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"A CHORUS LINE" features music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban, book by James Kirkwood, Jr. Review originally published on BroadwayWorld. Their syncopation is so remarkable, that just yelling "Bravo" doesn't seem to suffice.įollow this reviewer on Twitter: from the Opening Night Performance of "A CHORUS LINE" at the Hollywood Bowl by © Craig T. When the entire ensemble emerges from the final brutal cut covered in head to toe gold hues to move as "One Singluar Sensation" for its finalé, it's heavenly nostalgia wrapped in dazzling glitter. an audience can't resist a coordinated kick-line, and this production doesn't disappoint with theirs. Her extra disco-fied "Music and the Mirror" got the crowd cheering.Īnd, of course, no matter what. Elaine Marcos as age-defying Connie Wong adorkable Tiana Okoye as erratic Judy Turner sassy Denis Lambert who amusingly milked every line as Gregory Garner Courtney Lopez (yes, Mario's bae) as tonally-challenged Kristine and, lastly, dance phenom Sarah Bowden as Cassie, an ex-lover of Zach's who wants to rejoin the ranks of the chorus despite Zach's insistence that she's too special to just be lost among the crowd. I was thoroughly impressed by the gorgeously stratospheric voice of Mara Davi (Maggie) as I was with Cornelius Jones Jr.'s rousing riffs as Richie, Justin Michael Wilcox's spunky Al DeLuca, and the lovely "At the Ballet" trio featuring Davi, the snarky aging diva Sheila played by Leigh Zimmerman, and Bebe played by Kelsey Walston.Īlso worth noting: pint-sized scene stealer J. While much of the show is spent trying to give ample time to certain stories more than others, many of the supporting players managed to effectively make their presence known, even in tiny bits. Other times, not so much.īesides Lopez (who is no stranger himself to "A CHORUS LINE", since he made his Broadway debut as Zach in the closing company of the Broadway revival), the other big name stars in the cast also include Broadway darling Krysta Rodriguez (Deaf West's SPRING AWAKENING, TV's Smash) who gives, in my opinion, the production's best performance as Puerto Rican spitfire Diana (her exquisite solo in "What I Did For Love" certainly got me teary-eyed) teen heartthrob and R5 frontman Ross Lynch (Disney Channel's Austin & Ally) as the adorable Mark dashing Tony Award nominee Robert Fairchild (AN AMERICAN IN PARIS) as the limber Mike the hilarious Sabrina Bryan (Dancing with the Stars, The Cheetah Girls) as well-endowed Val, and So You Think You Can Dance choreographer Spencer Liff (who also choreographed Deaf West's SPRING AWAKENING last year) as Larry. Most of the time, the stunt casting of A-list stars in key roles produces some pleasant discoveries.
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Normally, their annual production is more of an elaborate staged concert version that is altered and truncated as needed to fit not only the parameters of this venue's larger stage but to pepper it with a roster of famous, big-name actors, who are here trying their hand at doing a live musical theater concert.
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Much of this production's success is its decision to be as close to the full musical production as possible rather than be a mere symphony orchestra staged concert, which defies many of the rules one associates with the Bowl's summer musical. It is set in the far out mid-70's, hence, the show is a retro-tastic trip down memory lane as it showcases a day of auditions for eight chorus member positions in a brand new musical opening on Broadway. Once again, Tam's beautifully delivered, tearjerking monologue-which unfolds as a young man's heartbreaking confessional recounting the painful moment when his parents decided to let him go, disappointed of his particular life choice-becomes one of the many excellent highlights of a truly sensational fully-staged production, here directed and choreographed by Baayork Lee, herself a distinguished alumnus of the original 1975 Broadway cast.Įngaging, well-paced, aurally pleasing, and exceedingly entertaining from start to finish, the Hollywood Bowl's "A CHORUS LINE" is an exceptional presentation of this iconic show which celebrates those hard-working, ultra-talented, under-paid men and women who willingly choose a volatile career in which they sing and dance their hearts out in the background of a musical.