Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Some rehearsal footage of  Eddie George as he prepares to take on the role of Billy Flynn in Chicago, on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.   http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/nfl-star-takes-broadway-billy-flynn-chicago-36162238

[yankeefan7]

"Some rehearsal footage of  Eddie George as he prepares to take on the role of Billy Flynn in Chicago, on Tuesday, January 12, 2016. "

 

It is casting like this that has me not taking "Chicago" seriously anymore but it is still not as bad as when they hired "Christie Brinkley". To this day, I still believe James Naughton getting the Tony (Billy Flynn) over Robert Cuccioli in "Jekyll & Hyde" was one of the biggest robberies in a long time.

[ACL2006]

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Some rehearsal footage of  Eddie George as he prepares to take on the role of Billy Flynn in Chicago, on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.   http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/nfl-star-takes-broadway-billy-flynn-chicago-36162238

 

"

he looks terrible & sounds even worse. YIKES!!! For once I feel bad for AFW to be paired up with him.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I must admit I heard one note of his and thought: "did I hear that right"?    

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Has anyone seen Eddie George as Billy Flynn?  How is he doing?  

[vitamins]

any news about new Roxies and Velmas?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

ACL's favorite Velma... Amra Faye Wright is the current Velma until Feb. 28th.   After that, who knows?  We know the drill:  she ends a run and returns a few weeks later.   I still hope that my very first Velma, Leigh Zimmerman , returns for a good stay.  I'm thinking maybe Carly Hughes will make a return when AFW leaves her present run?  With regards to Roxie, it's high time for Charlotte D'Amboise to make another appearance....or maybe Paige Davis?  Telecharge is a very good source to find upcoming cast changes for Chicago.

[ACL2006]

I personally think D' Amboise is done with Chicago. Just a guess considering she's over 50 these days.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Well, maybe D'Amboise can do a farewell run?  I mean, she's the quintessential Roxie.  I believe she can do it.  The current Velma is 55, so I don't think there's a problem with Charlotte playing Roxie at her current age.  

[BrodyFosse123]

Chita Rivera was kicking her leg behind her head and dancing in the dance-heavy KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN back in the early 90s and she was 65.  

 

The dancing in CHICAGO is no where near as demanding.  d'Amboise can dance CHICAGO in her sleep.  

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Paige Davis is joining the cast of "Chicago" for a limited run as Roxie Hart, starting (probably) on Feb. 1st.  

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

On Twitter, Paige Davis mentioned that she will play Roxie from now until April 3, 2016.   Awesome news!  Now, I wonder who is the next Velma after Feb. 28th.  

[Phantom4ever]

Awesome I have been looking for an end date for Paige Davis' stint as Roxie. I will be in the city in early April and I've always wanted to see her in Chicago.  It means I won't be able to see one of the newer shows but that's ok. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I was looking forward to seeing Eddie George on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.  Normally, celebrities with the show promote themselves on various talk shows.  I was curious to see what kind of a voice he had, assuming that he'd perform "something" from "Chicago".  I dvr'ed it.  When I did see it, it was all talk, talk, talk.  It was quite surprising that no singing was done.  He could have done a snippet of "All I Care About Is Love" on his own.  Not even that.  Is it possible that he's turning out to be a male Christie Brinkley?  I'd be curious to hear from someone who has actually seen him perform in the show.  

[DivosThoughts]

This may have been suggested before, but I am curious to hear if anyone else agrees if Jessie J needs to be in this production as Roxie, or even Velma. Anyone agree, disagree? I think she would sing the crap out of the score.

[JBradshaw]

Paige is worth seeing. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nHkM9IUDPA8

my friends and I like to call her pretty Paige, cause she is very pretty. - random fact she started off in the ensemble when she went by Mindy before "Trading Spaces", mostly as Annie. 

Eddie was never meant to perform on the late show. So what he didn't sing a few lines from the show. Anyone who thought he'd be bringing in sell out crowds is crazy. His hardcore fan base has already been to see it. His name means nothing to the large amount of tourists that see the show. Amra actually has a larger foreign fanbase that sees the show for her. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

The February 20th matinee will be a historic milestone for "Chicago".  The show will celebrate its 8,000th performance on that day.  

[Jessetenny]

I saw the show back in September, I was SO excited to see this! I LOVE the musical itself, and All That Jazz and I Can't Do It Alone are two of my favourite numbers but IMO AFW did a terrible job. You could hardly understand a word she was saying. I got really turned off this musical, and its grosses seem to be going down a lot.. Does anyone think it could close ever? Or in the near future?

[BroadwayConcierge]

Amra is STILL IN THE CAST??? Good lord in heavens.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Tenny, "Chicago" is not going anywhere anytime soon.  It has probably built up reserves over the years.  Plus, it seems to be a show that is economical to run: basically one set, not much variety in costumes, etc.  I imagine the salaries of cast members are not what they could be.  The Weisslers are known to be tight with a buck.  Yes, AFW is still with the cast.  Her last day is supposed to be Feb. 28th.  There are only a limited number of Velmas who have done the show the past five years or so.  The next Velma will stay on for a limited time and then AFW returns like clockwork. (grrrr)  I would LOVE to see Leigh Zimmerman again as Velma Kelly.  Telecharge is a good source for present and future castings of Chicago principals.  

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

The tour cast pictures have finally been displayed on the Chicago website.  Lots of new faces.  Tom Hewitt is the tour Billy Flynn after Detroit.  I will always remember seeing Christophe Caballero in Fort Worth.  He looked so much like Molly Ringwald when he played Mary Sunshine.  http://chicagothemusical.com/cast_ustour.php

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

The current tour schedule:  http://chicagothemusical.com/ustour.php

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Jason Danieley is returning to "Chicago" as "Billy Flynn on February 29th.  He's amazing.....especially with his incredibly long note in "the...... gun" in "Both Reached For The Gun."

[Mr Roxy]

Hard to believe how much longer it has lasted over the original production. I doubt the producers of this revival had any idea it would get to anywhere remotely near 8,000 performances.

[BrodyFosse123]

Bob Fosse's original Broadway production ran only 2 years - Summer 1975 to Summer 1977. 

 

I think it's safe to say this 1996 revival has run noticeably longer than the original.  

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Congratulations to Chicago on its 8,000th performance at today's matinee!