The visual magic of the big, gold-lame finale is a given after all these years, but the individual character bits that embellish some of the earlier numbers are delightful details to watch for.
Also, note the lighting. The subtle lighting nuances to Brooks' dance solo are but one example.
And lastly, credit director/choreographer Mitzi Hamilton with restaging this show as the emotional roller coaster the show's creator, Michael Bennett, conceived almost 25 years ago. Not every road show that has come to Honolulu in recent memory has lived up to its pre-opening hype. This production of "A Chorus Line" far exceeds preshow expectations. Seeing it is like experiencing the magic for the first time!
A Chorus Line
What: A Chorus Line
