EYE magazine

August 15th, 2002

THIS BABY HAS LEGS

Featuring an ensemble cast of 19. Produced and directed by Michael Rubinoff. Choreography by Jeanine Henderson. Book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban. Jane Mallett Theatre, St Lawrence Centre for the Arts. Thu-Sat 8 pm; Sat 2 pm. To Aug 17. $22-$27.

"There's so much heart and soul in this version of A Chorus Line that it's easy to overlook small, surmountable production flaws. The cast members are variously able, appropriate in a musical about a Broadway dance audition. As the director asks the hopeful dancers to reveal something of the person behind the resumé, eliciting a series of monologues and songs, the disparity of skills works to the show's advantage, subtly colouring the already superb choreography."

"Another benefit is the small theatre. The relatively large Shubert in New York used to dwarf the more touching moments in this Pulitzer- and Tony-winning show. But they come through full-sized in the intimate Jane Mallett, while the big, splashy numbers seem bigger as they splash over more of the stage."

"The attractive cast is at the right age and stage in their careers to know exactly what's at stake for their characters, and the showbiz/coming-of-age tales have aged well since the show debuted in 1975. Rafael E. Martinez is heartbreaking as Paul, who deals with being Puerto Rican and gay; Jamie Sussman is perky fun as Bebe, whose mother always told her she looked different, not pretty; and Lorne Smith's Mark is a little dynamo of sweet energy."

"The overwhelming vibe from the actors is that they'd rather be there than anywhere else in the world. A Chorus Line is clearly what they do for love."

DOUGLAS HICTON

(The above article includes excerpts from Douglas Hicton's review. For the complete review, please visit www.eye.net)

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