LAist: A Chorus Line @ Ahmanson Theatre

Lindsay William-Ross

Sat, 31 May 2008 09:14:58 -0800

Hmmm... I wouldn't classify my thoughts on the touring show as "super positive" considering I think the two leads aren't so great. I think I'm "super positive" about the show itself, and generally positive about the Ahmanson show. But if you enjoy A Chorus Line, yes, do check this show out! It is a lot of fun!

Spencer Williams

Fri, 30 May 2008 17:21:24 -0800

Cool.... Thanks Lindsay for clarifying. I get what you mean now. I really haven't heard anything good from anyone that I know that has seen the Broadway production so I was surprised at the super positive review of the touring. It's very few and far between that the actual touring version is better than the version on Broadway but if Mario Lopez is in the part then it's not that hard! ;) Now, I do want to see it.

Lindsay William-Ross

Fri, 30 May 2008 16:43:50 -0800

Spencer Yes, I have seen the show before, but from a less esteemed company. Do you mean it's one of the first positive reviews of the national tour's stint in LA? I think I'm fairly on par with other reviews, actually. And it depends if you're referring to my feelings about the show in general or the specific performance I saw. I agree that the suspension of disbelief is key in all musicals, but people so often pick at A Chorus Line for being "unrealistic" because it isn't a musical that involves dancing lions, singing mermaids, melting witches, masked men who live in opera houses, or kitty cats trying to get to heaven. It's easy to forget that at the end of the day, ACL is just a show, too. What I didn't mention in the review, but that I will happily mention in the comments is that I have been a fan of this show since I was a little kid. I lived and breathed by the original cast album and it has been close to my heart for as long as I can remember. (Don't get me started on the movie version...) Despite my not caring for this production's Zach, I'm relieved I didn't have to see Mario Lopez in the part (he's doing it on B'way right now). That would be almost incestuous, having Slater from Saved By the Bell in my all-time favorite musical. (But, Sam, I sure wish I could have seen it there!)

samkim

Thu, 29 May 2008 17:55:56 -0800

^people break out in song and dance ALL the time. you just have to look out for it. the broadway production (last august) was more well rounded/balanced, and made a better impression for me, and not just b/c it was in new york...

Spencer Williams

Thu, 29 May 2008 13:12:52 -0800

That's quite the review. This is one of the first positive reviews of A Chorus Line that I've read. Curious to know if you ever have seen the show before (not a bad thing - just curious)? "This show is thoroughly engaging--so long as you abandon your "this would never happen!" mantra and indulge in the make-believe inherent to the American musical theatre." Is there a musical in which you DON'T have to do that? One would assume they would need to do this for every musical you walk in. Isn't that the best part about every musical??