Theater League Demonstrates ‘Chorus Line’s’ Magical Power

In “A Chorus Line,” a Broadway dance audition becomes a metaphor for life--that daily audition for love, recognition and respect. It’s uncommonly powerful material, which, alas, is also uncommonly difficult to get right.

For the Theater League production that played in Long Beach over the weekend and runs tonight through Sept. 29 in Thousand Oaks, director-choreographer Sam Viverito and his cast sometimes fall short of the challenge, but they capture the story’s urgency, enabling the 1975 musical to work its old magic.

In re-creating the late Michael Bennett’s staging, Viverito works once again with several of the players from his June staging for Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities.

Most notable among them is Michael Albert Simms as Paul, a dancer who has built a proud career out of an uncertain, marginalized youth. Hands in pockets, face nervously downcast, Simms’ Paul reluctantly shares his story during the audition process. Gradually, though, his emotions cause ever-widening fissures in his composure, unleashing a flood that sweeps the audience along.

Welcome returns also are made by Laura Soltis as the sultry Sheila and Kelli Fish as the exuberant Val--although, like most of their compatriots, they feel compelled to make every gesture big, big, big to reach the back of these large auditoriums.

Lora Anderson and Tony Spinosa are winning as Kristine and Al, the nervous, tone-deaf wife and overly helpful husband who face the audition together, and Marcia Francisco lends a contagious energy to Diana, though her singing voice, while sweet, lacks power in the important “Nothing” and “What I Did for Love” numbers.

In the especially difficult role of Cassie, Susan Carr George brings a dynamic voice and emotional honesty to the key “The Music and the Mirror” number, but her movements, while proficient, just don’t snap or crackle.

Saturday evening in Long Beach, the biggest problems came from the pit, where orchestra tempos and sound levels stampeded the action onstage. Here’s hoping that everyone keeps putting it on the line, working ever harder to meet this show’s unique challenges.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

* “A Chorus Line,” Fred Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Tuesday through Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 and 7 p.m.; Sept. 28 and 29, 8 p.m. Ends Sept. 29. $29.50-$38.50. (805) 583-8700 or (213) 480-3232. Running time: 2 hours, 5 minutes.

Susan Carr George: Cassie

Marcia Francisco: Diana

Michael Albert Simms: Paul

Laura Soltis: Sheila

Kelli Fish: Val

Lora Anderson: Kristine

Tony Spinosa: Al

Paul Hadobas: Zack

Matt Zarley: Mike

A Theater League production. Conceived and originally directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett; co-choreographed by Bob Avian. Book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante. Music by Marvin Hamlisch. Lyrics by Edward Kleban. Director-choreographer Sam Viverito. Musical director Lloyd Cooper. Lights Kim Killingsworth. Stage manager Robert R. Read.