Recent season-openers at the revived Theatre By The Sea (TBTS) in Matunuck, RI have been smaller revue-style shows. For the current season-opener Producing Artistic Director Amiee Turner stepped the company out of its comfort zone to produce what is perhaps the quintessential musical about musical theater. The theater also brought in Actor/Director Mitzi Hamilton to helm the production. These bold moves pay off.
A Chorus Line tells the story of a group of 17 Broadway gypsies who are competing for 8 possible slots dancing in the chorus. They aren't up for the lead, or the supporting roles, but for a nameless, thankless, role in chorus, framing the stars. Each of them, for their own reason, needs the work and possesses the unrelenting desire to dance.
Zach, the director, puts the group through their paces, as he tries to discover the person behind the headshot and resume. The dancers are un-nerved as they try to anticipate the next task while telling Zach what they think he wants to hear. Souls are laid bare to the relentless beat of "step, kick, kick, feet, kick, touch".
Amiee Turner makes her TBTS acting debut in the role of Cassie, the aging, almost-star dancer, who has a complicated history with Zach. If there is a "star" role in A Chorus Line, it is the role of Cassie. Anyone who takes the role has to dance well, sing decently and most importantly they need to be able to act. Turner gives a well-rounded performance, infusing Cassie's dance solo with a vulnerability that I haven't seen in other productions.
Jennifer Rias nails the role of Diana Morales. Her solo, "Nothing", does not disappoint and her interpretation, under Mitzi Hamilton's direction, is beautifully layered.
Yamil DeJesus gives a fine performance of Paul's still-relevant, emotionally-charged monologue.
In the role of Bobby, Tripp Hampton has the whole package. He has the look, body type, attitude and talent that are in perfect proportion to the character.
Amanda Lomotte and Jake Delaney are enjoyable in their duet, "Sing".
Andrew Smithson and the band faithfully re-create the music that is so familiar to musical theater lovers. In a tiny (but important) improvement over other productions I have seen, I heard the sleigh bells in “Nothing”, which was a nice touch.
The sound was a bit sketchy on opening night. More than one performer had their microphone periodically cut out on them, which was distracting.
In its entirety, this production of A Chorus Line is satisfying. It is immediately obvious that some of the dancers are not singers and vice/versa. The all-cast numbers are consistently good, with some clever harmonization. The acting ability of the cast is as individual as the performers themselves, which gives the production an uneven feel. These deficits are easily outweighed by the stronger performances and by Marvin Hamlisch’s music and Michael Bennett’s choreography, which is recreated for this production by Ms. Hamilton.
A Chorus Line runs at Theatre By The Sea through June 20th. Tickets range from $39 - $49, with rush tickets available one hour before the show. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office, located at 364 Cards Pond Road, Matunuck, RI, by phone at (401) 782-8587 or online at www.theatrebythesea.com.
Photo by Mark Turek, courtesy of Theatre By The Sea
