Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread

[ghostlight2]

Thanks for the links, Phantom4ever. That's the opposite of what you originally said, but I still don't see how that works out. As far as I understand, if you drop a show from an 8 show week, you still pay for it, and if you add a 9th show, you pay a lot for the privilege. I guess there is just that much money to be made around the holidays.

"People like, Cady Hoffman- how great would she be as Velma! Or Rachelle Rak- what a Roxie/Velma they'd be! Rak I still hope will get a crack at Fastrada!"

Rak is due sometime in May, I think, so it might be awhile before we see her in anything.

[Phantom4ever]

I originally said they do 7 shows Christmas Week and 9 shows New Years week. I noted where some of them do it the opposite. It actually depends on what day of the week Christmas and New Years fall. The producers just want to maximize how many shows play during that New Years period especially because the city is so overwhelmed with holiday tourists. And, they could boost about a 2 or 3 million dollar week with 9 shows.
I don't know about the financial arrangements, but since it's usually just a case of switching a Tuesday night show to Sunday night instead, it's not really that difficult to do. And they could sort of all out with Equity ahead of time.

[jonartdesigns]

I realize this is a long shot, but considering her relationship with the Weisslers, It would be amazing to see Patina Miller come in for a few weeks as Velma, perhaps when her new show is on hiatus.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Now that would be awesome! A big plus would be she wouldn't have to have a long term contract to take on the role of Velma.

[ghostlight2]

"I originally said they do 7 shows Christmas Week and 9 shows New Years week. I noted where some of them do it the opposite."

Of the shows you mention, unless I counted wrong (quite possible) not one had a 7 show christmas week and a 9 show New Years. Christmas is the big money week, not New Years.

Only three shows had a 9 performance Christmas week and 7 performance New Years:
Gentleman's Guide, Mamma Mia, and Phantom.

Five shows added a 9th performance Christmas week, but had a normal (possibly rearranged) 8 performance New Years week:
Kinky Boots, Lion King, Newsies, Rock of Ages and Wicked

"I don't know about the financial arrangements, but since it's usually just a case of switching a Tuesday night show to Sunday night instead, it's not really that difficult to do. And they could sort of all out with Equity ahead of time."

There are several other unions to consider, but in any case switching any days around within the mon-sunday payweek, as long as there are still 8 shows isn't a big deal, and that's what After Midnight, Jersey Boys, Matilda, Motown, Janis Joplin, and Pippin did - they all had 8 performances at Christmas and 8 performances new years. They just rearranged the schedule.

The odd shows out were:
Betrayal (did the 9 performances at Christmas and 9 performances new years)
Big Fish (9 performances at Christmas, closed dec 29th)
Machinal (7 performances Christmas, 7 performances christmas)

tl:dr?

Adding a 9th show is doable but very expensive. You can't make it up by taking away a performance the previous or following week. The producers gain nothing by losing a performance. They still have to pay cast and crew for it.

eta: did Machinal only have a 7 performance week for the run?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

There's a new addition to the cast. His name is David Bushman. I guess he took over for David Kent, longtime Chicago cast member.
David Bushman

[ACL2006]

I see Amra is still with the show. telecharge doesn't have the cast list updated as it still says Amra's only with the show through 4/27:

"Amra Fay Wright as Velma (thru 4/27)
Bianca Marroquin as Roxie (thru 3/22/15)
Brent Barret as Billy Flynn (thru 7/27)
Carol woods as Mama Morton (thru 9/2
Christopher Fitzgerald as Amos (thru 4/27)
R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine (thru 8/24)"

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I know. There are a handful of Velmas who might be available. I think Terra C is doing Spamalot in Canada. It's hard to figure out the Weisslers. At least they're adding a few new cast members. But the show will benefit with having a different Velma, other than AFW.

[ACL2006]

Donna Marie Asbury is on as Velma all week. I hope someone new is lined-up after Asbury and that Amra isn't simply on vacation.

[darreyl102]

Look on the bright side- she'll die eventually! LOL- JK.

[jonartdesigns]

Amra seriously upped her when Bebe was there, but honestly she's been Velma for a good 2 years straight now. She needs a break, or hell, move her to the tour for a while. Bianca on the other hand... if they could chain her to the stage and make her perform forever I may just be okay with that.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Bianca is indeed a bundle of energy. You can help but loving her performance. She knows her role inside and out. I agree with you Jonart. We need a different Velma, STAT.

[DottieD'Luscia]

I wonder if I'd look at this show with more affection if I had seen it with a different Roxie in 1997.

[Mister Matt]

Just saw Amra and Bianca in the tour a couple of months ago. Bianca was hands-down the best Roxie I've seen yet and Amra was one of the worst Velmas. O'Hurley was surprisingly good, but it was Carol Woods that really brought the show down. Great singing, but any sense of line delivery, song interpretation or comedic timing was conspicuously absent.

[darreyl102]

So Carol Woods's singing was great, but her line delivery and everything else was absent? She has always been one of my favorite Mamas- Roz and Her are the best in my Opinion- sorry you caught her on a day when her acting was bad.

[Mister Matt]

Not one joke landed, either in song or in spoken lines. Zero laughs. Great ovation for her singing, but it was like the show came to a screeching halt every time she was on stage. I've seen many Mortons and Marcia Lewis still remains my favorite. Always wanted to see Brent Barrett, but I'm afraid he'll challenge my cherished memory of James Naughton. *sigh*

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Amra didn't do the most recent tour as Velma, it was Terra C MacLeod.

[JBradshaw]

I feel my need to post to this.

I've seen the show over 100xs

Bianca is hit or miss. I enjoy her, she tends to be over the top at times which I enjoy. Bianca's Roxie is perfection in ways. Amazing dancer. Mexico City (loved her Roxie there it was more gritty)

A yr

[JBradshaw]

Amra needs to go.
I was at ruthie Henshall and Teri's put in
Say what you will the wisslers are nice

[Vincent]

This board is painful to read and many a times just mean.

FACT:

The 1st national tour had some of the best reviews and box office sales in recent years on the last tour.
Broadway is still selling at almost full capacity with a wonderful cast that are selling out the show.
The touring cast was dubbed by critics of the leading national papers as an "A list" all around knockout cast.

The broadway cast is FANTASTIC and no one on that stage is there by accident. The Weissler's keep people around who they want to work with and who have longevity. Also they don't get cast without final approval from the top.

Bianca Marroquin, Terra C Macleod got great reviews as a pair during the last tour. As did the other principles.
Check this one out. From the CHICAGO TRIBUNE...a tough city to please and this show and cast got a raving review.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/ct-ent-0227-chicago-review-20140226,0,1818810.column


PEACE OUT!

For your insight: latest reviews...and that's just the tip of the iceberg.
http://www.cleveland.com/onstage/index.ssf/2014/01/chicago_shows_no_signs_of_age.html
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140227/entlife/140228464/
http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_25376655/review-chicago-at-buell-theatre-gets-it-and
http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2014/03/12/review-chicago-the-musical-is-a-high-energy-romp-with-crime-song-and-dance/
http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/stage/25833212-421/chicago-razzles-and-dazzles-with-john-ohurley-at-the-helm.html#.U3ET0Y7MoZY

[darreyl102]

So you're gonna throw the rock and then run? Shame on you for criticizing and then running and hiding- What, too scared to play with the big boys?

[Mister Matt]

Sorry, I didn't have my Playbill with me. Yes, it was Terra I saw as Velma.

Enough bashing on the show and everyones personal opinion of who should be there or not. It comes across as bitter , jaded, and vindictive and just plain mean spirited.

Enough bashing people for stating their own personal opinions. It comes across as bitter, jaded and vindictive and just plain mean spirited. Actually, it mostly comes off as immature and narrow-minded. If you truly believe nobody should have negative opinions regarding any show or performer, or should not be allowed to voice their opinions regarding any show or performer, then you really need to stay away from theatre completely. Or anything related to performing arts, for that matter.

So glad you like Chicago so much. So sad it has completely warped your sense of perspective and objectivity.

[darreyl102]

^^TRUTH!!

[DottieD'Luscia]

"So glad you like Chicago so much. So sad it has completely warped your sense of perspective and objectivity."

^This!!!

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

For Vincent:

[Vincent]

No rocks being thrown. Honestly. I dont do that.

just dont want to be part of this board any more. It;s turned into something I no longer wish to participate in.
Thats all.
Good luck to you all and your life on the boards.