May 27 - June 13, 2009
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| A MUSICAL ABOUT MUSICALS and the backstage story of A CHORUS LINE great new musical, which pays tribute to the creative musicals ever!genius behind one of the most legendary Broadway musicals ever! |
| Music & Lyrics by Ed Kleban Book by Linda Kline & Lonny Price |
PAUL CHRISTMAN
LESLEY ANSELL
SHEILA LACASSE
MALCOLM BYRNE
JOE CASCONE
LESLEY ANSELL
SHEILA LACASSE
MALCOLM BYRNE
JOE CASCONE
| Music Director Choreography by Costumes by Production Stage Manager Directed by |
| CAST |
JOE CASCONE
CAROLINE MORO-DALICANDRO
DAVID HAINES
JOANNE KENNEDY
LARRY GIBBS
JULIE LENNICK
STEPHANIE DOUGLAS
SUSAN SANDERS
ERIC BOTOSAN
CAROLINE MORO-DALICANDRO
DAVID HAINES
JOANNE KENNEDY
LARRY GIBBS
JULIE LENNICK
STEPHANIE DOUGLAS
SUSAN SANDERS
ERIC BOTOSAN
| Ed Kleban Sophie Bobby / Marvin Hamlisch Lucy Charlie / Michael Bennett Felicia Mona Zoe Lehman Engel |
A Class Act
June 3, 2009
The songs of Ed Kleban will startle you with their freshness, honesty and genuine heart. If his name doesn’t
exactly ring a bell, don’t worry. Even among Broadway fans he remains something of an unknown. His story is
told in the musical A Class Act, currently on stage at Fairview Library Theatre.
It’s no rags-to-riches fairy-tale. Kleban, known only today as the lyricist of A Chorus Line, it seems, was a difficult
personality wracked by phobias who passed away at age 48 a victim of cancer brought on by a life of chain
smoking. In many ways he was his own worst enemy, but when he sat down at the piano he had a gift of melody
that was the envy of all his friends.
Kleban knew how to construct lyrics as well, as anyone who knows A Chorus Line can attest. But the brass ring
eluded him. Although he won a Tony award for that show, it was a mixed blessing since he really wanted to be a
composer as well as lyricist.
All of this – and a good deal more – is covered in A Class Act, a compelling musical presented by The Civic Light
Opera Company that lives up to their usual high standards.
Joe Cascone takes on the role of Kleban, choosing to downplay though not ignore the more obnoxious side of his
personality. He gets the plums of this score including “Paris Through the Window” and the incredibly moving “Self
Portrait.”
As Sophie, the woman who figures most prominently in the composer’s life, Caroline Moro-Dalicandro creates a
sympathetic portrait. Stephanie Douglas has a memorable moment in the first half as she seduces the very willing
Ed, while Joanne Kennedy creates a multi-layered portrayal of the songwriter’s longtime best pal, Lucy. Julie
Lennick provides some humour as the sniping Felicia, and Susan Sanders appears as colleague and accompanist,
Zoe.
Larry Gibbs has fun playing up Michael Bennett’s impishness, bypassing the legendary choreographer’s nasty side.
David Haines does double duty portraying Marvin Hamlisch – the composer of A Chorus Line – as well as a fellow
BMI workshop student and friend Bobby. And Eric Botosan gives a charming portrayal of Ed’s long-time mentor,
the legendary Lehman Engel.
Music director Paul Christman ensures that the seven-member orchestra provides solid support and that the
performers feel confident. In acting, singing and dancing this cast performs with assurance. The show moves
along briskly, enhanced by Lesley Ansell’s innovative choreography.
The real pleasure here is the chance to get to know some of Kleban’s catalogue. Some of the songs like “Better”
and “What I did for Love” are familiar enough, but you will be amazed at the incredible talent this composer had.
After seeing this show you will want to get the original cast CD so you can hear the songs again, they are that good.
Near the end of A Class Act Ed realized that the real pleasure comes not from the recognition, but from the work.
The members of The Civic Light Opera Company are very obviously enjoying presenting this story and singing
these sings, and that ultimately makes this show something special.
June 3, 2009
The songs of Ed Kleban will startle you with their freshness, honesty and genuine heart. If his name doesn’t
exactly ring a bell, don’t worry. Even among Broadway fans he remains something of an unknown. His story is
told in the musical A Class Act, currently on stage at Fairview Library Theatre.
It’s no rags-to-riches fairy-tale. Kleban, known only today as the lyricist of A Chorus Line, it seems, was a difficult
personality wracked by phobias who passed away at age 48 a victim of cancer brought on by a life of chain
smoking. In many ways he was his own worst enemy, but when he sat down at the piano he had a gift of melody
that was the envy of all his friends.
Kleban knew how to construct lyrics as well, as anyone who knows A Chorus Line can attest. But the brass ring
eluded him. Although he won a Tony award for that show, it was a mixed blessing since he really wanted to be a
composer as well as lyricist.
All of this – and a good deal more – is covered in A Class Act, a compelling musical presented by The Civic Light
Opera Company that lives up to their usual high standards.
Joe Cascone takes on the role of Kleban, choosing to downplay though not ignore the more obnoxious side of his
personality. He gets the plums of this score including “Paris Through the Window” and the incredibly moving “Self
Portrait.”
As Sophie, the woman who figures most prominently in the composer’s life, Caroline Moro-Dalicandro creates a
sympathetic portrait. Stephanie Douglas has a memorable moment in the first half as she seduces the very willing
Ed, while Joanne Kennedy creates a multi-layered portrayal of the songwriter’s longtime best pal, Lucy. Julie
Lennick provides some humour as the sniping Felicia, and Susan Sanders appears as colleague and accompanist,
Zoe.
Larry Gibbs has fun playing up Michael Bennett’s impishness, bypassing the legendary choreographer’s nasty side.
David Haines does double duty portraying Marvin Hamlisch – the composer of A Chorus Line – as well as a fellow
BMI workshop student and friend Bobby. And Eric Botosan gives a charming portrayal of Ed’s long-time mentor,
the legendary Lehman Engel.
Music director Paul Christman ensures that the seven-member orchestra provides solid support and that the
performers feel confident. In acting, singing and dancing this cast performs with assurance. The show moves
along briskly, enhanced by Lesley Ansell’s innovative choreography.
The real pleasure here is the chance to get to know some of Kleban’s catalogue. Some of the songs like “Better”
and “What I did for Love” are familiar enough, but you will be amazed at the incredible talent this composer had.
After seeing this show you will want to get the original cast CD so you can hear the songs again, they are that good.
Near the end of A Class Act Ed realized that the real pleasure comes not from the recognition, but from the work.
The members of The Civic Light Opera Company are very obviously enjoying presenting this story and singing
these sings, and that ultimately makes this show something special.
| Joe Cascone as Ed Kleban and Caroline Moro-Dalicandro as Sophie |