Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread

[dramamama611]

_{there's been worse, I'm sure. Christie Brinkley, I'm glaring at you. She couldn't sing, act OR dance.}

 

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

It's always nice to see Donna Marie Asbury as Velma.  She has a VOICE!  Brandy and company were in fine form.  http://www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay.php?colid=1061268

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago National Tour Dance Captain (2014-2015) Colt Adam Weiss makes his Broadway debut with "Chicago" this day and thru the weekend.  

He's the one on the left.   

[ACL2006]

I just wish Brandy could keep extending. I love the clips of her, such great energy & soul.

[RW3]

"I just wish Brandy could keep extending. I love the clips of her, such great energy & soul."

She truly has been bitten by the Broadway bug.

 

[Phantom4ever]

Saw Chicago tonight. The ensemble was on fire as usual. I always have a critical eye on them, ready to pounce on the first symptom of long-run-itis I see but alas, they were yet again symptom-free tonight.

Mama Morton flubbed several lines, although it was nothing that the average audience member would have noticed. The Me and My Baby choreography (my favorite in the show) was diluted down into a barely recognizable imitation. Maybe I'm exaggerating a tiny bit but I expected Brandy to be able to do the full original choreography. She also cut the cartwheel at the end of the show. She had a very difficult time keeping up with Amra. Little things, like during Nowadays when they look from stage right to left, their heads moving in unison, were also a challenge for Brandy.

That said, her voice and her acting were great. I loved hearing her soulful renditions of those Kander and Ebb songs. It was quite a treat. And her sheer giddiness and excitement during Nowadays and Hot honey Rag essentially cancelled out the sloppiness of her dancing.

The new Flynn, who was mentioned earlier in the thread, had a problem in the courtroom scene. It was right at the beginning of his questioning of Roxie. He just blanked and went "can somebody help me?" And he looked at the cast standing on the edge of the orchestra box. They ignored him. Finally after what seemed like an eternity but what was probably less than 10 seconds, the defense attorney fed him his line which Flynn then repeated. A tense moment, as thee was no way to get him his line and stay in character. Or at least none of the cast came up with a way on the spot.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

When I saw the show on June 9, 2015, I was actually impressed by Brandy's "Me and My Baby".  I certainly wasn't expecting the full-on choreography, as she isn't a professional dancer.  She managed a good routine, considering her lack of professional experience.  Chicago veterans like Bianca Marroquin or Dylis Croman are known for their precision like dancing, because they're done the role and have perfected it.  With regards to the new Billy Flynn (Ivan Hernandez) going up on his line, I was surprised to hear of that.  I don't recall anyone ever writing about that happening to "Billy Flynn", but I guess it happens sometimes (tho not very often I imagine).  People have off-days.  (P.S.  I decided to do a census of sorts on the number of my posts since I started the thread in 2011.  There are 780 posts.  Out of those, I counted 432 with my name. Some are repeats, especially if your post is at the end of a page.  If my math is correct, that comes out to about 55.3%.  My fingers are tired.)

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I'm wondering who "Chicago" will find as the newest Velma when AFW's current run finishes on July 26th.   They'll certainly need a veteran Velma to mentor the newest upcoming Roxie-Rumer Willis.  Maybe Carly Hughes can return?  

[ethan231h]

If Carly returns I will definitely be going back!

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Here's a BWW treat:  a video shuffle of Ann Horak, Dylis Croman, Melissa Rae Mahon and Brandy Norwood performing "Roxie."   Fabulous ladies!  http://www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay.php?colid=1062279

[JBradshaw]

"I'm wondering who "Chicago" will find as the newest Velma when AFW's current run finishes on July 26th.   They'll certainly need a veteran Velma to mentor the newest upcoming Roxie-Rumer Willis.  Maybe Carly Hughes can return?  "

 

Why would you think Brandy couldnt dance it? She killed on dancing with the stars  

Carly isn't coming back  

they don't mentor each other, if it's a new person opposite a long running person they don't usually meet till the put in   I've been at many  

Terra is coming back and Amra's going back to Japan come fall winter, exact dates aren't final yet  

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

JB...welcome back.  You've been missed.  I thought Brandy was a good dancer in the various routines, even though I didn't expect the choreography to be Roxie 1.0. But it appeared that she performed very well.   Plus, she has that exhuberance and soulful quality that is appealing.  (I actually never said Brandy couldn't dance it.  Nice to hear about Miss Terra returning as Velma Kelly.  Guys, you're in for a treat!  Terra C is winding up her Seoul, South Korea sit-down show until August 8th, I believe.  Since Amra is finishing up on July 26, then there is a bit of time until Terra C arrives in NYC.  Maybe some of the Velma u/s/s can have a chance to shine.  Also, Brandy ends her run on August 2nd, while Rumer Willis doesn't begin until August 18th.  Maybe the show can get someone like Linda Roginski to fill in until Rumer begins her time.  

[WWBB London]

 

 Omg I love Chicago, defo one of my favourite shows of all time! I seen it at least 5 times now haha ( I probably shouldnt of admitted that xD) 

Also guys I have a number of theatre tickets that I need to sell if any of you guys are interested. I can even offer you up to 60% off certain shows! (no brainer guys)

If you guys are interested do contact me at

[e-mail]

hurry though! tickets are limited  

Tar!

[tazber]

What shows do you have tickets for?

Why do you need to sell them off? How many did you buy?

[JBradshaw]

"JB...welcome back.  You've been missed.  I thought Brandy was a good dancer in the various routines, even though I didn't expect the choreography to be Roxie 1.0. But it appeared that she performed very well.   Plus, she has that exhuberance and soulful quality that is appealing.  (I actually never said Brandy couldn't dance it.  Nice to hear about Miss Terra returning as Velma Kelly.  Guys, you're in for a treat!  Terra C is winding up her Seoul, South Korea sit-down show until August 8th, I believe.  Since Amra is finishing up on July 26, then there is a bit of time until Terra C arrives in NYC.  Maybe some of the Velma u/s/s can have a chance to shine.  Also, Brandy ends her run on August 2nd, while Rumer Willis doesn't begin until August 18th.  Maybe the show can get someone like Linda Roginski to fill in until Rumer begins her time.  "

 Wow. Thanks. I didn't even think I'm liked here. 

Christie Brinkley had the most watered down dancing then followed by Michele T. Williams. Melanie Griffith had very basic dance steps but it didn't matter. She WAS  Roxie. 

Donna Marie has no scheduled Velma dates this month and next. Amra probably will be there longer. Terra doesn't know the exact dates of her return as she said when we talked. 

But see Brandy. Her excitment being in the show is amazing. Her riffs in songs are amazing. She's really a great Roxie. 

[skies]

It almost seems as if the country has watched Brandy grow up, well, actually they have.  She has a nice easy self confidence on stage that is good to see.

[ljay889]

"Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly (thru 11/22)"

EW

[ljay889]

F yourself. 

[ACL2006]

""Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly (thru 11/22)"
EW"

 

Dear God, why???

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

"""Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly (thru 11/22)"

 "

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Amy Spanger will join the Broadway cast as Roxie Hart for a limited run:  August 4-16.  

[Anthony12]

I saw Chicago for the first time last weekend and I was so disappointed with the show!  I expected so much more from this show.  It was so bland.  Brandy's acting was not great, her singing was fabulous and her dancing was okay.  It needs a revamp with more to it.  I was so bored.  The music was amazing!  I love Kander and Ebb.  But the whole thing was staged in front and barely no room to really dance or get the feel of anything.  I was so disappointed.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Anthony, I don't know how much you knew of the show beforehand, but that minimalist approach is a major focus of this show.  The orchestra platform (I forget what it is actually called) is put to good effect.  The performers and the orchestra share this space.  Another notable part of the show is the use of black (remember, black goes with everything. : )    Perhaps you'll have a different opinion when you get the chance to see it a second time?  People have all sorts of views about the show and the performers in it. I just wish that Chicago on Broadway would utilize a variety of Velmas.  

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Great news for Carly Hughes fans!  She will play "Velma Kelly" for a limited number of performances (August 22-September 4) during AFW's hiatus from the show.  I wish Carly Hughes could have a much, much longer run.   

[everythingtaboo]

Going to have to time a return visit for when Carly and Rumer are on at the same time. Seeing Carly last winter was a fabulous breath of fresh air in that role. 

[Phantom4ever]

Anthony, I also HATED Chicago when I first saw it.  In fact, it took eight years and Usher as Billy Flynn to get me to go back. And as soon as the show started, I was hooked. The staging of All That Jazz is so iconic and perfect, the rest of the show just fell into place for me.  

The first time, I was expecting spectacle and costume changes and all that. But the second time (and many more after) I was able to appreciate the minimalist staging which encourages the audiences to focus on the incredible score and instrumentation and the sexy, sultry, hot choreography.