Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Currently, Dylis Croman is playing Roxie Hart until November 22nd. She will re-team with Terra C when the national tour re-starts in January 2016.   Later on November 30th,. both Terra C (Velma) and Bianca Marroquin (Roxie) reunite at the Ambassador.  

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

This person is awesome!!  Personally, I call them Fosse Girls.  They're a hard working group. You go girl!!  http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-CHICAGO-Flyer-Woman-Allison-Martin-Defies-ISIS-Threats-On-Times-Square-In-theatreMAMAs-Unafraid-20151124

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I like this person!  I've personally called them Fosse Girls.  You go girl!!   http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-CHICAGO-Flyer-Woman-Allison-Martin-Defies-ISIS-Threats-On-Times-Square-In-theatreMAMAs-Unafraid-20151124

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

How strange.  I did post the first message.  But, when I looked...it wasn't there.  So, I posted it again.  Then, the first message appeared along with the second one.  Internet gremlins?   

[ucjrdude902]

Anyone see NeNe Leakes yet?

[JBradshaw]

I've been saying that for months.  

But AMEN Patti could confirm the info.  

 

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Currently, Dylis Croman is playing Roxie Hart until November 22nd. She will re-team with Terra C when the national tour re-starts in January 2016.   Later on November 30th,. both Terra C (Velma) and Bianca Marroquin (Roxie) reunite at the Ambassador.  

 

"

 

[gypsy101]

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "How strange.  I did post the first message.  But, when I looked...it wasn't there.  So, I posted it again.  Then, the first message appeared along with the second one.  Internet gremlins?   "

 

Patti, the board for some reason has trouble showing the first post on a new page. For instance, you posted post #875 on this thread but it didn't show the post or new page until you posted again. It's very strange.

[bwayphreak234]

I saw this last Saturday night. I recently saw the tour back in March, which was in top notch shape. The performance I saw on Broadway was just alright. It wasn't the Chicago I know and love, though. It seemed tired. Amara-Faye Wright was just not a good Velma IMO. Dylis Croman (who I also saw on tour back in March) was terrific as Roxie. The ensemble just didn't have a lot of energy, which kind of killed it. Overall, I would say that the tour I saw back in March was in much better shape than what I saw at the Ambassador last week.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I wonder who has played (or has been playing) Velma...since AFW left for the Far East on the 22nd and until Terra C arrives on the 30th.  Possibly Donna Marie Asbury?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Theyre-Back-on-the-Cell-Block-Bianca-Marroquin-and-Terra-C-MacLeod-Return-to-Broadways-CHICAGO-Tonight-20151130?fb_action_ids=10208389600363919&fb_action_types=og.comments   Both ladies are fantastic in their respective roles!

[ACL2006]

now let's just hope AFW doesn't return. Really hoping Carly Hughes or someone new joins as Velma come January.

[bwayphreak234]

So happy that Terra C MacLeod is back! And Bianca Marroquin! They are both outstanding in the show. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

According to Telecharge, Bianca Marroquin is on as Roxie until Feb. 28, 2016.  Terra C remains as Velma until Jan. 3, 2016.  Miss Terra then continues on the next leg of the Cellblock National Tour.  ACL...I feel your pain.  

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

This is a clip of the current Chicago international tour in Japan, with ACL's favorite Velma (j/k).   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck_N-Myz-AY&sns=fb

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

This is a video blog as done by Dylan Ratell (Mary Sunshine) in the Chicago tour in Japan.   http://www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay.php?colid=1194223

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Here is a recent interview on Broadway.com with Bianca Marroquin...who is her usual bubbly and very energetic self. Her segment starts at around 6:40.    https://www.facebook.com/Broadway/videos/10153848306208885/?theater

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-New-Billy-Flynn-Football-Great-Eddie-George-Comes-To-CHICAGO-With-Serious-Acting-Background-20151214   Eddie George prepares for the role of a lifetime.   

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

http://www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay.php?colid=1201326  Brent Heuser and Dylan Ratell in a Chicago/Japan Kabuki Q & A.    

[JBradshaw]

Nene's last day

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

How was she?  I've read a few bits here and there, mostly complimentary.  The fabulous Carol Woods follows Nene for one week.   Then, Na Tasha Ivette Williams follows for about 3 months.  (According to Telecharge).

 

Bianca Marroquin as Roxie Hart (thru 1/31)
Terra C. MacLeod as Velma Kelly (thru 1/3)
Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly (1/4 - 2/2
Jason Danieley as Billy Flynn (thru 1/10)
Eddie George as Billy Flynn (1/12 - 2/28)
Raymond Bokhour as Amos Hart (thru 5/15)
NeNe Leakes as Matron "Mama" Morton (thru 12/20)
Carol Woods as Matron "Mama" Morton (12/21 - 12/27)
?NaTasha Yvette Williams as Matron "Mama" Morton (12/28 - ?3/27)
R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine (thru 1/31)

[Phantom4ever]

I saw the show from front row center, row BB seat 107 on Sunday night, December 20, 2015. I went back and looked and it was my 20th time seeing the Broadway production! Oh how I've grown to love this show. 

I was thrilled to open my playbill and see my very favorite Roxie, Bianca Marroquin listed. She always does something special with the "Roxie" number, but it really seemed like she was feeling extra goofy or extra energetic about it because she added so much that I've never seen before, and I've seen her do it many times. The interaction with the conductor was the longest I've ever seen. And it was great to see Me and My Baby with the full choreo after watching the hackjob version that Brandy performed this summer. Soooo much was left out of that song that was joyously back in place tonight. 

I was elated to see that Terra MacLeod was on as Velma. It's not that I did not like Amra-Faye, but I just grew tired of her performance. Terra was a refreshing change as Velma. 

Jason Danieley as Billy was a revelation. His note at the end of "Reached for the Gun" was phenomenal. Wish I had counted how long it was. Most of the cast even broke character toward the end, and he just kept going and going. I have seen the show 20 times so I've seen lots of Billys hold the note out, but nothing that even came close to this. 

Nene Leakes.  Well.  I was, for the most part, pleasantly surprised. This was her last performance, so she definitely got teary-eyed at times. During her song in the Act I, she was so poorly directed that I could not blame her for the awkwardness. She just did not know what to do with her hands. And she would lean all the way backwards like she was in a limbo contest at seemingly random points in the song. Her singing? Not good. BUT----she was well-taught in how to make the most out of her limited voice. she sang the notes that were within her tiny range, and when a note was too high or needed to be sung for too long, it was changed or it was not sung for as long as someone like Carol Woods would sing it. When she said her lines, she talked as if she was trying to feign an accent, or as if she had a some jolly ranchers in her mouth. It was hard to figure out exactly what she was doing. She missed just about every joke---her comic timing is entirely non-existent. It seemed as if the director (or resident director? Something tells me Walter Bobbie did not come in to direct her) just gave up and told her to do the best she could. After her bow, she went and hugged each cast member who was standing stage left. Someone from the audience gave her a big bouquet since it was her final show. 

I had a critical eye ready to pounce on the first sign of long-run-itis in this performance. Once again I did not see any. I think that some people go into this show convinced that it is not taken care of, and then convinced themselves they saw sleepwalking performances even though they did not. My beloved show Rent was so sloppy and neglected by the time it closed, and I had no problem admitting that. Chicago is another beloved show of mine, and the first time I see someone looking tired or bored or not doing the right blocking, I will acknowledge it. 

And finally. Something to cross off my bucket list. Bianca threw her final rose to me!  I almost didn't even see it coming because it was the last thing I expected and next thing I know, she is looking directly at me and there is a plastic rose heading right for my face.  I quickly grabbed it and smiled back. It was a dream come true.  Can't get the picture I took (after the show obviously) to load on here because it keeps downloading as a PDF.  

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Phantom, you may not believe this, but I have the exact same seat for Chicago on Sat. December 26th.  Carol Woods will be Mama Morton for this week.  I thought she had retired?   But, I'm glad she's back, even if for a limited time.  I'm thrilled that I'll be seeing Miss Terra as Velma (saw her too this past June 2015).  Aside from that, I saw her twice in S.A.in Jan. 2015 and once in Fort Worth (April 2015).  So, I'll have seen Terra C five times this 2015 as Velma.  Bianca Marroquin is indeed a fantastic Velma.  I'm looking forward to hearing Jason Danieley's long note.  (On YouTube, there is a video of Marco  Zunino's very long note...which is very impressive.)   The Ambassador is right on the same block as the hotel I'm staying at (The Mayfair).  I understand that there is a high probability of rain.  I cannot wait!   BTW Phantom, I bow to you as a true Chicago fan!

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

 

[JBradshaw]

Charlotte is really the only that does the full out me and my baby w leaps. Since around  1998 me and my baby's has changed a bit. 

Jason has a great gun note which he holds long. Cast is supposed to break the longer Billy holds the note. 

Glad you enjoyed your visit  

ad 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Some rehearsal footage of  Eddie George as he prepares to take on the role of Billy Flynn in Chicago, on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.   http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/nfl-star-takes-broadway-billy-flynn-chicago-36162238