Steve On Broadway (SOB)

A Chorus Line's Casting Announced

A Chorus Line's Casting Announced

Perhaps I was just too young to understand Broadway's long-running A Chorus Line during its first outing that lasted an impressive 15 years (1975-1990). I saw a touring production somewhere around 1980, when I was still a teenager. But my recollection of seeing it was wondering what the fuss what all about.

Now, 26 years later, the full cast of A Chorus Line's second Broadway incarnation has been announced, and three stars may make this fussbudget interested in seeing the revival.

First, Charlotte d’Amboise has been cast in the pivotal role of Cassie. d'Amboise has built her stellar reputation not only on her many returns to the Broadway revival of Chicago, still going strong after all these years, but also for stepping in for injured Christina Applegate as Charity Valentine in last year's Sweet Charity as the production limped along from Chicago to Boston, before finally opening in New York (with Applegate's triumphant return).

Additionally, Michael Berresse -- currently playing the role of Giuseppe Naccarelli in The Light In The Piazza -- will star as Zach, who directs A Chorus Line's show within a show while adding tension as Cassie's former lover.

The cast member I'm most eager to see is the sensational Deidre Goodwin. Last time I had a chance to see her was in Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life earlier this year. Where she really turned it all out was in her amazing performance as Our Lady of the Spa in the breathtaking Nine with Antonio Banderas and Rivera three years ago. If you weren't able to catch either of those performances, you may recall seeing her in the "Cellblock Tango" number in the movie version of "Chicago," where she played June ("He walked into my knife ten times..."). The opportunity to see this soon-to-be superstar alone should be worth the price of admission.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

Labels: A Chorus Line, Broadway, Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life, Deidre Goodwin, First Word On New Show, Michael Berresse, Musical, Revival

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Wednesday, April 26, 2006