Running Around!

This is a fantastically interesting documentary that just opened this past weekend in NY and LA. It tracks the casting process for the revival of “A Chorus Line”.

While this casting process is for musical theater, it struck me pretty much as exactly the same as what actors go through. When you’re an actor, it’s often hard not to replay your audition in your head, ask what you did right, what you did wrong, etc. Even the most minor things you can get caught up in. It’s like any job interview — only this one has a specialized process. All those minor things really weren’t the deciding factor. What so struck me when watching this documentary was really how simple everything was from the viewpoint of the director and co. You’d see people who you didn’t think was right and they wouldn’t bring them back. You’d see people who were good but you weren’t sure about and they’d get a callback. And then you’d see people who were so good that you didn’t even realize they were acting and performing. They’d get the part.

Bob Avian, the director, also said something really enlightening, I thought. He kept mentioning how important it was that the performer had an immediate likability factor. It’s hard to know what it is — but I don’t think it’s any different than in life. Some people are just nice people that you like and root for. You get that sense immediately. You want to watch these people. I really don’t think this is something you can act because it gets down to the core of who you are. I guess I would put it this way. If you’re a jerk in real life, don’t expect that you can walk into the audition room and pretend like you’re a nice guy. They’ll know immediately you’re a jerk. It’s almost impossible for them not to. They see THOUSANDS of auditions — and that’s just for this production, let alone over the course of a career.

Unfortunately, the cast that was picked for the revival is no longer the same one that’s currently on tour — which is really too bad; I wanted to go out and immediately buy tickets for the next time I’m in NY if the same cast that I saw in the movie was still on Broadway. (and in a very funny coincidence, one of the company members of the current company actually went to my high school) It’s hard not to get attached to (and want to see perform) the cast that was chosen.

In any event — highly recommended documentary. Even for those not in the entertainment field (but maybe just like seeing how things are put together) — “Every Little Step” was just wonderful.