Events

Published on September 8th, 2024 | by Rob Mammone

A Chorus Line Review (Melbourne 2024)

Director Tahra Cannon, with Musical Direction by Gabriel Taburet and Choreography by Louise Panagiotidis, based on the 1975 musical by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban and a book by James Kirkwood Jr and Nicholas Dante. Produced in Melbourne by Theatrical, starring Julian Dodds as Zach, Madeline Pratt as Cassie, Teresa Giansiracusa as Daiana and Nathan Fernandez as Paul.

First staged off Broadway in 1975, A Chorus Line became a musical phenomenon, being performed all around the world over the last five decades. It brings to vivid life the hopes, dreams and inner lives of the largely unsung cadre of chorus dancers, those who provide the back up dancing and singing while the stars shine for the audience. A Chorus Line depicts the audition process for a group of dancers, eager to gain a spot in an upcoming production, while revealing to the audience their innermost thoughts and hopes.

Now, A Chorus Line comes to the National Theatre in St Kilda, in a three week run beginning 7 September 2024. Produced by Theatricals, this is a stellar production of a crowd pleasing musical that features a really amazing array of young talent.

It’s hard to believe this is only the 2nd performance (a preview occurred earlier on the day of opening night) by this group of performers. Choreographer Louise Panagiotidis has done wonders in imparting her knowledge to the dancers. While it is clear that not everyone in the production has a long history of dance, the way they all came together during the show and gave a really tight performance again and again is to the credit of everyone involved.

A special highlight was the end routine ‘One’ where after all the struggles and fighting, the chosen dancers shed their individuality that came to the fore during the production, and come together to perform the signature song and dance for the musical. It is a bittersweet moment for them, but an exhilarating one for the audience as the characters they have come to appreciate and root for, finally get their shot. And boy, in this production, they gave it their all and then some, leading to the loudest cheers and most sustained applause of the night!

Theatrical boasts that it brings together performers from ‘different backgrounds who can come together, create, be themselves and succeed.’ They have an emphasis on diverse, younger casts, as a way of supporting amateur and rising talent in Melbourne who might not otherwise get their shot. This approach is exemplified during their production of A Chorus Line. Singer and dancer Rena Hattori demonstrates this – she is a Japanese performer who recently came to Australia and has rightly earned her spot in this fantastic production.

Similarly, there is a lot of young talent in A Chorus Line, in fact a whole gaggle of 20 somethings who can sing and dance the audience socks off. Particularly memorable was Caitlyn Serong as Val, who gives a brassy and sassy performance. Her rendition of ‘Dance: Ten; Looks: Three’ tells in a bold fashion the sacrifices female performances have to undergo to be successful on Broadway. The ‘tits and arse’ aspect of the singing and dancing had the audience in stitches, but there is something darker here being examined as well.

While there are comedic aspects to A Chorus Line – special mention here to Jerome Eccelston as Bobby, who had me in stitches during his opening monologue – the heart and soul of the production is how the characters reveal facets of themselves to the audience through the audition process. Nathan Fernandez’s performance as Paul, where he talks to the director about his upbringing, is deeply affecting and emotional. He delicately balances the light and shade of the revelations about his boyhood, with the retelling getting increasingly darker the more he says. The heartbreak the character goes through as he comes to understand who he really is, and his final words about what his father said about him, reduced the audience to a stunned silence. You can see it in Fernandez’s teary eyes and red face at the end of the monologue that he has given it his all to convey the hurt and hopes of his character.

Madeline Pratt’s Cassie is the heart of A Chorus Line. A dancer who has seen the highs and lows of success, Cassie has finally realised that all she really wants to do is dance, and despite the protests of the director (and former lover) she is completely satisfied with that. Not for her the bright lights of fame – performing is reward enough for her. All of this comes through Pratt’s stunning rendition of ‘The Music and the Mirror’, a sustained routine that reveals to the audience Cassie’s realisation of where she is most happiest.

The ensemble cast demonstrates the strength of talent available at the moment. Oscar Waters as Richie gives a winning, charismatic performance. Sherylee Campbell as Kristine, the slightly shy singer/dancer, nails all the dance routines as well as holding her own in the comedic moments given to her. And Ollie Belle’s Mike helps lead off the show, showing his strong dancing and singing chops.

Two performers to watch whose performing and particularly singing shine in this production are Teresa Giansiracusa as Diana, and Lyla Digrazia as Maggie. Digrazia’s singing during ‘At the Ballet’ was a highlight of the show – strong and clear and soulful. Giansiracusa’s rendition of What I Did For Love was a powerful moment in the show, proving that despite all the heartache and frustration and rejection, there are no real regrets in choosing the life of a singer and dancer. These are two young performers to watch in the years to come.

Overall, I was very, very impressed with this performance of A Chorus Line. The dancing was well choreographed and performed, the singing was a real highlight, and the cast brought to life the individuality of each of their characters. While giving you a lot to think about regarding the precarious nature of the performing arts, this production of A Chorus Line also proves to be thought provoking, engaging, funny and finally, uplifting.

EVENT AND VENUE INFORMATION

A Chorus Line
Saturday 6 September
The National Theatre
20 Carlisle St, St Kilda VIC 3182

For information on the performance, parking, nearby dining and public transport please visit the National Theatre website

About the Author

Rob Mammone

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