Review: 'A Chorus Line' by Sabrina's Encore Productions

Danbury, CT - Running in repertory with ANNIE and INTO THE WOODS for Sabrina’s Encore Productions Summer Repertory Season is the ultimate dance show, A CHORUS LINE. The latter two shows opened on the first day of August on the state of the art mainstage of the VPAC on the Westside campus of Western CT State University, so I was able to enjoy the Cast 1 of both of them in one trip.

A CHORUS LINE was the musical chosen for the oldest Sabrina’s students, those entering grades 9 through 12, as well as those heading to college. The musical was conceived and originally directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett with a book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante with music by the late Marvin Hamlish and lyrics by Edward Kleban.

The dancing overall was most impressive; the choreographer was Lisa Mennilli and the students were well-rehearsed for the necessary synchronized dancing. Both performances of “One” were excellent and the dancers were even able to portray bad dancing before they had mastered the steps.

The director’s special guest was Quinn Fitzgerald in the role of Zack. The actor played the successful director running the audition from mostly offstage, but his voice was scary enough when needed. Presumably because of an inadequate number of male dancers, some of the roles were combined or tweaked just a bit. I apologize in advance if I have misidentified any of the dancer roles.

Rachel Weintraub, who has appeared Off-Broadway and at 54 Below and in the Trumbull HS production of CURTAINS, took on the role of the dancer named Cassie, who shares a past with Zack; she pleaded her case for a place in the chorus and she danced her solo very well. Ms. Weintraub shares the role with the fabulous Jane Shearin. I have seen Ms. Shearin at Hartford Stage and she was recently nominated for a Best Supporting Actress at the Stephen Sondheim Awards for her role in Newtown HS’s production of MARY POPPINS as Miss Andrew.

Elsie Tierney, who is heading to Seton Hall University in the fall, was able to shine in the role of the sassy and sexy Sheila, perhaps the oldest dancer at the auditions at the age of almost 30. Olivia Cavallero, a rising senior at Newtown HS where she appeared in EVITA and LES MISERABLES, shares the role of the foul-mouthed Val who had some plastic surgery with Annalie Ciolino and wow, Jessica Nivison, in her second SEP production, brought out everything in the character of Claudia in “What I Did for Love.” Ms. Nivison also works with Two Planks Company Junior Summer Theater Workshop as a production intern.

Diana Morales, a Puerto Rican dancer who was underestimated by her teacher, was played by Biranna Duffy on opening night. Ms. Duffy is in her 7th year at SEP and will be a junior at Bethel HS in the fall; Kayla Verga (LES MIS, EVITA at NHS) covers her role with Cast 2. Charlotte Cartelli (LES MIS at NHS) played the role of the dancer Judy and Annie Davidow, who has been a part of some Newtown HS shows, played the scatter-brained Kristine who can’t sing. Maggie was brought to life in a most heartfelt manner by Elizabeth LaRosa, who played Catherine in Pippin at Masuk HS, on opening night; she shares the role with Allison Mele.

The gawky, and quirky dancer Bebe was played by Leah Navin in her last SEP show before she heads to the University of Hartford. Ms. Navin played the leading role in MARY POPPINS at NHS; she shares her role with Casey Dunn (LES MIS, EVITA at NHS.) Mackenzie Roche (LES MIS, EVITA at NHS) played the role of dancer Connie who sings in “Hello, Twelve” in her final show wit SEP; she shares the role with Paige Farley.

Will Crebbin, a rising senior at NHS in his 13 show with SEP, played the aggressive dancer Mike and Aidan Moulder took on the role of the enthusiastic dancer who once planned to be a kindergarten teacher named Richie, as well as the boy with the headband. Mr. Moulder, who appears in his final SEP show, portrayed Bert in NHS’ MARY POPPINS and hopes to pursue a career in theatre. Grant Salese, a rising junior at Danbury HS, did well as the youngest dancer Mark and Justin Cavone played Al in his SEP debut; Mr. Cavone will head to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn in the fall.

Paige Armstrong danced the role of a prima ballerina on pointe during “At the Ballet” and was a beautiful touch. Included in the spectacular opening number were Olivia Dosher, Leah Crebbin, Alison Powers, Sami DelGuidice, Melinda Ferris, Nick Williams, Maddie Roe, Morgan Harrison, and Kyle Getzinger.

The set was a simple one, as it should be. The costumes of various takes on a dancer’s leotard fit the scene. The talent of the dancers, the (recorded) music and the imaginary mirror is all that is needed.

I appreciated all of the hard work that these teens had put into this production. Kudos to the adults that worked just as hard with them to pull of all three of the shows in the summer series. Thank you for the invitation to attend and for allowing me to stay for both shows. I regret not being able to squeeze in a performance of the third production in the summer season.

A CHORUS LINE is presented without intermission and runs through August 4, 2019. There was a large crowd at the VPAC for opening night. There is plenty of parking available in a nearby lot. All tickets can be purchased online at wcsuvpac.eventbrite.com For more information call 203-856-4007 or email sabrina@sabrinaencoreproductions.com

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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