Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

AshUnow This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Helllins It is both painfully honest and laugh-out-loud funny at the same time.

Neive Bellamy Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

penwah2 A Chorus Line and I came of age right around the same time, so it has not only an aesthetic appeal for me but a nostalgic one as well. I've seen several live versions and of course the movie, which could never measure up to any live performance just because of the nature of the subject, but made the show accessible to those who couldn't see it live. I did not know what to expect upon viewing Every Little Step, but how could I be disappointed given the subject matter and its irresistible music? Reviewers here have criticized a variety of omissions in the film, charging that it is inaccurate and/or incomplete. However, I see Every Little Step as more of a multi-media magazine piece than a documentary. How amazing to listen to the interviews with the dancers back in 1974 which provided the inspiration for the musical! I thoroughly enjoyed the blending of footage of original auditions and performances in the 70s with the current audition process for the 2006 revival. Though I was disappointed not to see auditions for Morales and wondered why some of the stories were not completed, I did learn some things in retrospect that I had never known back then (eg, the Kelly Bishop I always enjoyed in Dirty Dancing is the Sheila I have been listening to all these years on the Broadway cast album). The film successfully engaged me emotionally and made me realize that it is A Chorus Line which inspired my interest in American Idol throughout these years and why that show continues to be a separate entity from these other wannabe reality shows. ELS also sent me right to the internet to dig up more Chorus Line history and cast info and You Tube performances to keep me involved and singing all afternoon, even after finishing the extra features on the DVD (there are plenty). What a lovely way to spend an afternoon.I didn't set out to be a critical viewer of this film, only to find out more about this timeless piece, and I enjoyed every little step of it.

gregking4 In 1974 Broadway director and choreographer Michael Bennett sat down with a group of dancers and interviewed them in intimate detail about their lives, careers and aspirations. The transcripts of that 12-hour session became the basis for Bennett's extravagant new musical A Chorus Line which explored the passions, dedication, determination and personal stories of dancers keen to tread the boards on Broadway. The show scooped the pool at the 1976 Tony Awards, winning nine Tonys, went on to become a Broadway phenomenon and the longest running American musical in history. In 2006 Bennett's assistant director Bob Avian staged a revival. This superb fly on the wall documentary follows the gruelling casting process from the original call-out, through to the final selection. There are 17 roles to cast, and the producers are locked in to very specific casting choices because of the nature of the show and the characters. Ironically, art imitates life here as this documentary is about a group of dancers auditioning for a show about a group of actors auditioning for a role in a musical. Many do not make the cut, and those who are called back for further auditions are not guaranteed success. In an era when vapid reality TV shows like So You Think You Can Dance, Australian Idol, and their ilk, have made the auditioning process a forum for cruel put downs and the sarcastic wit of a panel of judges, Every Little Step is refreshingly upbeat, honest and positive. While we experience the elation of those dancers who are successful, we thankfully do not dwell too long on the tears and disappointments of those hopeful stars who, for one reason or another, are unsuccessful. In one extraordinary scene, Jason Tan's heart wrenching monologue for the key role of Paul, the drag queen, reduces theatre veteran Avian to tears. Co-directors James D Stern and Adam Del Deo have been granted unprecedented access to Bennett's original tape recordings, and this gives a deeper understanding about the show's genesis and what it is trying to do. The filmmakers, who have extensive experience in the theatre world themselves, juxtapose archival footage taken during the auditions for the original production with many of the hopefuls auditioning for this revival. There are fascinating and insightful interviews with Avian, as well as stars of the original production in Tony award winner Donna McKechnie, and the very demanding Baayork Lee, who played Connie and who is now choreographing the revival. An exhilarating insight into the world of musical theatre, Every Little Step is almost mandatory viewing for anyone with aspirations for pursuing a career on stage.

dmg514-1 I've seen a Chorus Line about a dozen times since my high school performed it in 1978. I've also seen the revival. The music still gives me goosebumps, and I had goosebumps sitting in the theater as they began playing Micheal Bennett's taped interviews from the early 70s when he gathered together a group of dancers and had them talk about their lives, their hopes, their dreams, their aspirations...and what would happen if they could never dance again. That's right...the legendary tapes that any Chorus Line fan knows about but has never heard. If you love this show the way I love this show, you'll find Every Little Step truly fascinating. Jason Tam's audition for the part of Paul was one of the highlights, leaving just about everyone - on screen and off - in tears. I've seen this kid on One Life to Live and never gave him a second thought. Now I have intense respect for his acting skills.How ironic - a film that shows the struggles of dancers trying to earn a place in a show about the struggles of dancers trying to earn a place in a show... It's worth every penny, and I'll definitely buy it on DVD. I highly recommend it to anyone who has seen and loved a Chorus Line.

ilikeimdb I agree with the other reviewers here that Every Little Step certainly left out key parts of history and gave short-shrift to extremely important people in the genesis and creation of the original Chorus Line. Such omissions also make me wonder if something similar was going on regarding the auditioning process for the 2006 revival..what else is being deliberately left out? // Those issues aside, and treating the film just as an enjoyable exposé, I thought ELS did a very good job of capturing the excitement and tension of the auditioning process -- I give special kudos to the editing department. I really liked watching the actors/actresses' performances being interspersed with incredulous looks on the faces of the casting staff.