REVIEW: 'A Chorus Line' at The Kentucky Center

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October 12, 2009

By CHARLES WHALEY The News and Tribune Mon Oct 12, 2009, 10:50 PM EDT

Those hard-driving dancers auditioning in “A Chorus Line,” Michael Bennett’s groundbreaking Broadway show from 1975, have returned to the Kentucky Center with their cri de coeur about desperately needing the job.

“Please, God, I need this job. I’ve got to get this job,” they sing, and in these times of widespread unemployment their burning wish takes on a universal aspect.

This “Chorus Line” tour, following the latest Broadway revival, is nearing the end of its year-and-a-half on the road. While the dancing remains spectacular, too much of the dialogue and the songs come through flat and robotic (not helped by The Kentucky Center’s irritating sound system).

In this day and age the song by Val (Stephanie Martignetti) about her surgically enhanced attributes is an embarrassment.

But I never cease to enjoy the line from Bobby (Ian Liberto) that “to consider suicide in Buffalo is redundant.”

The familiar set-up has Zach, the director (well played by Derek Hanson), getting the dancers to reveal personal information as he decides which four men and four women will make the final cut for his show.

One of those auditioning is Cassie (Robyn Hurder), with whom he used to live and who tried and failed to succeed in show biz after breaking out of the chorus and leaving him. She wants back in, content to be one of the line.

Hurder, blond and stunning in a red dress, is this version’s standout with her riveting song and dance to “The Music and The Mirror.” She makes her character believable, which cannot be said of others who seem just to be going through the motions.

An exception is Paul (the affecting Joey Dudding), a Puerto Rican boy who grew up wanting to be Cyd Charisse and who ended up dancing in a Jewel Box drag show. His story about his parents finding out is agonizing.

As Diana Morales, the girl who got “Nothing” out of her drama school exercises, Rebecca Riker disappoints, galloping through the piece and missing the pathos. Yet when she leads the ensemble in the musical’s big number “What I Did For Love,” she slows down and is terrific.

Of course, the crowd-pleasing finale with the flashily costumed cast milking applause while prancing through “One Singular Sensation” never fails to be a winner. The score by Marvin Hamlisch (music) and Edward Kleban (lyrics) remains praiseworthy.

Runs through Sunday Oct. 11. Information at 502-584-7777 or 800-775-7777.

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