"And Then I Saw 'The Red Shoes,' And I Wanted To Be That Lady, That Redhead!"

                          When I saw "A Chorus Line" for the first time, on October 25, 1975, what resonated with me the most is how more like the cast members I was than I thought being different.  And the first revelation came when Kelly (than Carole) Bishop, as Sheila, spoke those lines.

                            I understood, because I too saw "The Red Shoes," at about age 13.  And though I don't dance, I understand the impetus that drives all in the performing arts.  So, like Kelly/Sheila, I too wanted to be Moira Shearer in the movie.

                              Except for that ending. Now, I understand that it works for the cinematic romanticism of the movie; the whole Leo Tolstoy/"Anna Karenina" thing, not to mention that the titular shoes, as in the Hans Christian Andersen story, have the power to destroy.

                                 But suicide over being unable to choose between Boris and dance, and Julian Krastner?  Oh, my God!  Of course, I would dance for Anton Walbrook, because Krastner, as played by Marius Goring in the film, is such a wuss, I would dance away from him as soon as possible.  This is my personal fallacy with the film, but it does not stop me from enjoying it.  And when Moira ascends those stairs...girls, I am telling you, if that happens, we had all better wear our special capes.

                                   Mine would be red.  Just like the shoes.