Welcome to the official A Chorus Line production blog. Since the show’s Broadway opening on October 5, 2006, 19 individuals immersed themselves in the world of A Chorus Line and continue to perform this landmark musical night after night at New York City’s Schoenfeld Theatre.
From the show’s pre-Broadway tryout in San Francisco to its nightly sold-out run on Broadway, cast members continue to discuss their journey from aspiring actor/dancer to their place on the legendary line. Cast members are profiled weekly and provide blog entries and picture interviews discussing their Chorus Line experience. Check back daily as new entries are posted and be a part of A Chorus Line.
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Mon, May 14, 2007
by David E. Baum |
In addition to doing the show, I also like to write music. At our opening night party, we all had the pleasure to meet many of the people who were in the original Broadway production. Naturally, the folks I was most interested in meeting were the cut dancer guys! I met them all, and they were so warm and nice. They told us of their days as the cut dancers, and their creation of the "Westside 5." The group consisted of the Roy, Butch, Tom, Frank and the swing. We all agreed that it was our duty, as the next generation of Chorus Liners to keep the tradition of the "Westside 5" living on. For our Gypsy of the Year sketch benefiting Equity Fights Aids, the five of us, along with help from the rest of the company performed one of my songs "Ten and Out" which is a song about the trials and tribulations of being a cover in A Chorus Line. Everyone seemed to love it, and it was the first time one of my songs had been performed!
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Fri, May 11, 2007
by David E. Baum |
When I got the call that I had gotten the show, I felt a crazy rush of different emotions. First of all was unbelievable joy, being invited to join this very special revival, second was an undeniable pride that I had achieved a dream that I'd had since childhood. Then came the flooding feeling of wondering if I could even cover 4 roles in such a humongous revival! I had never covered, understudied, or swung any show that I have been in, and it has been a true rollercoaster. There is nothing like the lows of frustration when you just can't seem to figure out which character goes where. On the same token, finishing your first show in that gorgeous costume is unlike any other on stage experience I've ever had. It's truly like conquering the world. I remember thinking after my first show, "If I can do this, I can do anything!" I still believe that today.
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Thu, May 10, 2007
by David E. Baum |
A couple of weeks ago when I was on for the role of Al. Chryssie Whitehead, who plays Kristine (Al's wife), got lost in her monologue, and couldn't find the next line. I wasn't sure if she had really lost the line or was really 'in the moment' as Kristine is a bit scatter brained and really nervous talking in front of Zach. After a second, I realized that she really had lost her place! I was able to feed her the line, and because of the nature of the scene, no one could have known. It was a crazy and awesome experience as an understudy to literally step in and help out in a way I definitely had not expected.
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Wed, May 09, 2007
by David E. Baum |
I have had the chance to play all of the roles I cover, but I seem to go on more for Bobby than the others. I have done approximately 65 shows total at this point, and continue to do on average about two to three per week. I had one time when I did Al at the Saturday matinee, Bobby at the Saturday evening performance, and Al against on the Sunday matinee. That got quite confusing! At this point I'm pretty rock solid with all of the roles, but when we started, it was an overwhelming and stressful responsibility. When we were in rehearsals, all of us covers seemed lost thinking about all of the different tracks we had to know. However, what seemed like a Herculean task became reasonable over time, and I'm proud to be part of such a fantastically talented and versatile understudy company!
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Tue, May 08, 2007
by David E. Baum |
Keeping all of the roles straight is a bit of a test, and I have had moments on stage where I have to stop myself from saying one character's lines when playing another. The craziest and most exciting thing that has happened to me this far has been getting thrown on for the finale with only about a minute's warning. I was standing stage left (at the singing booth, where the understudies sing the show) when Tim, our assistant stage manager rushed in. He said, "David, Michael Paternostro has gotten sick, you're on for the finale!" Now, you must imagine me in my full winter jacket, backpack, jeans, sweater and t-shirt on. I immediately made a mad dash for the stairs to get to the other side of the stage stripping off clothing along the way. I swear I could have qualified for the Olympics! I ran under the stage, stripped naked stage right, threw on a costume, barely had enough time to zip it up and was dancing onto the stage, "One! Singular Sensation!!!" I don't think my heart has ever beaten that fast in my life! It was totally intense, and actually the first time I had done Greg.
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Mon, May 07, 2007
by David E. Baum |
Hi! I'm David and I am a cover for Mike, Greg, Bobby and Al, while also playing the role of 'Wrong Arms Roy' every night. A Chorus Line is my Broadway debut and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Everyone involved has done such a wonderful job in every aspect. I'm so very proud to be a part of this show, and grateful for the opportunity to open this big revival on Broadway. Chorus Line is a very special show for me for many reasons: Not only was it the first musical I ever did in high school, I also was given my first equity principal contract to play Mike. Now ACL is also my Broadway debut! A Chorus Line had always been one of my favorite musicals growing up, getting to dance in it on Broadway every night is truly a dream come true.
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Thu, May 03, 2007
by Lyndy Franklin |
Being part of A Chorus Line has been a total dream! I had never done the show before this experience. Of course, I knew about it…I saw a regional theatre production of it as a young girl and sang along with my ACL record (yes, I said record) at my mother’s dance studio. My favorite song to sing was “Dance 10 Looks 3.” And, naturally, when you think of ACL you picture those shiny finale costumes. After my first costume fitting when I actually got to put my finale costume on I cried! I couldn’t believe it. I think being an understudy in a show makes the ending even more special. You literally don’t know when you might get to be out there again. So, I take every moment in…because it could be a month or two before I get to do those high kicks at the end of the show or sing “What I Did for Love.” It is such a special show because it truly is the story of our lives…we live these characters out every day. To let the outside world in on a moment in the life of a starving artist is amazing. I feel truly blessed to be a part of this legacy. To dance in the footsteps of all those Chorus Liners who have come before us is the ultimate dancer’s honor.
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Wed, May 02, 2007
by Lyndy Franklin |
The training NEVER ends. Once your dream comes true and you find yourself in a hit Broadway show, it might seem like you’ve reached the end of journey…but I think that it’s just beginning! I am always working on improving myself as an actor, singer and dancer. I am in class of some kind every single week. I am always looking for new songs that inspire me for my book. I am constantly seeing as much theatre as I can (which is tricky with my schedule), going to concerts, etc. You have to keep up with the scene. It’s so important to know everything that’s going on in the industry. I read books, attend lectures…it’s like college all over again! I hope that I will have a long and fulfilling career in the theatre. It’s the quest for more knowledge that pushes me further and further along.
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Tue, May 01, 2007
by Lyndy Franklin |
All in all, I cover seven different parts…Bebe, Maggie, Connie and Kristine; and cut dancers Tricia (“I Really Need this Job”), Lois (the Ballerina) and Vicki (“Don’t Dance”). It’s too hard to pick a favorite, but what I find interesting is that I see a little of me in each of “my girls.” I probably relate to Maggie the most. She’s a good girl, with a good head on her shoulders. She has had some painful things to deal with in her life, but that’s just what she does – deal. She maintains a positive attitude, despite personal setbacks. Like, Bebe, I always felt most alive when dancing (although thankfully my mother has always been totally supportive – and dad too!). I know how Kristine feels in that I went through a time in my life when I was VERY insecure about my voice…I would lip sync on stage in some of my high school musicals because I was too scared to sing! And Connie…(my version is Connie Mackenzie – not Wong). Connie is fun! My Connie is a bit of a tomboy…no nonsense, but doesn’t let the little things get her down…she sees the bigger picture. It is a BLAST to get to play all these different characters. The show is completely different from each girl’s point of view. I love my job!
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Mon, April 30, 2007
by Lyndy Franklin |
As Dance Captain, it’s my job to keep track of where each character goes and how they get there throughout the entire show. In order to keep it all straight, I had to create what is called a “show bible.” Basically, I drew charts of each formation in the show. They look kind of like charts for football plays – lots of x’s and o’s. I also had to write down the choreography - which is tricky in this show. Some of Michael Bennett’s choreography (especially in the Montage sections) is based on 70’s social dances. We use terms like “ring the bell,” “funky chicken,” and “egg beater”…you can’t find those in any dictionary of dance technique. It’s a huge responsibility to maintain the integrity of this legendary choreography. Our choreographer, Baayork Lee, has made it her life’s work. She knows every inch of this show like the back of her hand and all the reasons why each movement was chosen. This show changed the face of music theatre when it opened in 1975. Now it’s our job to present AND preserve this masterpiece of American Musical Theatre.
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