One Singular Sensation

A Chorus Line – Porchlight Theatre

Twenty-three hopeful, talented young singer/dancers spill open their hearts and expose their souls before a casting director/choreographer and his assistant, revealing their deepest fears, dreams, ambitions and hidden secrets during a very unusual and personal audition process. Childhood memories are explored, new friendships are forged and a few tears are shed before the final heartbreaking moment when the chorus line is cast. By then the audience has taken an emotional journey in real time with these performers, sharin in all their joys and sorrow. Anyone who’s ever interviewed for job, competed against their peers for something or felt passionately about anything, and then risked everything for that goal, can fully empathize with this multitalented group of singer/dancers.

And, oh my goodness, such an explosively gifted cast of triple threats that occupies the Ruth Page stage, breathing new life into this Pulitzer Prize and multiple Tony Award-winning musical. This production of “A Chorus Line” is not only superbly danced, which it must be; it boasts terrific vocal talent guided by Linda Madonia’s musical direction and accompaniment by her rich, Broadway calibre backstage orchestra (much applause to Greg Strauss for his magnificent talent on the trumpet). 

This cast is a dream team. So many standout performances fill the stage, that theatergoers simply must experience this wonderful production to fully appreciate the talent that’s been assembled. Always a dynamic dancer in every show she’s appeared in, plus being an accomplished vocalist, and one terrific actress, Laura Savage is Cassie. She’s the lady in red, the dancer who left the chorus a few years ago to become a Hollywood star, but has returned to Broadway to start over again. Ms. Savage’s unbridled passion, as she dances for her life in “The Music and the Mirror,” overwhelms both the actor and the audience. Ms. Savage proves, once and for all, that she’s an undeniable star of Chicago musical theatre. 

Finally cast in the leading role she was born to play, the charismatic, mega-talented Adrienne Velasco-Storrs is terrific as Diana Morales. Adrienne creates a determined and unflinchingly candid character, who not only tears up the stage with her dancing but provides real friendship to her fellow competitors. Whether belting out “Nothing,” a poignant song about how an insensitive high school drama instructor almost broke her down; or melting our hearts, leading the ensemble in an anthem to why theatre artists do what they do, “What I Did For Love,” this gifted triple-threat in the maroon jersey gives one stellar performance.

Alejandro Fonseca, another brilliant singer/dancer, who’s been enjoyed in the ensemble of so many productions at the Marriott, Drury Lane, Paramount and the Lyric, also finally gets to step out of the chorus and into a leading role. He plays Paul, the young Puerto Rican dancer, who’s shamefully buried his gay past as a drag performer in a seedy 42nd Street revue. Like his fellow rivals for the much sought-after available chorus roles, Fonseca is a skilled, dynamite dancer. However, the actor is especially moving as he delivers Paul’s 11th hour, heartbreaking monologue detailing his past. Mr. Fonseca’s poignant performance is certainly one of the many highlights of this production.

The entire company delivers breathtaking, multilayered and absolutely realistic performances. Every character has a story that deserves to be told, and collectively we begin to understand the human beings behind the glittering facade of a Broadway cast. Gorgeous Erica Evans, as the sardonic, age-obsessed Sheila, simply steals the theatergoer’s heart with one look; John Marshall, Jr., who should really be dancing on Broadway, is touching as Don, a young dancer who confesses how difficult it is to balance a career in the arts with supporting a family; Natalie Welch is hilarious and captivating as Val, the feisty young Rockette wannabe, whose self esteem dips when she swipes her dance card at an audition; Kaimana Neil, talented and driven, plays youthful Mark Anthony, a Catholic kid dreaming of being cast in his first Broadway show. In addition to all the other hopefuls, Richard Strimer is superb as Zach, the strict director/choreographer casting the show, and Wade Tischhauser is truly professional acting and choreographically accomplished as his casting assistant, Larry.

Brenda Didier directs this production with her typical empathy and expertise. She hands over the choreographic demands to Christopher Chase Carter, whose work has been enjoyed in recent Porchlight’s productions of “Gypsy” and “Memphis.” Kristen Martino’s sparse scenic design allows space for the large cast to stretch their creative muscles; Denise Karczewski’s exquisite lighting design provides the proper glitter, glitz and emotional illumination; and Robert S. Kuhn has replicated the look and 70’s style of the original Broadway production through his costume designs.               

This astounding artistic accomplishment is a feather in the cap of Michael Weber’s highly respected Porchlight Music Theatre. With a moving book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, a gorgeous score by Marvin Hamlisch, with lyrics by Edward Kleban, this Award-winning musical is an absolute must-see. There’s not one false note or move in this production. In a show of this caliber, that’s not only emotionally riveting, but filled with gorgeous music, stunning choreography and talented performers, is quite simply “One Singular Sensation.”

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented April 18-May 31by Porchlight Music Theatre at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Pkwy., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 312-337-6453 or by going to www.porchlightmusictheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.