KO Musical: A Singular Sensation

An ensemble cast of supremely talented Upper School students performed A Chorus Line for its yearly musical on February 23 and 24, adding to KO’s impressive string of high-caliber shows over the past several years. 

 

A Chorus Line, Broadway’s seventh longest-running show, does not follow a linear narrative but rather delves into the personalities of the 17 actors vying for eight spots on the “line.” Instead of performing, acting, or dancing for the show’s director (played by college counselor Matt Waldman) for the roles, the director challenges the actors to share their personal stories to reveal their motivations and inner workings. What ensues in the unfolding of the actors’ backgrounds is at turns hilarious and heartbreaking, much like life itself.

 

Impeccably cast, each student played their characters to perfection and inhabited their roles completely, holding their character’s stance for virtually the entire performance when not dancing or singing, no easy feat. There were bravura performances by Leo Kollen, Matthew Habeeb, and Riley Mapp, whose characters shared the indignity of puberty and all the bodily functions and foibles accompanying it.  The stellar pipes of Audrey Karasik (Maggie) carried the number “At the Ballet,” whose character related her harsh family dynamics along with the tough Shiela, played by Diya Mistri with plenty of sass and attitude.

 

Much of the musical exposes the characters’ insecurities and hard knocks they have experienced. Molly Palmer’s character, Cassie, agonizes over getting the part in the line after achieving scant success in her career, even though she is a far more accomplished dancer than a mere chorus member. Palmer powered through a magnificent solo dance encompassing every inch of the set for “The Music and the Mirror,” delivering a professional-level, breath-taking, and (literal) back-bending performance. To perfect her performance, Palmer even spent one day in Manhattan working one-on-one with actor Jessica Lee Goldyn (who portrayed the character in the Broadway revival in 2006) for her dance number. “Being able to spend just one day with her was life-changing,” Palmer said. “And I have gained valuable information about “A Chorus Line” and what it means to be a performer.”

 

In a powerfully quiet moment, Jason Chen (Paul) delivered an 11-minute monologue about his 16-year-old character’s hidden sexuality, shielding his gay lifestyle and cross-dressing dance hall performances from his parents, whom he is certain would reject him. Chen did great credit to the script by not rushing his lines, letting the pauses build, and allowing the drama to unfold, eventually leading the director Zack to embrace him. Chen held the audience spellbound.

 

The excellent performance of the students was in no shortage of the hours and hours dedicated to rehearsal time – after school well into the evening hours and on weekends. Broadway stars Jessica Lee Goldyn and Mara Davi, who were in the original revival of A Chorus Line in 2006, visited campus and workshopped with the students – a fantastic opportunity for our thespians.

 

The musical taps into so many aspects and dimensions of the KO students. Zaire Ramiz, whose joyous, high-energy performance of Richie was a standout, said it best. “Theater at KO is a truly one-of-a-kind experience,” Ramiz said. “Between performance skills, public speaking, and the subject matter of the shows we put on, our musicals are extremely educational, and every show is a new learning experience.”

 

Special kudos to the tech crew who operated in a compressed time frame to construct the set due to repairs in the Roberts Theater. Massive floor-to-ceiling pivoting mirrors dominated the sparse set, which echoed the space in a dance practice studio. During the final celebratory number, “Singular Sensation,” the actors donned beige satin top hats and tails. At the same time, the mirrors switched to an art-deco-inspired backdrop while “A Chorus Line” in theater lights descended from the ceiling.

 

The Cast

Don……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Jacob Mapp

Maggie…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Audrey Karasik

Mike…………………………………………………………………………………………………………Teague Shamleffer

Connie…………………………………………………………………………………….Danica Arwen Lachica De Dios

Greg (Understudy: Paul) ……………………………………………………………………………………….Leo Kollen

Cassie………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Molly Palmer

Sheila……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Diya Mistri

Bobby…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Matthew Habeeb

Bebe…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Lily Temkin

Judy (Understudy: Maggie) ……………………………………………………………………………….Anna Tippner

Richie………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Zaire Ramiz

Al………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Gordon Beck

Kristine…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Juliana Chipelo

Val (Understudy: Cassie) …………………………………………………………………………………….Lucy Ybarra

Mark (Understudy: Richie)…………………………………………………………………………………….Riley Mapp

Paul………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Jason Chen

Diana………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Jill Alexander

Laurie (Understudy: Kristine)……………………………………………………………………………….Jane Morris

Vicki (Understudy: Judy)……………………………………………………………………………………Marlee Diana

Frank (Understudy: Don Greg, Al) ………………………………………………………………………Miles Gruber

Tammy (Understudy: Diana)……………………………………………………………………….Keysy Lopez-Diaz

Roy (Understudy: Mike, Bobby, Mark)……………………………………………………………..Marco Ramirez

Barbara (Understudy: Val) …………………………………………………………………………..Eleanor Toomey

Tricia (Understudy: Connie)………………………………………………………………………………Cherry Zhang

Lois (Understudy: Sheila) …………………………………………………………………………..Genesis Frimpong

 

Production Staff

 

Stage Manager…………………………………………………………………………………………….Els Morris

Assistant Stage Manager………………………………………………………………………Hannah Bateson

Light Board Operator…………………………………………………………………………………Jack Morris

Stage Crew/ Set Construction……………Hannah Bateson, Matthew Belo, Alexandre Picard,

Maysarah Javed, Delphine Lamattina, Els Morris, Brady Moy, Ryan Sadowsky.

Musicians: John Mastroiani, Liz Smith, Harry Kliewe, Mike Paglione, Pete Roe, Bobby Salerno, Jeff Sirois, Benjamin Herrington, Matt Murphy, Adam Myers, Susan Carroll, David Marottolo, Elliott Wallace, David Edricks, Jordan Brint.

 

Kyle Renolds – Director

Steve Mitchell – Music Director

Michael Bane – Tech Direcotor

Jack Richards – Costume Designer

Nicole Henkel – Choreographer