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.
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| 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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