A Chorus Line rehearsals: week four

It’s the final week of rehearsals before A Chorus Line opens next week! DMU Journalism student Maykel Valladares discusses how the show is looking as it hurtles towards opening night.

Only a few more days until opening night, can you believe it? I sure can’t.

 I am in awe of how quickly this show has come together. The first rehearsal feels like it was only yesterday. Having the chance to sit in on these rehearsals was not only enjoyable, but a lesson in hard work and commitment.

 “I wanted to make sure that this show became my life for the two months that we’re here,” said Jamie O’Leary, who plays Mark Anthony, “It’s been so long since we’ve had a chance to do a show, I want to relish every second of it.”

 All of the hours spent learning lines and choreography will pay off in just a few days. It’s all about fine tuning at this point. I have noticed that the director, Nikolai Foster, is very detail oriented. He seems to catch things that most people wouldn’t even notice. The fact that he takes time to correct small details such as where a character should stand or how to deliver a line shows how much he really cares about this show.

 “Allow the feelings to be pulled out of you,” Nikolai advised the cast, “This is a story about your childhood being over and moving towards the future. Embrace it with your energy and connect the story to you.”

Whenever advice or critiques are given, they improve greatly. Every note sung off key, every missed step, every forgotten line is taken as a learning opportunity. They realize the change that needs to be made and you can see the increase in their energy and confidence when they try again.

 I am excited for the show to come out from the rehearsal room and onto the stage. There are so many people behind the scenes working so hard to bring A Chorus Line to life. Every day, the wardrobe department is stitching away at the costumes, carefully crafting the finishing touches. Sets and lighting are being put together, helping to further illustrate this story. A production like this could never happen without the talented staff at Curve.

 “People are going to be talking about this for a long time after the show has happened,” said Jamie.

 I couldn’t agree more with Jamie. This show is a classic made special here in Leicester. It won’t be here for long and you won’t want to miss it.