Conner Morley as Mike kicks the show into high gear with jumps, flips and tap with the funny I Can Do That, Katie Czajkowski’s Kristine, the performer who admits that the one thing she can’t do is sing, is genuinely funny, by her facial expression alone Payton Bioletto’s Bebe expresses all the worries of not getting accepted, Carly Grossman’s Cassie takes command of the empty stage with The Music and the Mirror, and Carly Makani Copp as Diana hits the mark with a natural delivery that makes you want to see what she would be like down the road in a straight drama. There are individual moments that should be recognized. The transition was so smooth I’m sure there were some audience members who may not have realized there was ever an issue. Knowing that the recorded music waits for no one, to Mariella DeAngelis’ credit as a trouper and possibly future professional, she held her position and waited for the appropriate moment to continue, then unfazed, rejoined the song as if nothing had happened. There was a moment where one of the performers blanked in the middle of a solo piece. Mark 4Man’s music, recorded then played back throughout the production, is tight and holds the piece together. Naomi and Andi Jordon’s costume design echoes the look and colors of the originals, as does Shawna Weitkamp’s challenging choreography.
This is all the more remarkable when you take into consideration that each performer has school, college, work or other obligations outside of Spotlight. Knowing that if they can pull this off, they can move on with confidence to other productions. For some, being in A Chorus Line and knowing what is essential is possibly the most important production they’ve been in so far.
Like the characters this cast portrays, you can see that each member is giving nothing short of what is required. Spotlight, as expected, hasn’t taken this piece lightly. In many respects, the average age of these talented teenagers is the age many of those characters would like to be.Īs this is the epitome of an ensemble piece, the show rises or falls on the strength of its weakest performer. In the case of a youth theatre, they are the same hopes and fears that they are about to experience. The power of the piece is that whenever you see a production of the musical, you know that the performers you are watching have gone through or are going through those very same hopes and fears that their characters are voicing. In the case of some of these characters, it may be their last hope. To be hired, even if it’s simply in the chorus line, is the fulfillment of everything they have ever wanted. He’s not looking for someone to standout, he’s looking for those who can blend in and perform as one.
All of their hopes, dreams, desires and ultimately fears are laid bare throughout its two hour plus running time as each character is forced to open themselves to a demanding director who simply wants the best of the best. At this point, after endless revivals, national tours, not to mention a film that really didn’t work, it’s hard to imagine there are those who may still be unfamiliar with its story or plot line, but the wonderful thing about theatre is that there will always be a new generation of those who will be seeing it for the first time, and what a thrill that must be.Ī Chorus Line revolves around seventeen hopeful dancers auditioning for a Broadway musical. Since 1975, A Chorus Line has firmly established its position in the annals of American theatre history.
The show is difficult enough for a seasoned professional to do, but to have a local youth theatre attempting to perform such a taxing and demanding production with no cuts from the original and little alterations is nothing short of audacious, to say the least. There’s something important that audiences have to remember when watching Spotlight Youth Theatre’s new production of the now iconic Broadway musical A Chorus Line. A Chorus Line (Photo Credit Unknown)ĭavid Appleford’s Review of “A Chorus Line” (Photo Courtesy of the Theater) Spotlight Youth Theatre. Katie Czajkowski as Peggy Sawyer in ”42nd Street.” (Photo courtesy of the theater) 2015. Pat Denning, Doctor, Chorus – Charlie RabagoĬostume Designer: Mickey and Rhea Courtney (Photography courtesy of the theater)Īnn Reilly (Anytime Annie) – Sydnie Greger