2011 Chorus Boys and Girls, Part II

Late last month, I selected two cast members from each of the first five musicals to begin previews in this "second half" of the 2010 - 2011 season, the idea being that I'd try to focus some more of my viewing energy on the unsung heroes of the Broadway musical - the chorus or ensemble.  And specifically, I'd keep my eye on one guy and one gal in each show's ensemble.  My selections for Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, The Book of Mormon, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert and Catch Me If You Can are HERE.

And here are my selections for the final 5 musicals to begin previews this season:

Anything Goes
Previews: March 10     Opening Night: April 7

Chorus Boy: Adam Perry (Ensemble)
Credits: A Chorus Line, Promises, Promises, Wicked

Chorus Girl: Joyce Chittick (Angel/Ensemble)
Credits: Cabaret, The Pajama Game

Why Them: He: Still somewhat new, but with a wide variety of experience in dancing.  She: Ms. Chittick is the very definition of "Broadway gypsy" and deserves my undivided attention.

Perry (center) in Broadway Backwards 5

Chittick in Broadway Musicals of '64

 

Wonderland
Previews: March 21     Opening Night: April 17

Chorus Boy: Derek Ferguson (Ensemble)
Credits: Broadway debut; We Will Rock You, High School Musical National Tour

Chorus Girl: Sae La Chin (Ensemble)
Credits: White Christmas, Fosse, The King and I

Why Them: Aside from a variety of credits, he has toured/danced with Miley Cyrus, Ne-Yo and Paula Abdul, and she has danced as a Radio City Rockette.  Both have made a career out of shining in the background without pulling focus from the front!

(Top) The National Tour of Disney's High School Musical

(Bottom) Broadway's Irving Berlin's White Christmas

Sister Act
Previews: March 24     Opening Night: April 20

Chorus Boy: Blake Hammond (Ensemble)
Credits: Hairspray, Elf: The Musical, Kiss Me, Kate

Chorus Girl: Christina DeCicco (Ensemble)
Credits: Broadway debut, Wicked National Tour as Glinda

Why Them:  Can these two, who have played major leading roles in two giant musicals, do good work in the background?

He was Pumbaa in The Lion King;

she was Glinda in the National Tour of Wicked

Baby, It's You!
Previews: March 26     Opening Night: April 27

Chorus Boy: Brandon Uranowitz (Ensemble)
Credits: Broadway debut; regional/tour credits: Brighton Beach Memoirs, RENT

Chorus Girl: Alison Cimmet (Ensemble)
Credits: A Tale of Two Cities

Why Them:  Two Broadway newbies...

Brandon was in Broadway Bound regionally with Karen Ziemba.

Alison has apppeard in Don't Quit Your Night Job with Marc Kudisch.

The People in the Picture
Previews: April 1     Opening Night: April 28

Chorus Boy: Jeremy Schecter (Ensemble)
Credits: A Chorus Line, The Pajama Game, Beauty and the Beast

Chorus Girl: Megan Reinking (Ensemble)
Credits: Hair, Lestat, Dracula: The Musical

Why Them: Can they go from featured roles to ensemble members?  You bet they can!

Both center: he in A Chorus Line; she in Hair

Any chorus folks you think I missed?  Let me know!  Leave your thoughts her, email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com or Tweet me!
Jeff
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