San Franciscos Playhouse’s High-Kicking Production of “A Chorus Line” Is a Smash Hit!
By Darlene Jurow
San Francisco Playhouse (450 Post Street) concludes its 20th Anniversary Season with the exuberant, high-kicking, fan favorite production of A Chorus Line, currently performing through September 9.
A Chorus Line captures the spirit, tension, and hope of a high stakes audition of twenty-four hopeful dancers who undertake a grueling audition for eight coveted spots in the back-up chorus of an unnamed Broadway show, exploring the inner lives and bittersweet ambitions of the performers. They put it all out there, even exposing their most intimate stories, while knowing their chances of making the final eight are slim. This period of desperation is pronounced so well in the musical number “God, I Hope I Get It”.
A Chorus Line was created from the real-life stories of working Broadway dancers, including eight who appeared in the original cast. Their deeply personal tales, shared in workshop sessions hosted by dancers Michon Peacock and Tony Stevens, caught the attention of director/choreographer Michael Bennett who had also been considering a show centered on the singular life of chorus dancers. A Chorus Line’s 1975 Broadway debut changed the face of musical theater.
With the largest cast ever assembled, San Francisco Playhouse’s production delivers on all the elements that make A Chorus Line truly resonate with the audience.
The actors are infectiously driven in providing the absolute best audience experience one can imagine. Samantha Rose Cardenas, who portrays Diane, the Puerto Rican who feels “nothing” and sings “What I Did for Love” as well as that wonderful concluding number “Kiss Today Goodbye” received a well-deserved roaring applause.
Danielle Cheiken, who plays strong-singing Maggie, belts out “At the Ballet”, and is a true knockout!
Speaking of knockouts, you’ve got to give it to Chachi Delgado, whose athletic abilities and dance maneuvers as the enthusiastic Richie, drew gasps of excitement from the audience.
As Sheila, Alison Ewing has the best dead-pan lines and delivery as she purges her past in “At the Ballet”.
Overall, the cast, which among others, also includes Jillian A. Smith (Bebe), Melissa WolfKlain, Maggie Connard (Judy), Gwen Tessman (Kristine), M. Javi Harnley (Al), Nicholas Yenson (Bobby), Tony Conaty (who is making his Playhouse debut as Mike), Adria Swan (who is making her Playhouse), Zeke Edmonds (Mark), Alex Rodriguez (who makes his Playhouse debut at Paul), Ruri Kodama (Connie), Keith Pinto, Zach Padio (Don), and Ann Warque, etc. all display talent on overdrive!
Wonderfully directed by Bill English, A Chorus Line offers stellar orchestrations by longtime musical director Dave Dobrusky, scenic design by Bill and Heather Kenyon, and stunning costumes by Abra Berman.
Kudos to the multi-talented Nicole Helfer, whose choreography was exceptional , as she also takes the stage as Cassie, a once-featured performer who now struggles to join the chorus.
A Chorus Line is definitely what one could call a WOW production! Many in the audience have even been overheard to say the show is so good that they plan to come back to see it again. Now that is what’s called a real success!
For tickets or more information the public may visit sfplayhouse.org or phone the box office at (415) 677-9596.
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Photo caption: Dancers dazzle as one singular sensation in San Francisco Playhouse's "A Chorus Line," currently performing through September. (Photo Credit: Jessica Palopoli)