Customer Reviews

Every Little Step

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After wiping the tears away at the end of the film, my first thought was, "This helps erase the memory of the awful film Of A Chorus Line". Having seen the show a number of times before the film adaptation, I was ready for a permanent homage to my favorite of all Broadway shows. I could have shot the director after seeing his misinterpretation of the original show. Every Little Step is even better than a film of the show could be for those of us who love it.

We are given a look into the genesis of Michael Bennett's concept. I did not know how groundbreaking A Chorus Line was until seeing this film. I think we all know about workshopping plays and shows now, but this show was the first one. Mr. Bennett sold the concept and found several years' funding to develop the show. Everyone in the Broadway community knows how hard the life of chorus dancers is and I think was interested in seeing a show that honored them. Mr. Bennett "wrote" the show by committee. The stories are true, though the film points out that he might have done a lot better giving more credit to the contributors. The concept was so compelling that Marvin Hamlisch, then making a very good living doing Hollywood films, dropped everything and went to NYC to write the music. The story about retitling one of the songs is special.

The stories about making the show and the archival films bring back wonderful memories and give great insight to the original show and the inspiration to/for the revival. Having principals from the original show staging the new one gives us a special look at why casting for this revival was so hard to do. Most important to the director and backers was whether they should even dare to try reproducing this most perfect of all Broadway shows. Would they be able to honor the spirit of both the show and Michael Bennett? Well, I saw the show (on tour, not on Broadway) and think they did Mr. Bennett and the original cast proud.

Because the show was so personal, the selection of the cast was also very personal. Every one of the over 3000 people trying out was auditioned. There were no "resume only" cuts. Every performer was treated with the utmost respect, and well they should have been. The people trying out are exactly the same ones Michael Bennett workshopped and personally selected for his show, only a newer generation. There are descendants of the original cast. There are people who have been around a long time and are most certainly wondering if it's time to hang up their shoes. There are people with more talent than a single human ought to have. There are people who have what might seem like too much ego and some with so much modesty that you wonder how they get themselves on a stage. The creative team is often moved, as is the audience, by the auditions. There are people they want in the show and there are people who knock their socks off. Most of all, these are people who LOVE what they do and are willing to work possibly beyond their own capabilities to get a part in this show that honors their work.

It was easy for someone who loves the show like me to get quickly involved. I have friends who have not seen the show who got hooked almost as quickly as I did. Nobody I knew at the preview screening "survived" the film with dry eyes, and we all sat through to the last credit, savoring the film to the very last second. For those who have only seen the film adaptation -- just forget a lot of what you saw and who did the songs. Every Little Step gets it right. Those of you who claim to not like Broadway shows can find much to like in watching these very talented people competing for jobs which, in many cases, are the goal they've been shooting for all their careers. They work so hard and bare their souls trying to be "the one". "I really need this job" isn't just a song, it's the real thing here. Many of the people auditioning are on unemployment. And you just can't help getting involved. There was lots of applause when certain performers were selected. There was much discussion after the film about why their -- mine, too -- person wasn't chosen. For instance, I think you'll be glad to know the person who wasn't chosen for the role of Cassie has gone on to do much great featured work in the DC area. She's really good, too! Take it from someone who's seen her live.

Haven't you bought the film yet? What are you waiting for?

I saw "A Chorus Line" 11 times on Broadway during its original run. I had strong opinions on Donna McKechnie versus Anne Reinking. I knew every word and every step - could do entire dance sequences without stopping for a drink of water. "What I Did For Love" WAS (is?) my anthem.

As far as I know - no filming of the original show was made.
The movie of "A Chorus Line" (with Michael Douglas et al) was so awful that I wanted to picket theaters that screened it and carry a sign that said "DANGER: Do Not Enter or you will never know that this story is really a masterpiece. REALLY." It was like seeing the Mona Lisa painted by a 3rd grader on black velvet: not the real thing.

"Every Little Step" tells the story of casting the revival of "A Chorus Line". It does a superb job of taking me back there - back to where I was hopeful, emotional, committed and limber.
It doesn't cheat or exaggerate: it doesn't have to. The truth of the story shines through. The performers are fantastic both when they are performing in auditions, and when they are not. The plot lines build naturally with all the inherent drama and uncertainty that IS the lives of these performers. The viewer involvement is as deep and complete as it was with the original show: we find favorites, yet love them all and wish they could all get the part, we tense up and time our breathing to that of the talent who are strutting their stuff over and over and over again.

It is a trip back in time with pretty photography, no editing room pyrotechnics (a la "Chicago", the film), great sound and amazing people who fill your laptop, HD TV, and/or soul.

If you never saw the original show, or the revival, I am sorry. But luckily for all of us, "Every Little Step" is a viable, satisfying and memorable alternative.

[ZACH]
"Step, kick, kick, leap, kick, touch...Again!
Step, kick, kick, leap, kick, touch...Again!
Step, kick, kick, leap, kick, touch...Again!
Step, kick, kick, leap, kick, touch...Right!
That connects with...
Turn, turn, out, in, jump, step,
Step, kick, kick, leap, kick, touch.
Got it?... Going on. And...
Turn, turn, touch, down, back, step,
Pivot, step, walk, walk, walk.

Right! Let's do the whole combination,
Facing away from the mirror.
From the top. A-Five, six, seven, eight!

[ALL]
God, I hope I get it.
I hope I get it.
How many people does he need? "
Song 'I Hope I Get It' from 'Chorus Line'

'Every Little Step' is all about the auditioning for a show about auditioning. 'Chorus Line' that glorious show by Michael Bennett, is about to be played again on Broadway. We see up close and personal the people going for the auditions, and a little bit about their lives. This film follows several singer/dancers through their audition process.

Broadway "gypsies", the show's background chorus are coming together for the 2006 auditions for the revival of 'Chorus Line'. We see how the auditions are composed, what the dancers/singers go through and how discouraging and encouraging each audition is. Michael Bennett came up with the idea for the play. One winter night in 1974, Bennett gathered a group of dancers and asked everyone to talk about their lives while taping everything. The tapes were dramatic and confessional, it is said. The idea of 'Chorus Line' came to be. And, we all know the success of the show. I was fortunate to see the original Broadway show, and love everything about it. It opened in 1975, received 9 Tony Awards, a Pulitzer, and ran for 6,137 performances before closing in 1990. In 2006, 3,000 people applied in the audition process. We follow some of these people as they are moved on or told 'thanks alot, but no thanks'.

We are also privy to the history of 'Chorus Line' from some of the people originally involved, and that is a fascinating part of the film. "Composer Marvin Hamlisch credits Marsha Mason with a suggestion that turned A Chorus Line's fortunes around. After seeing a preview, she told Bennett that "it was wrong that that girl (Cassie) doesn't get the job." Bennett took the criticism to heart, the ending was changed, Cassie was hired, and as Hamlisch reports, "there were standing ovations from that night."

Those 3,000 people all do these auditions for one reason, They Do It For Love.

Highly Recommended. prisrob 12-16-09

It is a fascinating documentary, not only for a in depth glimps of a major musical on Broadway's casting process, also a great perspective from those who must make the decision.

Show biz is so very subjective. Those who made the callbacks are all talented performers. But to cast for specific roles, the winners and losers become more and more obvious gearing towards the final callback.

I thought, with all the talent on Broadway, it must be hard to pick the right persons. Wrong. I viewed the DVD for the first time and was able to choose the ones being casted from the final callback scenes before the final cast was revealed. How? By knowing what each role is all about and by seeing the intercutting footage of each finalist doing the same dance routine/song/dialogue for the same role he/she was competing. Seeing it from the decision maker's point of view, the chosen ones became very obvious.

SPOILER ALERT, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHO GOT IT, STOP READING

Tyce was a great dancer/singer but he's too arrogant to be "Mike", a decent and easy going young man.

Jason Tam was no doubt the choice for "Paul". I viewed his monologue (that made the production team cry) twice and both times I weeped, too. The most amazing thing is that he snapped out character as soon as he left the audition room! I found out later that his upbring was very unlike the character Paul's. I don't know how he could bring such wrechedness and deep emotion out into the open to be Paul.....amazing.

Chryssie Whitehead was absolutely adorable as "Christine". Her spunk and cute face were a leathal combination. She reminds me of Sandra Bullock. I wonder why Ms Whitehead wasn't on many feature film casting agents' top list for comedy or rom com?

Rachelle and Deidre were both fiesty performers. It was too bad that Rachelle got into a wistful mindset before performing Shiela for the final cutback. Seeing Deidre's interpretation of Shiela right after Rachelle's put any doubt to rest because Deidre was Shiela. By the way, Deidre reminds me of Michelle Obama, assured, physically strong, and intellegent.

Jessica Lee was a bit young to be Val during the earlier callbacks. I thought she'd be a great Maggie, her being so young and a bit unsure. However, her final callback's performance of Val was terrific. She's easily the best dancer in the lineup but she's also convincing as a flirty and no nonsense Val.

All in all, A Chorus Line is one of my all time favorite musicals. I adore almost all of the songs and underscore in it. I even like the movie version! Long live A Chorus Line and wish for more rivivals to come!

OUTSTANDING!!! A CHORUS LINE is one of my favorite Broadway musicals and to hear the original meetings with Michael Bennett was such a treasure. Then to see how the characters unfolded through their auditions and what the casting team were looking for was a unique look inside the revival cast. I'm a huge fan of Nikki Snelson, but never knew she was in the running for "Val." Tyce DiOrio? Ugh. Jason Tam's 'Paul' monologue broke my heart. Outstanding!! Overall, a great product.

For the legions of theater lovers who treasure A CHORUS LINE this informative and fascinating little film will bring memories and tears and satisfaction. The story behind the film is a documentary of sorts that examines the remake of the now nearly thirty-five year old Broadway sensation of a show that was created by Michael Bennett from a recorded conversation with 'gypsies' (a common term for those who work the chorus line). The road from conception to completion for the original show is mirrored by the struggles to cast this re-staging. We are privileged to observe scores of talented dancer/singers as they try to satisfy the team that will have the final say in who is selected for the production. Those familiar with the original cast as well as the movie version or one of the many traveling troupes that have keep this show alive will make their own decisions about who is best for each of the roles. This provides a very immediate replay of the original idea, watching the reactions of each of the people who audition, learning about their own lives, and the importance that appearing in this production means to each. They take what could have been an insider's story and make it viable - which most certainly adds to the joy of seeing and hearing bits and pieces of one of the best shows Broadway ever produced. There is a lot of humor here, some very gut wrenching drama (as we see one of the dancers recreate Paul's monologue), and load of fine memories. Grady Harp, November 09

A fabulous story, not just for dancers,actors and singers, but for those who know them and love them. A special look inside a Broadway revival like you've never seen before. Anyone who's ever gone on a job interview, of any kind, can relate to this movie. The victory of landing the job, and the heartbreak of being rejected.
An absolutely wonderful documentary. A tribute to all the creators, and the immortilization of the greatest American written, Broadway show!

This documentary, lovingly constructed and produced, is a must-have for anyone interested in the process of auditioning, the emotional journey of an actor, and the components of putting on a show. As a performer and an educator, I find this engaging film to be a fascinating look into the heartache, the triumph, the passion, and the resilience of people driven by their love of the theatre. It captures so much of the work of the theatre practitioner, from the creation, from the truth of its inspiration to the discipline of the performers, to the challenging task of the casting director to the vision of the director and choreographer to ultimately the audience's integral role in the final most crucial part of the entire process. Films like this, and Moon Over Broadway and Show Business, are such amazing and affectionate portraits of a world and a people who realize that talent and ambition are often not enough but when the stars align, the reward for all involved is like nothing else in the world. One singular sensation, indeed.
Watch this brilliant film and then go out to the live theatre and feel your life change and your appreciate grow.

I have to go against the tide of all the rave reviews here. I'm a huge fan of A Chorus Line, and I've read most of the books written about its creation and history. What I was hoping for in this video was the story of the dancers auditioning for the revival, which was definitely there. However, there was much more archival material and personal interviews than I had expected, to the detriment of documenting the audition process. I was disappointed that we followed auditions for only a handful of the characters. In addition, I found that in many cases the dancers' stories were relatively superficial and I found it difficult to get emotionally involved with them and cheer for my favorites (although the candidates for Sheila and Cassie were notable exceptions). I enjoyed the film but toward the end I was forwarding through the interviews to find what I really wanted, which was the personal stories of the dancers. One unexpected bonus was getting to know the present-day Baayork Lee (and finding out that she is delightful). It would have been nice if the film had included more "where are they now?" features about the original cast members. I guess my expectations didn't really match what this video delivered, but I'm not sorry I bought it.

I like it very much except one thing [it's always something!]. WHAT HAPPENED TO DIANA?. Yes that one, the one who sings "What I did for love". I would like to see the faces on the panel auditioning Natalie Cortez. She really looks the part, and her "Nothing" is tremendous.
Later, we can hear her singing over the credits. In "deleated scenes", we listen to Priscilla Lopez telling the original story. But that is not enough.
Just for that reason I am giving four stars instead of five.

After writing this "review" I read she was cast early. Wasn't she auditioned at all?
Even somebody with a last name as D'amboise was. Everyone should be in the film!