Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Hello. I'm looking forward to my upcoming trip. It is my dream to see Bianca Marroquin as "Roxie." Someone from her Facebook fan page mentioned that she would be extending to April 5th, as Christie Brinkley returns on April 6th. Speaking of Miss Brinkley, I was surprised when her name was mentioned to be part of the upcoming national tour of "Chicago." Personally, I hope to see Terra C McLeod either on Broadway (when the current Velma leaves on Feb. 12th) or on the American Tour. Terra and Bianca have worked before, during a Japan tour of "Chicago" in 2009. If not Terra, I'd love to see the vivacious Leigh Zimmerman return to the show on Broadway. She knows "Chicago" inside and out, as she was the original "Go-To-Hell-Kitty" in the current Chicago revival. in 1996. Marco Zunino also leaves on Feb. 12th. I have no idea who the producers might bring in as "Billy Flynn." Well, I'm counting the days till I board my JetBlue direct flight to NYC. I'll get there in about 3.5 hours. Luckily, I got a hotel close to the Ambassador...the Washington Jefferson (near 51st St. and 8th Ave.). Laters...RC in Austin, Texas

[Rentfan931]

http://m.playbill.com/news/article/159293-Amra-Faye-Wright-Returns-to-Broadways-Chicago-Feb-2-Marco-Zunino-Bianca-Marroquin-Extend-Runs

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I'm sooooo happy that Bianca Marroquin has extended to April 5th! Also, I'll have the chance to see the brilliant Amra Faye Wright as "Velma." : ) from RC in Austin, Texas... In NYC from March 10-13, 2012

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Gosh, I'll miss Marco Zunino as "Billy Flynn" by 6 days. I wonder who'll replace him. Might it be a veteran "Billy" or someone new? from RC in Austin, Texas (arriving in NYC on Sat. March 10th). Hey PalJoey, Jordan...fancy a drink while I'm in town?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Hello. I've finalized my plans for seeing "Chicago." I'll see the 8pm show on March 11, 2012 , plus the 2:30 p.m. / 7:00 p.m. shows on Sun. March 12, 2012. I can't wait! I wonder who will be the next Billy Flynn, as Marco Zunino departs the role on March 4th. I'm hoping it's Tony Yazbek. from RC in Austin, Texas

[ACL2006]

really??? seeing the show 3 times in two days.

[ghostlight2]

You misplaced one of your question marks, ACL2006.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Yes, really ACL. I decided to do something "memorable." It will be an experience I'll never forget. My flight arrives at 11:28 a.m. on Saturday March 10th (direct flight from Austin). Hopefully, the Hotel Washington Jefferson will let me check in early enough to see a 3 p.m. matinee. I'd like to see "Other Desert Cities". I've never been to NYC on a weekend. from RC in Austin, Texas

[Phantom4ever]

Hey there PLF, I'm a Chicago devotee as well. Just saw it last Saturday night actually.

You mentioned in your last post that you hope your hotel lets you check in early enough to see a 3pm matinee. Usually hotels will at least hold your bags for you if they won't check you in. For peace of mind, you should call your hotel and ask if you can drop your bags off with the front desk and then check-in after your 3pm matinee. I do it all the time.

Also, if you really do have a "direct" flight from Austin, I hope you know that it will stop at least once on the way to New York, but there won't be a change of planes. Only "non-stop" flights do not stop at all.

[dramamama611]

If there is a room available, they will let you check in early. If there isn't, they will hold your bags for you. Easy Peasy.


I cannot imagine traveling that far and seeing the same show 3 out of four possible spots. Each time you come? Sure. So many wonderful things to see/experience.

To each his own.

[Phantom4ever]

I think it's cool that you like a show so much you're going to see it 3 times in a row like that. I'm not sure if I would do that, but I think it would be interesting to hear your report on any differences in the shows. I wonder if anything would be noticeable.
Good for you for seeing what you prefer to see.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hope that the Washington Jefferson allows me to check in early enough. I'm not sure that I would like to go into a show without a shower and change of clothes. With regards to "Chicago", I'm seeing it 3 times because I actually like the show. After having seen the show for the first time in March 2011, I again saw the show (national tour) in June 2011...Fort Worth and Houston (on back to back Saturdays). Since then, I've listened to the revival cast recording numerous times (on my car cd, my MP3 player and my computer). It's kind of funny to (silently) lipsync to "Mr. Cellophane" while I'm using the exercise bike at Gold's Gym. I've learned quite a few lyrics to a variety of songs from the show. I realize that it's a quirky thing to do. But it's a "fun" quirky for me. Also, I live very far away, so I can only travel to NYC once a year or so. It's a sort of musical theatre social experiment, seeing the same show 3 times in a row. I still want to meet up with someone from this board, to talk about the theatre scene (and some notable members of this message board). Plus, I'm so looking forward to seeing the fabulous Bianca Marroquin! from RC in Austin, Texas (in NYC from March 10-13, 2012) P.S. I don't know if I could repeat this experiment in another visit. There are other shows I'd like to see at that time.

[Dollypop]

>>>"I cannot imagine traveling that far and seeing the same show 3 out of four possible spots. Each time you come? Sure. So many wonderful things to see/experience."<<<

Oh, I don't know if that's odd. I stayed at the Foxwoods Casino when Carol Channing was doing her last go-round of HELLO, DOLLY! I was able to see the show 5 times in three days. I fact, those were the last times I saw Carol in the role.

Enjoy yourself Roman!

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Uh, that is a great story D-o-l-l-y. from R-o-m-a-n in Austin, Texas (visiting NYC from March 10-13, 2012) : )

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Phantom, I forgot to ask you...how was the show when you last saw it? I especially am curious about the big guy playing Amos Hart (Chris Sullivan) and the delightful Bianca Marroquin. from Roman in Austin, Texas

[Phantom4ever]

The show was great when I saw it on Saturday night, February 11th. I got to see Bianca who is my favorite Roxie and she was on with the famous guy from Latin America (what's his name again?) as Billy Flynn. They were so funny because they lapsed into Spanish a few times when the talked/argued.

I saw one of the ensemble guys go on as Amos. That was pretty interesting, because I always wondered how one of the ensemble guys with their flat abs and chiseled bodies could play the out-of-shape Amos. He just wore baggy clothes and messed up his hair to come off as less put-together and more like Amos.

I also sat in the first row, and I paid a lot of attention to the ensemble for long-run-itis (bored looks, dull expressions, lack of direction, etc). I couldn't find any. I loved all the little smiles and winks I saw during All that Jazz and the way the cast acted like it was the first time they had heard the entre-act in ages with how into it they were. All in all a great show.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

If the substitute Amos was a dark haired guy, it may have been Adam Zotovich....or a muscular blond haired guy: Jason Patrick Sands (swoon). from Roman in Austin, Texas.... in NYC from March 10-13, 2012....18 days and counting....

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Wow, I guessed right! Tony Yazbek is returning to the role of "Billy Flynn" from March 5, 2012-- April 29, 2012 (per Telecharge). This will be my third Tony Yazbek show: A Chorus Line, Gypsy and now Chicago. from Roman in Austin, Texas (visiting NYC from March 10-13, 2012)

[ljay889]

I really want to see Tony and Chris. But I just don't think I can suffer through Amra-Faye Wright again, though Bianca is fantastic.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

ljay, what's a good place to eat before / after the show? The only place I know is the Cosmic Diner on 52nd St. from Roman in Austin, Texas

[ljay889]

Serafina just across the street is pretty good.

http://www.serafinaatthetime.com/

[Rentfan931]

I thought Chris Sullivan left the show towards the beginning of February, and Ray Bohkour replaced him. That's great news Tony is returning to Chicago. I saw him in October in the show, he was okay. Not the best I've seen (James Naughton, Brent Barrett) but not the worst I've seen (Alan Thicke). I'm planning on returning to the show in March and April, but I'm not too sure that I could sit through Amra's performance again.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

According to Telecharge, Chris Sullivan is "Amos Hart" till March 18th. from Roman in Austin, Texas

[Rentfan931]

That's interesting. Ray's headshot and bio are up on the Chicago website. Plus, isn't Chris doing Nice Work? I would imagine he's started rehearsals by now.

[ljay889]

Chris is actually back.

The current cast:
Cast Members:
Amra-Faye Wright as Velma (thru 5/6)
Bianca Marroquin as Roxie (thru 4/5)
Christie Brinkley as Roxie (4/6 - 4/27)
Marco Zunino as Billy (thru 3/4)
Tony Yazbeck as Billy (3/5 - 4/29)
Carol Woods as Mama Morton (thru 4/29)
Chris Sullivan as Amos (thru 3/1
R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine (thru 4/26)

[Rentfan931]

Does anyone know if Bianca or Amra will be out of the show anytime soon?