A Chorus Line is a classic piece of Broadway history. Iconic music, a truly ensemble cast, and libretto that delves deep into the characters. This was groundbreaking theatre back in the day.
It's a shame, then, that this touring company doesn't do the show justice. What I saw this past weekend was certainly technically competent, but, instead of a vibrant, engaging production, the on-stage product was rote and lifeless. The actors seemed to be just going through the motions, perhaps weary from weeks on the road, and it showed. The portrayals were either flat, or scene-chewing, striking no good balance that made anyone relatable. Only the actor playing Paul managed to pull together a performance that had the potential to truly connect with the audience, but by the time he got his chance, the audience had been lost for 45 minutes.
Behind the scenes, this show was amateurish. The sound mixing was off, with vocals buried under the music, mics not switched on at the right time, and a spot operator who must have been intoxicated. What's worse, an error led to the finale's flashy backdrop being revealed early and at a time most inappropriate.
All in all, it was difficult to believe that we were watching a professional touring company. I left disappointed.