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Shea McDonough

Musical Theatre Workshop


January 21, 2015
Every Little Step Reaction Paper
Every Little Step, a documentary directed by James D. Stern and Adam
Del Deo, follows the creative and casting processes of the musical A Chorus
Line. Having originally premiered in 1975, the musical has developed quite a
large fan base over the decades due to its honesty in depicting the life and
times of the average actor/performer. Every Little Step parallels and
contrasts the first production of A Chorus Line with the 2006 revival while
also providing background information on the cast, crew, and deceased
director Michael Bennett.
In New York City circa 1974, Michael Bennett hosted an open dialogue
about the experiences of the individuals cast in the original production of A
Chorus Line. The discussion was tape recorded and later used in Every Little
Step. As a viewer, I found this whole aspect of the film to be very
entertaining and intriguing. It inspired me to try having similar brain
storming sessions.
Every Little Step spends a great deal of time focusing on the group of
young performers fighting for their spot in the 2006 revival. I was thoroughly
impressed with the caliber of talent in this particular audition pool. I believed
all the actors featured in the documentary to be triple threats, not to
mention physically attractive. They were not merely actor/singers who could

move; they could dance. When I first saw the actress later cast as Val, I was
floored by her commitment to the choreography. Her body created gorgeous
lines and angles and she was beaming with energy and ferocity. The young
man auditioning for Paul (who later received the role) gave an unbelievably
touching performance of Pauls monologue. Paul recalls a time where he
realized his father truly loves him and wants to protect him. The young
actors emotion and body language appeared so genuine. I would be wise to
study his performance of that monologue because he truly embodied what a
modern young actor needs.
I will say, however, I was surprised at how human these actors came
across. Whenever I envision a Broadway performer, I think of a perfectly
professional attitude and nerves of steel. But these actors get nervous before
an audition just like I do. They even slipped up on their lyrics and dialogue in
front of the casting directors. I was not too surprised to see some of the egos
that came out in the lobby outside of the audition room. I wish all actors
could be kind to one another and not so full of themselves. I hope to have a
similar attitude and demeanor to Baayork Lee (the original Connie and
choreographer). She was just delightful.

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