Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Just curious, but has anyone seen "Chicago" very recently? I'm curious about the two "Roxie" understudies. Dylis Croman is one...and Melissa Rae Mahon was the other one. M.R.M. is not with the cast at this time and will return in autumn. Who is the new "Roxie" understudy? from RC in Austin, Texas

[ACL2006]

according to Playbillvault.com, it's Tonya Wathen.
Playbill Vault - Chicago cast

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Latest "Chicago" news: Peter Nelson is no longer with the cast, as he joins the ensemble of the upcoming "Cinderella." Best of luck to him! from RC in Austin, Texas

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Latest "Chicago" news: Peter Nelson is no longer with the cast, as he joins the ensemble of the upcoming "Cinderella." Best of luck to him! from RC in Austin, Texas

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Here's an interview with Peter Nelson (recent Chicago cast member) discussing his new role in "Cinderella." It involves stilts. from RC in Austin, Texas
Peter Nelson

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Hi all! I'm beyond excited that "Chicago" is playing my hometown of Austin, Texas from November 19-24, 2013 at the 2900 seat Bass Concert Hall, on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin. I can't wait!! from RC in Austin, Texas

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I just found this video from Broadway On Broadway, with Amy Spanger doing "Me and My Baby" with Michael Cusumano and another performer (whose name I don't know.) Cool. From RC in Austin, Texas
Me and My Baby

[everythingtaboo]

RC, I believe that's Denny Paschall. I think he's back in the show now, I know he left to do Shrek some years back.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

A little mention of Denny Paschall in Playbill.com. from RC in Austin, Texas
Denny Paschall

[CJR]

Wow. Where was this thread YEARS ago when I worked for them, was the Chicago Queen and actually cared? lol Now Im lucky if I remember to get here once a month!

[DEClarke]

Hi all! I'm beyond excited that "Chicago" is playing my hometown of Austin, Texas from November 19-24, 2013 at the 2900 seat Bass Concert Hall, on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin. I can't wait!! from RC in Austin, Texas

Do we know who is cast in the tour yet? Is the tour equity or non-eq? I'm curious because its coming through Houston too. I really enjoy the film and want to love it on stage, but so far my experience with it on stage has been less than stellar.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

According to Telecharge, Amy Spanger will extend her role as "Roxie" until April 7, 2013. Other principals have extended as well. This must be some sort of "Roxie" record. She's been with the show since September 2012. from RC in Austin, Texas
Chicago

[MissAnneThrop]

Not counting return engagements I think Karen Ziemba (3/24/98 - 5/23/99) is the longest.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Well, the "Chicago" tour usually includes cast members from previous tours. For Roxie, chances are the newest tour will include Tracy Shayne, with Terra C MacLeod as Velma. When I saw the show in Houston in June 2011, Dan LoBuono...longtime Chicago veteran...was part of the cast. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope that C.B. is not included. from RC in Austin, Texas

[darreyl102]

Question: When was Nick Adams in the show on Broadway- what dates? according to Playbill.com: Jun. 19, 2006 - Jul. 3, 2006 is this accurate? the reason i am asking is because i am trying to locate a playbill fromt the show with him in the cast. if anybody could tell me what the cover looked like, or if anybody has one with him in the cast that they are willing to sell please let me know!

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Oh my goodness...thrilling news! Christine Pedi will be Mama Morton for 10 weeks..from April 8, 2013 -- June 16, 2013!!! I've always wanted to see her perform. Now's my chance when I see "Chicago" on Fri. June 7, 2013. She'll be fabulous! from RC in Austin, Texas

[MissAnneThrop]

according to telecharge amra-faye wright has extended yet again.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I know...I was surprised about that. She'll be Velma till August 2013, I think. As much as she is talented, I would love to see Terra C. MacLeod as Velma. It seems like there's a limited group of available Velmas. Who knows who'll be the next Roxie....hopefully Bianca Marroquin. from RC in Austin, Texas...

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Wow...Amy Spanger has extended again!! from RC in Austin, Texas
This is the Chicago cast list, according to Telecharge.

Amra-Fay Wright as Velma (thru 8/11)
Amy Spanger as Roxie (thru 4/14; 5/27 - 8/11)
Christopher Sieber as Billy Flynn (thru 4/7)
Adam Pascal as Bill Flynn (begins 4/8 - 6/16)
Carol Woods as Mama Morton (thru 4/7)
Christine Pedi as Mama Morton (4/8 - 6/16)
Raymond Bokhour as Amos (thru 6/9)
R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine (thru 8/25)

[ACL2006]

I wonder who's going to play Roxie from 4/15-5/26?? I think it's time that Wright hangs up her Chicago boots and moved on to something else. Even Brenda Braxton has moved on.

[Rentfan931]

I definitely agree ACL2006. I've seen Amra-Faye several times, most recently in December 2012 and she gives the same performance each time. Her performance didn't really move me that much.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I sort of agree with ACL and RentFan. I get the sense that Amra Fay Wright is extremely talented, but there are other "Velmas" who can do a great job as well. I've seen Amra, Leigh Zimmerman and Terra C MacLeod in the show. Zimmerman is busy with "A Chorus Line" in the West End. I would love to see Terra on Broadway. But, Amra seems to extend and extend and extend. It would be nice to have some variety in "Velma" casting, instead of one person dominating the role for months at a time. Also, it's time that other talented ladies get some experience in the role. from RC in Austin, Texas

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

The current Roxie understudies are Tonya Wathen and Dylis Croman Minter. It would be a great opportunity for both of them to alternate the role until Amy Spanger returns from her time off. I've seen one recent video clip of Amy Spanger. She is one talented lady. from RC in Austin, Texas (visiting NYC from June 7-10).

[Rentfan931]

Amy is a decent Roxie. Not my favorite but she's servicable. Her dancing is decent, but I am not a fan of her acting. Dylis is a fabulous Roxie understudy. Have not seen Tonya, I think she's only been on a few times.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

These are first night pictures for Christine Pedi and Adam Pascal in "Chicago." Playbill.com from RC in Austin, Texas
Christine Pedi and Adam Pascal

[Patronus]

Amra-Faye Wright looks like Jane Lynch playing Velma from SPW in Dallas, Texas