Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread

[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. 

[actorsnonactors]

Amy Spanger? More like Amy SANGer! AMIRITE, PEOPLE?!?!

Post 800. Yay.

[Anthony12]

Maybe one day with bigger names.  I think part of it was me seeing it in the mezz and I hate seeing shows in the mezz since I don't feel like I'm a part of the show.  The other part I feel is that it's been running for so long that I feel like it's a tired production.  Cabaret is my fav show of all time and I appreciated the score, story and everything and it had the perfect amount of change within the show.

[ACL2006]

"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.   "

 Hughes' is simply filling in for AFW's vacation. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I'm watching the Chicago West End documentary.  I decided to look up Ute Lemper and found that she's making a few special appearances in NYC in the fall.   (from her official website)

Thursday, 19 November, 2015
New York, USA
Café Sabarsky at Neue Galerie
1048 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028
Special Commemoration Concert for the Holocaust for the 70 years liberation of the Camps
Ute will perform songs that were written in the Concentration Camps of Auschwitz and Theresienstadt, and other songs written by Jewish composers of the Weimar time that were able to escape the Holocaust.
Click here for venue website
Tel: [phone]

Friday, 20 November, 2015
New York, USA
Café Sabarsky at Neue Galerie
1048 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028
Special Commemoration Concert for the Holocaust for the 70 years liberation of the Camps
Ute will perform songs that were written in the Concentration Camps of Auschwitz and Theresienstadt, and other songs written by Jewish composers of the Weimar time that were able to escape the Holocaust.
Click here for venue website
Tel: [phone]

Saturday, 21 November, 2015
New York, USA
Café Sabarsky at Neue Galerie
1048 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028
Special Commemoration Concert for the Holocaust for the 70 years liberation of the Camps
Ute will perform songs that were written in the Concentration Camps of Auschwitz and Theresienstadt, and other songs written by Jewish composers of the Weimar time that were able to escape the Holocaust.
Click here for venue website
Tel: [phone]

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Dylis Croman is joining the Broadway cast as Roxie (per Telecharge), beginning on August 18th.   She is absolutely awesome as Roxie!

 

Amy Spanger as Roxie Hart (thru 8/16)
Dylis Croman as Roxie Hart (8/18 - 9/13)
Rumer Willis as Roxie Hart (9/14 - 11/1)
Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly (thru 8/21; 9/5 - 11/22)
Carly Hughes as Velma Kelly (8/22 - 9/4)
Ivan Hernandez as Billy Flynn (thru 8/23)
Raymond Bokhour as Amos Hart (thru 9/20)
NaTasha Yvette Williams as Matron "Mama" Morton (thru 9/27)
R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine (thru 1/31)

 

 

 

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Rumer Willis is recovering from a foot injury.  Dylis is stepping into the role for while.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

The talented and handsome Ryan Silverman has returned to the role of "Billy Flynn" in "Chicago" (as of August 31, 2015).  

[Javi]

I'm in New York mid December and what do you think is the likelihood that they will get a name actor to replace Rumer Willis when she leaves?  Looks like none of the main cast is listed past October/November.  I'm looking for something to see on a Monday night as there aren't that many options, so I thought I'd see Chicago if there was someone I really wanted to see (I've already seen the show over 20 times and love it).

Dylis Croman as Roxie Hart (thru 9/13)
Rumer Willis as Roxie Hart (9/14 - 11/1)
Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly (thru 11/22)
Ryan Silverman as Billy Flynn (thru 10/12)
Raymond Bokhour as Amos Hart (thru 9/20)
NaTasha Yvette Williams as Matron "Mama" Morton (thru 9/27)

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/UPDATE-Rumer-Willis-Pushes-Back-Broadway-Debut-in-CHICAGO-Again-20150914  Rumer Willis postpones her Broadway debut in Chicago.  Again.   I guess she hasn't healed properly?

[Call_me_jorge]

That article states that amy Spanger is starring in chicago when that is not true, because amy is in Matilda now.

[dramamama611]

Only by a week.   It doesn't say why, but her tweet doesn't mention injury or healing.  Odd.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I guess the producers can always ask Dylis Croman to stay on just a bit more. 

[smidge]

I wonder if she delayed to make an appearance on tonight's Dancing with the Stars premiere?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Well, that's just for one day.  Is it possible that she needs the extra time to learn the songs and choreography?   There's a good chance that she'll learn the modified version of the choreography that is usually utilized for non-professional theatre Roxies.  (or as some would call it....Roxie lite).

[JBradshaw]

Rumor won dancing with the stars. She doesn't need the lite dancing. 

She was in the audience at dancing with the stars tonight. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Dylis Croman will continue on as Roxie until September 20th.  Rumer Willis is scheduled to begin her run on Sept. 21st.   

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

http://www.buzzfeed.com/chicagomusical/32-things-that-make-chicago-the-musical-the-one-a-tiza  A Buzzfeed member posted this.  It is about all things "Chicago".   Number 15 will make many a fan "swoon."  

[Hairspray0901]

I was watching DWTS and noticed Rumer was there too. Interesting since she postponed her Chicago debut again, but yet, there she was in the audience. I realize sitting there watching and actually performing on an injury on Broadway are two totally different things, but, I still found it odd she was able to make it to their premiere.

I hope she joins soon!! Dying to see her in the role. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/THE-VISITs-Jason-Danieley-Will-Be-Broadways-Next-Billy-Flynn-in-CHICAGO-20150924    I'm not really familiar with him.  I did have a chance to see him in "The Visit."  

[ljay889]

He's overqualified for Billy Flynn. Deserves better than being one of the countless replacements, but this will be a cake gig for him. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I'm surprised there  hasn't been any video released of Rumer Willis as Roxie.  By the way, if  you happen to see her in the show, please share  your thoughts about her performance.  

[Deena Jones]

Has anyone seen Rumer Willis yet?

[VintageSnarker]

I would love to go back for Jason Danieley because he is so overqualified but I've already seen this Chicago revival two more times than I ever thought I would (for Jennifer Nettles and Brandy) and I've no real desire to see Rumer Willis. I hope he's back with a new show soon. Or an album. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Here's Rumer's interpretation of "Me and My Baby" on the telly.  Personally, I was underwhelmed and so many changes to the original choreography.   http://www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay.php?colid=1128951

[ljay889]

Wow, I've never seen those changes to the ending before. I'm sure JBradshaw could clarify if it's been used before.