BeBe Returns To Chicago
BeBe Returns To Chicago
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#1BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 11:12am
I'm wondering if this has ever happened before. A leading lady returns to a production in a lesser role.
Of course we've seen it when the medium has changed: Chita doing a cameo in Chicago, Loretta Devine doing a cameo in Dreamgirls.
Link
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Mark-o
Stand-by Joined: 8/19/13
#2BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 11:16amNeuwirth as Morton will be interesting-but if Amra Faye Wright is playing Velma at the same time is would INDEED be tragic! The comparison. Maybe the girl would actually put some effort into it if BeBe is standing there. Outshining her. Just. By. Standing. There.
#3BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 11:26am
I'm wondering if this has ever happened before. A leading lady returns to a production in a lesser role.
Definitely.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#4BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 11:49am
I saw Jeff Conaway as Danny in the original Grease then saw him as Vince Fontaine in the 1990s revival. I am sure I will think of more.
Updated On: 12/17/13 at 11:49 AM
#5BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 11:51am
Amra Fay Wright is scheduled to depart on January 12, 2013. Here is the Telecharge schedule for Chicago
Chicago Schedule
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
Updated On: 12/17/13 at 11:51 AM
#6BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 11:54am^Bebe is supposed to start on the 14th of January.
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#7BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 11:54am
In other news, Patti LuPone returns to Evita as the Mistress, Angela Lansbury returns to Sweeney Todd as the Beggar Woman and Chita Rivera returns to West Side Story as Anybodys.
This could be a whole new marketing gimmick.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Musicaldudepeter
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/18/10
#8BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 11:56amBebe must sorely be stuck for a pay check. This is all kinds of wrong. What a thankless role for a powerhouse like her...
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#9BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 11:57am
"Bebe must sorely be stuck for a pay check."
Partly because she can be...how shall we say?...difficult to work with.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
#10BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 12:06pmLooking forward to Joel Grey's Matron after BB Gun departs.
#12BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 12:44pm
Does the casting of Mama Morton really put bodies into seats?
It's a supporting role, no matter who is playing the part. Do fans flock?
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#13BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 12:52pmThe press release states she will be the first woman to play all three of those roles in this production. I suppose she's the first one to do it on a full-time basis, but I know Donna Marie Asbury has covered and performed all of them. And Belle Callaway, too, I think.
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#14BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 12:53pmI can't wait to see Carol Channing as Minnie Fay in the Midler/DOLLY revival!
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#15BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 1:10pmBeth Fowler returns to play the fetus in the Broadway musical "Baby".
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
jonartdesigns
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/04
#16BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 2:27pmI booked tickets to this using the discount code from Chicago's facebook page, 6th row center for 80 bucks isn't too shabby. I hope and pray that Leigh Zimmerman comes back to play Velma, I cannot bear to watch Amra sleepwalk through the show again.
"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel
#17BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 3:28pm
...and later this year she will return yet again in a FOURTH role, playing "Billie" Flynn ..... which actually would be a terrific bit of stunt casting.
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Updated On: 12/17/13 at 03:28 PM
#18BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 3:30pmUntil she plays "squish," I won't go back.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#20BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 4:24pm
Re: Adam - Belle has played Hunyak, Roxie and Mama never Velma.
How is Bebe returning as Mama tragic? She doesn't need the paycheck. Bebe loves the show. She's at the theatre often. She can't dance Velma anymore due to hip replacements. She was stellar as Roxie. I can not wait to see her as Mama. I've seen this revival over 100xs starting back to its start at Encores! Being a hardcore fan I don't find it tragic. I actually find it inspired casting.
I do hope that Amra is gone, cause I hate her sloppy Velma...but if she is still there I will say she'll probably start giving good performances...when Bebe's back the cast tends to bring their A game.
Curious if Ruthie Henshall who played Roxie and Velma both on Broadway and London came back as Mama? She does a stellar version of Mama's song on her most recent album.
Personally I'd love to see Bebe's Mama opposite Terra MacLeod or Deirde Goodwin's Velma.
Mattbrain
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/23/05
#21BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 4:27pmHaving not seen Amra's Velma, what specifically is wrong with her performance? I'm curious.
Butters, go buy World of Warcraft, install it on your computer, and join the online sensation before we all murder you.
--Cartman: South Park
ATTENTION FANS: I will be played by James Barbour in the upcoming musical, "BroadwayWorld: The Musical."
#22BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 5:04pm
I first saw Amra in 2006. She was ok, that's the only way I could describe her. Visually stunning. Ok but thin vocals. Dancing was fine. For some reason the acting, singing, dancing all just didn't combine together to make an amazing performance but it was fine.
Another time I saw Amra she was opposite Ruthie Henshall I didn't mention anything about Amra to the friend I was with. Midshow my friend leaned in and said "wow Velma can't dance fosse"
It's not that she's terrible it's just sloppy. It's like watching someone go through the motions. It's how Brenda Braxton was. She was fierce when she opened the 3rd NT and she was fierce when she got to broadway in 2004 but then it got to be performances of like she was phoning it in.
Amra shines opposite a weak Roxie *cough Kara from American idol cough*
WestCoastActor/Director
Stand-by Joined: 2/8/05
#23BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 5:28pmI saw Glynnis Johns, the original Broadway Desiree as Madame Armfelt in "A Little Night Music" in Los Angeles years ago.
#24BeBe Returns To Chicago
Posted: 12/17/13 at 5:37pm
I saw her in one of her earlier runs with the show and in 2012. 2007ish sounds about right for the first time. She was okay, but nothing special. She lacked in the dancing, especially when we think of the dancing Velma typically does. By 2012, it was just flat out tired. Everything was being done just to get it done. Nothing seemed like it was done in an exciting way. It reminded me of every person who has had a job for a while and was bored. Nothing was done in exceed expectations. It was being done good enough to get by. No excitement, no life, and pizazz. That being said, I didn't like her voice. At all. Something about her tone really didn't jive with me. It didn't bother my companions, but it seemed like high quality community theater style voice.
Her performance was tired. She made the show seem tired. I'm not a huge Chicago fan, but I don't hate the show by any means. However, if you told me we were going to go see the show and she was in it, I'd probably pass and order take out food and watch a movie.
