Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

The ladies (and two men) of "Chicago" at Bryant Park. Bianca Marroquin is her usual sassy self... Amra is o.k....Carol Woods is amazing, plus David Bushman / Nathan Madden do well in "Me and My Baby".
Chicago at Bryant Park

[darreyl102]

This performance does not do Carol justice- When she can actually belt it out on the end notes- she's insane!

[jonartdesigns]

Agreed about Carol, the pre-recorded backing doesn't allow her to shine.

[ACL2006]

according to PlaybillVault, Terra C. MacLeod is Velma this week.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Yes, I saw that on Telecharge as well. If only she could be Velma for "much" longer.

[Littleshopofcarrie]

This may be weird, but I'm kind of ready for another stunt cast...

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

According to Terra C. herself, she'll be "Velma" for 2 weeks. Yay!

[everythingtaboo]

Bring back Nikka Graff Lanzarone or Deidre Goodwin as Velma ASAP!

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

If I remember correctly, Christopher Fitzgerald played the role of Amos Hart, fairly recently? Now, he gets the chance to play Billy Flynn starting August 2nd.




Chicago

[ACL2006]

that might be a error on telecharge. PlaybillVault has him returning as Amos on Aug. 2.

[jonartdesigns]

I'm happy Fitzgerald is coming back, he was the most engaging and deep Amos I've seen.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

ACL, Paul Vogt is listed (on Telecharge) as Amos Hart until 10/26/14. It's been like that for a while. Maybe Playbill Vault is incorrect? It's great that "Chicago" has no problem with alternating various actors for the roles of Billy and Amos. If ONLY they'd do the same thing when casting for "Velma", COUGH, COUGH.

[everythingtaboo]

According to Facebook, Christopher begins as Billy this week! He was a fabulous Amos, I'll be going to back to enjoy him in such a different role. Surely this switch is a first!

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I think you're right Everythingtaboo. The only possible exception is Jason Patrick Sands. He understudies the roles of Billy Flynn and Amos. JPS is dreamy.

[jonartdesigns]

Hmmm, I'm skeptical but interested. Fitzgerald tends towards quirky character roles, it will be interesting to see him play a suave leading man.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Christopher Fitzgerald makes "Chicago" Broadway history!
Christopher Fitzgerald

[JBradshaw]

But who's playing Billy now?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I imagine either Jason Patrick Sands or Brian O Brien are playing the role of Billy, before Fitzgerald assumes the role.

[JBradshaw]

I was just looking forward to a new Billy Flynn
Was kinda excited to see a brand new Billy this week while I go see my girl Terra it up as Velma while Amra is on vacation.

*hopes Chris Starts earlier like others have in the past.
JBS and Brian are fine in the role.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I've been reading the book: "Nothing Like A Dame" by Eddie Shapiro. The author is having a conversation with Bebe Neuwirth. Here is an excerpt from the book: (author) "One of the things that is of interest to me with "Chicago" is tht they are keeping the show running and in doing that there have been some questionable artistic choices. We talked before about trying to replicate an opening night performance as closely as possible but with "Chicago", there are casting choices that make that an impossibility. Some people might say that the Weisslers (Chicago's producers)sell out. If I were running a show on Broadway, I might do the same thing because there's an economic reality. But as a lover of this stuff, there's something painful abou it to me. What do you think?
(Bebe Neuwirth): "There are two sides to this. One if the obvious side. The roles are for trained dancers. But the other side is that these producers really love the show. Obviously it's very good business but they love the show. I know with all my heart that they love the show and they want it to stay open because it's great material. There's a way to get your mind around it where you can say "You know, it partly proves the point of the show when you bring in a big star. There is a subliminal message that comes through." It's an interesting thing. Roger (Rees) taught me something when we were doing a Shakespeare play together. He said that people can do whatever they want to Shakespeare, but ultimately Shakespeare manages to wriggle free. No matter how questionable you may think someone coming in to the show is, the show survives. It is what it is. And sometimes you get fantastic people coming in. Sandy Duncan comes in and plays Roxie and you go, "Oh my God, that's fantastic! What a great actress and incredible clown she is."

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

It appears that there are two new male cast members: Alfie Parker Jr. (replacing Nathan Madden) and Michael Scirrotto (replacing Ryan Worsing).


Chicago cast list

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

It seems that Nathan Madden will be part of the cast of "An American In Paris." Awesome.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Wow, the cast of "Chicago" has been changing quite a bit. Recently departed: Nathan Madden and Ryan Worsing. Nicole Bridgewater is no longer listed with the Chicago cast. Either she is truly gone or is on vacation. (Playbill Vault)

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Somehow, I missed this article. There's a possibility of a Manila (Phillipines) staging of "Chicago".
Chicago In Manila?

[Emmaloucbway]

I didn't want to start another thread so I figured I'd just post here: has anyone done Chicago rush lately? Where are the seats usually located? Since it's a long-running show I think I'll be safe if I show up when the box office opens at 10, right?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Longtime "Chicago" swing Sharon Moore is now the second "Mama Morton" understudy...the first one being Donna Marie Asbury.
Chicago