Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I actually found a clip of Donna Marie Asbury and Melissa Rae Mahon as "Roxie" and "Velma". They're fabulous! from RC in Austin, TX

[somethingwicked]

Rentfan, there is a gap of about a week between Amra-Faye Wright leaving and Nikka Graff Lanzarone beginning as Velma (July 4th through the 10th,) so I imagine Donna Marie Asbury will be on during that window of time.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Amra-Faye Wright as Velma (thru 7/3)
Nikka Graff Lanzarone as Velma (7/11 - 8/7)
Charlotte d’Amboise as Roxie (thru 9/4)
Christopher Sieber as Billy Flynn (thru 8/2
Carol Woods as Mama Morton (thru 8/2
Chris Sullivan as Amos (thru 8/14)
R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine (thru 8/2
Upcoming week's performances
Sat.Jul.2 2:30PM
Sat.Jul.2 8:00PM
Sun.Jul.3 2:30PM
Sun.Jul.3 7:00PM
Tue.Jul.5 8:00PM
Wed.Jul.6 8:00PM
Thu.Jul.7 3:00PM
Thu.Jul.7 8:00PM
Fri.Jul.8 8:00PM

(Telecharge) P.S. I still don't understand why they'd hire a "Velma" for less than a month. It's a bit puzzling. from RC in Austin, Texas

[Rentfan931]

Actually Nikka now starts July 5.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

This is a September 2008 article in the Duluth, MN Area Voices. This Billy Flynn is very young looking.
"In the WAVE on page 3 of todays’ edition is a picture of the cast of ‘Chicago,’ the Broadway musical coming to Duluth. In the picture, to the left of Roxie is David Raimo, Jr., from Duluth.
"He’s a 2003 graduate of Denfeld High School. He and Ben Elledge were both cast members of the winter and spring 2008 touring company of ‘Chicago.’"

The woman who sent me the email is Raimo’s mother, Julianne Raimo–mothers make the best press agents. Aspiring actors, treat your mothers well!

Elledge played Amos Hart; David alternated between the lead roles of Roxie’s murdered lover Fred Casely or Roxie’s attorney Billy Flynn.

Says Julianne, "David actually loved the role of Fred because it allowed him to dance and sing more than playing Billy Flynn. David is based out of NY City now, and this summer played the lead as Joe Hardy in "Damn Yankees" for the Premier Theatre, and the lead of Fantasticks as well. This year he plays the role of Munk Strap for the "Cats" national tour. David has also done commercials and voiceovers while in NY City as well. David thoroughly enjoyed his time with Ben and the cast of "Chicago.""
I believe it is Linda Roginski who is "Roxie" in this pic.

P.S. If the producers of "Chicago" are looking for a new Billy Flynn, why not give this guy a chance? He's got the talent and the looks as well.



David Raimo

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Congratulations to Nikka Lanzarone on her first time as "Velma Kelly" in "Chicago". (photo from Chicago The Musical -- Facebook) from RC in Austin, Texas

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Just wondering... but has anyone seen the show lately? Usually, the focus seems to be on the women..but any thoughts on the Men of Chicago? For a variety of reasons, I like: Jason Patrick Sands, Michael Cusumano (sp?) and Ryan Worsing. Also, R. Lowe was a real sweetheart when I met him. from RC in Austin, Texas

[PalJoey]

Mikey Cusumano has perfect Fosse form.



That's him on the right, with Charlotte d'Amboise and Ryan Worsing




And that him on the left, in last year's Mr. Broadway competition, swimsuit division, with Matt Antcil, Raymond Lee, James Tabeek and Brandon Rubendall. They were all cute and talented, but Mikey took the crown.






And a cute picture of him and some of the boys (Brian Spitulnik, Brian O'Brien and Adam Zotovich) on the night Chicago became the 5th longest-running show/

Thet're force-feeding Christie Brinkley cake.

[kchenofan]

"I actually found a clip of Donna Marie Asbury and Melissa Rae Mahon as "Roxie" and "Velma". They're fabulous!"

Care to offer a hint as to where you found it?

[ljay889]

Jason Patrick Sands is beautiful. He is also a great Billy Flynn.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I see that MUNY (St. Louis) is taking on "Chicago." Somehow, I find it difficult to imagine the show being done outdoors. Maybe they'll hire some of the national tour/previous Broadway cast members? from RC in Austin, Texas

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Wow...this is some bit of news! American Ferrara (Ugly Betty) will play the role of "Roxie Hart" in the West End for an 8 week stint beginning November 7th. Hmmm? from RC in Austin, Texas
American Plays Roxie

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I'd love to see a male version of "Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag"....maybe for "Broadway Backwards"? I've only seen one video of a male "Roxie": a clip of a site which shall not be named. Brenda Braxton plays Velma opposite the male "Roxie" in a cruise ship revue. Then, the other cast members join them for "Hot Honey Rag." Just wondering....from RC in Austin, Texas

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I hope this doesn't sound odd, but Michael Cusumano has a cute nose. Just sayin'.....from RC in Austin, Texas

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I saw BWW's video of Christina Applegate doing "Sweet Charity." It got me to thinking that she would make a good "Roxie." Thoughts? from RC in Austin, Texas

[JBradshaw]

caught the show over the summer (aug)

audience was pretty dead (a thursday matinee)

cast was in pretty tip top shape.
nikki was a serviceable velma - great dancer, kinda lacked in the vocals and acting at times
charlotte was giving 100%, which was nice considering i've seen performances with her more or less sleepwalking through thte role.

having seen the show an ungodly # of times (we're talking triple digits) these days i tend to pop in to see the show once a year or when there's interesting stunt casting (oh michelle williams you were a delightful ghetto roxie who couldn't dance) or when someone fabulous like terra macleod has stints in the show.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Bradshaw...it's so interesting you should mention Terra C. I had a chance to see her in the US tour of "Chicago" this past summer. I drove to Fort Worth for the first show and then to Houston on the following weekend for the second show. She is simply amazing!! Terra reminds me a bit of a combination Xena Warrior Princess/Velma Kelly. I really think she should replace Amra Wright (who finishes her current stint as Velma on Oct. 30th). from RC in Austin, Texas
P.S. Bradshaw...you mentioned the audience as being pretty dead. Does that mean that the audience was somnambulent or that the crowd was rather sparse? Since you've seen "Chicago" oodles of times...what types of audiences have you seen thru the years. Just wonderin'.

[JBradshaw]

the audience was pretty empty - which i blame mostly due to the fact it was a thursday afternoon, and i expect most people didn't even know that the show had a performance with TKTS not being open and thursday matinees aren't common

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I wish the producers of "Chicago" would attempt to approach Anne Hathaway concerning the role of "Roxie." She was be a dream!! from RC in Austin, Texas....

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Who would make credible replacements for Roxie, Velma, Mama and Amos Hart? For Amos... Kevin Chamberlin should be given consideration. He was wonderful in "Addams Family". He's a big guy with a big voice. Kind of cute/cuddly in a bearish sort of way. Just sayin'. From RC in Austin, Texas... Besides, he's done the role of Amos already, so he'd be great.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Nice little mention in Theatermania. from RC in Austin, TExas
TheatreMania Chicago Review

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Are there any (new) guys who you might like to see take on the role of "Billy Flynn"? How about Cheyenne Jackson, for example?Thoughts? from RC in Austin, Texas

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Cheyenne has a tremendous voice...great personality. He would make a great "Billy Flynn." I don't know if the role would be of interest to him, though. from RC in Austin, Texas

[DPACSTH]

I've seen it in both NYC and on a tour. The tour was in Raleigh a few years ago and it was good, but on Broadway it was better. Can't remember actors from either show. I like the show a lot...very catchy songs. When I listen to the cast recording, I'm usually obsessively singing the "Press Conference Rag" and annoying my wife and others.

[ljay889]

I wish the producers of "Chicago" would attempt to approach Anne Hathaway concerning the role of "Roxie." She was be a dream!!

No A-list actress would agree to be the 100th Roxie replacement in a 15-year-old revival.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I disagree with Ljay. All I can say is: "you never know." I love "Press Conference Rag". I'm even learning the lyrics to that tongue twister segment: "Oh yes, we both....". from RC in Austin, Texas...10 more days left in my fourth decade and until I begin my new one. yuck.