Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread

[ljay889]

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

[EricMontreal22]

Is she just poorly miked?  she seems to be concentrating so much on the choreography that she barely sings and certainly has no presence in that clip.

[ACL2006]

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "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

 

"

yeah, the choreography for the end of that was terrible. I guess this is why I prefer d'Amboise or Croman as Roxie.

[Phantom4ever]

Oh my goodness that clip made me so sad. Me and My Baby is my favorite number in the show and one of my favorite pieces of choreography of any show. I love seeing Charlotte or Bianca do it. Brandy did not do it justice either this summer but she was perfection compared to Rumer. 

I suppose they added that bizarre flip during "facing the world optimistically" to make up for everything else that was taken away. And the ending.........well........perhaps it was because the stage wasn't wide enough to do the usual running and hopping across the stage? Perhaps Rumer can't do the high kick that Roxie is supposed to do?  

And her voice came off as nervous and unsure. It seemed like she thought her microphone would make her louder than it actually did. And it seemed like she ran out of breath at the end of each line. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Also, I thought her tempo was kind of slow....in the singing and dancing.

[EricMontreal22]

ACL2006 said: "Patti LuPone FANatic said: "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

 

 

 

"

 

yeah, the choreography for the end of that was terrible. I guess this is why I prefer d'Amboise or Croman as Roxie.

 

"

What, wait?  You prefer a well known Broadway professional like Charlotte to Rumer??  *shock*

[EricMontreal22]

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Also, I thought her tempo was kind of slow....in the singing and dancing.

 

"

Definitely--it's usually at a quick clip.

[JBradshaw]

ljay889 said: "Wow, I've never seen those changes to the ending before. I'm sure JBradshaw could clarify if it's been used before. 

 

Wow actually being mentioned in a post, I'm starting to finally feeling welcome here

It's a very small performance space at Live.  Tempo was a bit slow, yes.  It was modification to fit the performance space. 

 

[EricMontreal22]

dramamama611 said: "There are few enough women dominated shows.....let the gals grab the attention for this one.

I'm bringing my HS group to see this in a few weeks. I hope they are on top of their game,Christie Brinkley will have just started so I'm hoping that will give them a new lease on it's life!"

This thread was just bumped, but it made me laugh...  I hope Brinkley didn't turn off Dramamama's HS class for life.

[1971FolliesFan]

For anyone interested in the original 1975 production: 

 

Here is a restored version of the 1975 commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsldGreIh_U

 

This film was shot by chorus girl Candy Brown during the tryouts; it's been put back at the original speed (as up until now it had been circulated at a speed way too fast) and visually enhanced and restored https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcR7l4PaG2A

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I absolutely hate those male dancers' costumes.  Yuck.  Ah, those 1970's. 

[1971FolliesFan]

But the show is set in the 1920s. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I was actually referring to the year that the show came out.  Also, there's nothing 1920's about those dancers' costumes.  

[1971FolliesFan]

I'm afraid I have to agree. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

  Jason Danieley will play Billy Flynn from October 13, 2015 -- January 10, 2016.  https://www.telecharge.com/Broadway/Chicago/Overview

 

[SexyBroadway]

omg rumer looked terrible in that video. cant sing cant dance just terrible

[ACL2006]

yes, but who's replacing AFW after 11/22 is the bigger question?? I hope Hughes is brought back in.

[ljay889]

I hope AFW doesn't extend. It would be great to see Danieley and not have to sit through AFW's Velma. 

[JBradshaw]

Not Carly. 

Terra is the next Velma. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Someone mentioned that Terra C would have a stint as Velma, during the fall.  She's an awesome performer.  As talented as AFW is...it gets really boring when she returns...and returns...and returns.  ENUF! (see above)

[SexyBroadway]

i love terra c. however, she's another one who returns....and returns...and returns :)

I want them to get current big broadway stars in the show. Patina Miller and Laura Osnes  or Sutton Foster and Kelli O'Hara would be amazing as Velma and Roxie!

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

The previous poster exaggerates.  Terra C is infrequently part of the Broadway cast.  When she does appear, it's for a very limited time.  She's a stellar Velma for the various national and international productions.  

[ljay889]

I wouldn't necessarily say that Terra has appeared infrequently in the Broadway production. Here's a list of her stints according to IBDB. 

•        Velma Kelly - Replacement (Jul 27, 2004 - Feb 13, 2005)
  • Velma Kelly - Replacement (Feb 21, 2008 - Mar 06, 2008  
  • Velma Kelly - Replacement (Oct 27, 2008 - Nov 02, 2008  
  • Velma Kelly - Replacement (Feb 08, 2010 - Jul 11, 2010)
  • Velma Kelly - Replacement (May 07, 2012 - Sep 23, 2012)
  • Velma Kelly - Replacement (Aug 05, 2013 - Aug 18, 2013)
  • Velma Kelly - Replacement (Jul 21, 2014 - Aug 03, 2014)
  •  
  •  
  • Terra is good, but I've never been blown away by her. In terms of vocals, she is one of the weaker Velmas. But she is a great dancer with great stage presence. At this point, I would think Amra, Terra, and Brenda Braxton have done the most peformances as Velma on Broadway. I find it interesting that they have never brought back "new Velmas" like Luba Mason, Nancy Lemenager, Bahiyah Hibah, and Nikka Graff Lanzarone. The role really needs more variety on Broadway. 

[ACL2006]

The show needs a fresh feel to it. Too many actors have been able to come & go with the show for 5, 10 years or more now. It's time to clean house & bring in a brand new cast.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I wish the producers would let some of the understudies shine in the role of Velma.  Many of us are aware that Donna Marie Asbury is a fantastic Velma, but let Kelci Griffin and Lara Seibert  Young get some shows in as Velma.  It's fanastic that Seibert Young is both a Velma and Roxie understudy.  She's part of the future of Chicago. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

According to the Official Chicago the Musical website, the national tour resumes once more in January 2016.  http://chicagothemusical.com/ustour.php

January 12-17, 2016 Wilmington, Delaware

February 9-14, 2016  Detroit, Michigan

February 19-21,2016  North Charleston, South Carolina

February 29-March 1, 2016  Kalamazoo, Michigan

April 11-12, 2016 State College, Pennsylvania

April 15-17, 2016  Newport News, Virginia

May17-22,2016  Appleton, Wisconsin