Friday, July 25, 2014

One...singular sensation - RAPA's "A Chorus Line"


I’m a sucker for A Chorus Line (the stage version, not the movie), and I’ve seen the movie Every Little Step twice. One of the things that fascinates me is how talented all of the actors must be, since they must all act, sing, and dance, and sometimes all at the same time! So when my friend Jan suggested a girls’ night out, to see RAPA’s production at the East End Theatre, I was the first (of a dozen of us) to accept the invitation. We dined at Pomodoro’s beforehand, and carpooled to the theatre, because parking there can be an issue.

First, the bad. I can understand why RAPA might be eager to move from this performance space to the Kodak Theater. The seating configuration, on a few risers that barely rise, means that almost everyone has an obstructed view – there was much leaning back and forth to try to find small windows between the people in ‘lower’ rows. We were only halfway back, but it was virtually impossible to see the dancing, except in the mirrors (which had a slight curvature, so there was occasionally some carnival-like distortion). The seats themselves have seen better days, and because each row of seats is connected and wobbly, every move anyone makes ripples (our row included a high-energy high school boy, who constantly jiggled his leg and consequently the rest of us). The band is sequestered in a large closet to one side of the stage, and the theatre was warm, as if it is perhaps not air-conditioned. And the boys’ costumes for the final number might have been designed to allow them to move, but they were so ill-fitting and baggy that the boys looked like clowns.

But, the good was very good – enough so that one of the women in our party immediately went to the box office afterward to purchase tickets for her to return with her husband the following night. We couldn’t stop remarking on the talent of these performers (mostly in college, but some in high school, and some recent college grads). While the acting was uneven, there was no question that they could dance and sing. Each lead had a distinctive voice, particularly suited to his or her role, and yet when they sang the chorus numbers, the blend was incredible. I wasn’t paying attention when the husband of Judith Ranaletta, Artistic Director, announced a role substitution, but perhaps it was for “Sheila,” because Judith explained to Jan post-performance that the girl playing Morales had just stepped in to sing “What I Did for Love.” And she was terrific. And we learned, from the young woman in our row on crutches who was supposed to have played “Connie,” why the role had been changed slightly (from a short Asian woman to a short Irish one – not quite the same impact, unfortunately).

I was in awe not just of the musical ability of these young adults, but their poise and seeming self-esteem. Many of them are studying performance, and probably have professional aspirations. Whether or not they are realized, RAPA will have provided them an excellent foundation.

Sally, Jan, Holly, Mary Ann, Dinny
Ann, Sue, Betsy
It was such a fun evening that several of us are considering making this a habit (sort of like a book club, but for theatre, so no homework required!). With all of the great theatrical organizations in Rochester, we will have no shortage of options from which to choose. If we ever return to this theatre, though, we’ll have to make sure to get there early enough to secure the seats with a view…

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