Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread

[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.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Per Telecharge:

Bahiyah Sayyed Gaines as Velma (thru 11/27)
Charlotte d�Amboise as Roxie (thru 12/1
John O�Hurley as Billy (thru 12/1
Carol Woods as Mama Morton (thru 1/29)*
Chris Sullivan as Amos (thru 3/1
R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine (thru 2/16)

*Roz Ryan will play Mama Morton December 5 - December 11.

Wow...the producers must really like Chris Sullivan as Amos..with that multimonth contract! from RC in Austin, Texas..
P.S. For some reason, a smiley face appears on the number 8.

[PianoMann]

I saw MOST of this new cast at the matinee yesterday.

Unfortunately, O'Hurley and Woods didn't perform. The Billy Flynn I saw was very good, except he cheated and transposed the top note of Both Reached for the Gun down, which was disappointing. Mama's understudy was... not very good. The acting was there, but the voice and physique were not right for the role.

Bahiyah Sayyed Gaines as Velma was wonderful; such great intensity! Charlotte d'Amboise was wonderful as well. Chris Sullivan, who I saw in Lombardi, has such a distinct speaking voice, but his singing is absolutely terrific, and he did a great rendition of Mr. Cellophane. R. Lowe is also really great.

[ACL2006]

if the Mama u/s was Nicole Bridgewater, then I'll second that she's terrible and shouldn't cover the role. I saw her go on about two years ago and she was a complete trainwreck as Mama. I really wish the would let longtime veteran Sharon Moore cover Mama instead.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Piano Man...was the Billy Flynn you saw blonde and muscular? If so, then it must have been Jason Patrick Sands. I believe he and Brian O Brien are the two "Billy Flynn" U/S's. "Chicago" does have some leeway in their approaches..whether it's singing or dancing. It 's not a frozen show, so there are some allowances for differences/variety. from RC in Austin, Texas

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I'm having "Chicago" withdrawls. I sing along to the "Chicago" recording every day in my car....even though Ann Reinking's voice sometimes reminds me of Alvin the Chipmunk. I wish the national tour was on more frequently. I'd love to see Terra C. MacLeod as "Velma" on Broadway. from RC in Austin, Texas

[DrowsyGirl]

I am having withdrawals as well, after just having seen the show 12 times in 8 weeks. I'm a HUGE Kara DioGuardi fan, and she was FANTASTIC, so that's why I was there 12 times. But I really came to appreciate the show and the other members of the cast as well. Loved Amra-Faye Wright as Velma. Saw Donna Marie Asbury understudy for Velma twice, and thought she was very good. It was very interesting to see how she played the role differently from AFW and how it changed the dynamics of the show.

Thought Tony Yazbeck was great as Billy, and wondered if all the Billys hold that note in We Both Reached For The Gun that long? Or if that's just a TY thing?

I thought all the dancers were great, but my favorite was Michael Cusumano! His dancing was incredible, and he was so funny as the jury. He was out one night I saw the show, and it just wasn't the same without him.

My other favorite in the show was the conductor, Leslie Stifelman! She probably often goes unappreciated since she's not exactly part of the cast, but I absolutely loved her. She was always full of energy and got the crowd going. And my favorite part of the show was the ad-libbing Kara would do with her during the "Roxie" monologue.

In response to the other poster, when Tony was out a couple of weeks ago Brian O'Brien was his understudy. (I didn't see him as Billy, I just saw an insert from a playbill.)

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Wow...you certainly ARE a fan! I do have a question. With regards to those "Fosse Girls" who are found around Times Square promoting "Chicago", are they hired for that purpose or are they actually part of the cast? I've sometimes wondered about that. from RC in Austin, Texas

[DrowsyGirl]

They're just hired to hand out flyers, although I would assume most are broadway hopefuls themselves since they do "act" as if they are part of the show. But they are definitely not cast.

[Kalimba]

What ljay said.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Charlotte D'Amboise's last day as "Roxie Hart" is December 18th. Who would you like to see as her replacement? My vote goes to Bianca Marroquin. Thoughts? from RC in Austin, Texas

[ACL2006]

I love Bianca's Roxie, but she's done the show a lot. I really would like to see some new people do the leads(no celebs).

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

That true about Bianca, but Charlotte has done the show a lot as well. She keeps getting asked back, time after time. We'll see. from RC in Austin, Texas 12-5-11 3:31 a.m. CST

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I've never heard of Marco Zunino, but he is certainly handsome. I found a Spanish language interview he did recently for a Peruvian website. In it, he mistakenly mentions that Roxie and Velma eliminated their spouses. However, he does say that Bianca Marroquin (Roxie Hart) might join him in "Chicago". Charlotte D'Amboise was originally slated to end her current run on Dec. 18th, but has extended to Jan. 15, 2012. So, it would make perfect sense for Bianca to return to her role (as one of the best) as Roxie on Jan. 16th. I'd LOVE to see her do the role when I visit NYC in March. from RC in Austin, Texas


Marco Zunino

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Here is a picture of the newest (upcoming) Billy Flynn. from RC in Austin, Texas

[BorisIgor]

I also heard Marco Zunino's interview in Spanish. He used the word "maridos" which in Peru means "significant other (male) or boyfriend". He did not say husband. Marco is an accomplished TV and Musical Theatre performer. He has participated in more than 10 musiclas, starring in 4 of them, and winning Peru's highest acting award for his role of EmCee in Cabaret. It was that performance that caught the attention of many international producers. In 2013 Marco will follow Hugh Jackman's steps in the role of Peter Allen in the first ever Latin American production of The Boy from Oz. His upcoming performance in Chicago should be interesting, as it is the first time that the production will have a Latin Billy Flynn.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I'm thrilled to find out that Bianca Marroquin is returning to her role as Roxie Hart on January 16th! I hope to see her when I visit NYC in March. By the way, her birthday is on Jan. 15th. from RC in Austin, Texas

[blaxx]

Who has the Roxie record? Charlotte or Bianca? They must be pretty close.

[ghostlight2]

My money's on Charlotte.

[ljay889]

Charlotte holds the record.

http://chicago.broadwayworld.com/printcolumn.php?id=43356

I'd think that Brenda Braxton holds the record for Velma.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Last March 2011, I saw the amazing Leigh Zimmerman as Velma. This past June 2011, I was able to see Terra C twice in the role. It would be awesome to see either lovely lady in the role of Velma on Broadway. I'm actually thinking of seeing the show twice during my upcoming visit to NYC. I love it that much. from RC in Austin, Texas

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Has anyone seen "Chicago" recently? How is the newest "Velma" doing? Just wondering....from RC in Austin, Texas

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I found this crazazy video of Bianca Marroquin and a troupe of junior dancers in a rendition of "Hot Honey Rag". It's a Univision (Spanish language show) with child performers. I must say that Bianca launches a wicked high note at the end of "All That Jazz". To top it off, she then finishes with an amazing split. It seems that Bianca could also do justice to the role of "Velma". Wow! from RC in Austin, Texas
Bianca Marroquin

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Nooooooooo! I was so looking forward to seeing Bianca Marroquin as Roxie Hart (planning to go to NYC in mid-March). But, according to Telecharge, Ms. Marroquin is only scheduled to be Roxie from Jan. 16 -- Feb. 26. What rot! I sincerely hopes she gets her stay extended. Grrrrrrr. from RC in Austin, Texas

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Hello. I'm looking forward to my upcoming trip. It is my dream to see Bianca Marroquin as "Roxie." Someone from her Facebook fan page mentioned that she would be extending to April 5th, as Christie Brinkley returns on April 6th. Speaking of Miss Brinkley, I was surprised when her name was mentioned to be part of the upcoming national tour of "Chicago." Personally, I hope to see Terra C McLeod either on Broadway (when the current Velma leaves on Feb. 12th) or on the American Tour. Terra and Bianca have worked before, during a Japan tour of "Chicago" in 2009. If not Terra, I'd love to see the vivacious Leigh Zimmerman return to the show on Broadway. She knows "Chicago" inside and out, as she was the original "Go-To-Hell-Kitty" in the current Chicago revival. in 1996. Marco Zunino also leaves on Feb. 12th. I have no idea who the producers might bring in as "Billy Flynn." Well, I'm counting the days till I board my JetBlue direct flight to NYC. I'll get there in about 3.5 hours. Luckily, I got a hotel close to the Ambassador...the Washington Jefferson (near 51st St. and 8th Ave.). Laters...RC in Austin, Texas

[Rentfan931]

http://m.playbill.com/news/article/159293-Amra-Faye-Wright-Returns-to-Broadways-Chicago-Feb-2-Marco-Zunino-Bianca-Marroquin-Extend-Runs