A Chorus Line as a live tv musical

[rattleNwoolypenguin]

Posted: 11/29/16 at 11:09pm

How about it?

They could do the whole thing in an actual theatre, and there would finally be a representation of the show that isn't just that stupid 80s movie.

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 11/29/16 at 11:12pm

I would be so happy, but they would have to make heavy edits to the material in order for it to be appropriate for television.

[Cfried]

Posted: 11/29/16 at 11:16pm

Unfortunately, I can't imagine it would appeal to families. Plus, it's not really a popular title (for non-theatre people) that everyone would know or be interested in watching live. 

[rattleNwoolypenguin]

Posted: 11/29/16 at 11:25pm

The edits would be annoying but they wouldn't be sacrificing the story. 

It ran for such a long time on broadway and was a huge hit. Is it really that unknown? 

 

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 11/29/16 at 11:37pm

Constant commercial breaks would destroy the momentum and build of the piece.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 11/29/16 at 11:38pm

Maybe not live, but a full-length uncensored film adaptation on a premium channel (such as HBO) could be absolutely beautiful if done right. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 11/30/16 at 12:01am

I feel like A CHORUS LINE is a show that can only play the stage. Watching the movie and just seeing them play to an empty theater seemed considerably less electrifying than it could have been

[gypsy101]

Posted: 11/30/16 at 12:19am

it was a bad film.

i agree with greasedlightning, a filmed live performance could be great.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 11/30/16 at 1:58am

You can watch the original production on YouTube.  Can it really be bested?  I doubt it.

[MadonnaMusical]

Posted: 11/30/16 at 8:36am

How bout on HBO???? Please!!!!!

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 11/30/16 at 8:58am

"Plus, it's not really a popular title (for non-theatre people) that everyone would know or be interested in watching live."

It's the sixth longest running Broadway musical, does that mean nothing?

"I feel like A CHORUS LINE is a show that can only play the stage."

I understand why you might feel that way.  But many, including myself, also felt that about another quintessentially "theatrical" show,  CHICAGO, which was a huge unexpected hit as a movie.
Doesn't it all boil down to how good the result is?
 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 11/30/16 at 9:05am

it would certainly need to take place in a theater. That's obvious. But then there's also the issue of getting some "names" in the show. Look at the recent production at the Hollywood Bowl. I wouldn't say any big names took part of the production compared to other shows at the Bowl. And there's the other issue of who directs it. I doubt it happens anytime soon as I feel there's a lot of other shows to be done before A Chorus Line even gets mentioned.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 11/30/16 at 9:44am

I would love it if the original staging were documented for broadcast release - along with THE FANTASTICKS (which would be lovely as a live streaming broadcast like they did with Daddy Long Legs).

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/30/16 at 10:22am

And another fly in the ointment:

tv musicals seem to rely on stars to sell it.  Chorus Line makes no sense with stars.  Has to be never heard ofs. 

 

I disagree with the thought only theater people caring about it: the original production didn't get to be the 6th longest running show on Bway from only theater people seeing it.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 11/30/16 at 10:56am

I think doing a filmed version of original staging for a network like HBO or Showtime would be the best approach for A CHORUS LINE.  I agree you don't want stars but you could get a higher profile name for Zach, and perhaps Cassie and it would still maintain the show's integrity.

[newintown]

Posted: 11/30/16 at 11:07am

"The edits would be annoying but they wouldn't be sacrificing the story."

What story? A Chorus Line is all character stuff, there's no actual story.

Additionally, I would find the camera work of the choreography intrusive, rather than enlightening; I really hate it when camera directors decide for me what I should look at in group dance numbers.

[darquegk]

Posted: 11/30/16 at 11:24am

The film of "A Chorus Line" is stuck in an awkward place between wanting to be its own thing, like "Cabaret," and wanting to be faithful to the show it's adapting. I wish it had gone the whole way and been a film inspired by "A Chorus Line," like Cabaret is only mostly inspired by the stage show.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 11/30/16 at 12:43pm

Funnily enough, that's what Michael Bennett basically wanted to do, albeit without as much departure as the final product (or Cabaret, to use your example) -- he wanted to film it as though those auditioning were auditioning for the film version of A Chorus Line, and the stories were coming from them. Inspired by it while being faithful.

[Valentina3]

Posted: 11/30/16 at 12:50pm

If they can get Amy Sherman-Palladino to direct it, I can see a mini series in the style of Bunheads (but much darker) work beautifully on Netflix or HBO. There's your Kelly Bishop connection.

[saxpower]

Posted: 11/30/16 at 1:02pm

Just as long as they don't make "What I Did for Love" a love song,  I saw the film ages before I got to see the show, and actually thought the movie usage was the "meaning" of the song until I finally saw the show (tour in the late 80s with Donna McKechnie [sp?] as Cassie).  Also, don't replace a lengthy montage/song, with input from the whole cast, about growing up AND finding your identity with a forgettable song primarily sung by one character (thus deleting other character development).   

 

My apologies if my recollection about what dialogue was cut when they replaced Hello 12 with "Surprise" but, really, if you're going to replace a song, that was not the one to take out. 

[Theater_Nerd]

Posted: 11/30/16 at 2:25pm

I don't think this would work as a live television musical. The ones done so far "Sound of Music", "The Wiz", "Peter Pan", "Grease" and "Hairspray" are all family friendly shows. "A Chorus Line" on the other hand deals with some subject matter that is not suitable for children. 

I can see it working as a live theatrical performance a la "Live from Lincoln Center" or even a taped theatrical performance airing on either public television or a premium cable network.

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 11/30/16 at 9:31pm

A CHORUS LINE was known nationwide back in 1975...and that was basically in a country with three television networks and NO "social media"...or Internet for that matter.

[evic]

Posted: 11/30/16 at 9:32pm

Would not work.....one set and all references to 60's would be lost on more than half the audience.....how many teens now know who Robert Goulet and Troy Donohue.are.....and Ed Sullivan.  It would be a bore on TV.