Jennifer Nettles and Carly Hughes Join Chicago Tonight!

[Littleshopofcarrie]

Posted: 2/2/15 at 8:49am

Anybody going? Very excited to hear how they both are!

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 11:15pm

Any updates? I'm a little surprised that we haven't heard that much about them yet.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 11:51pm

I see very positive thoughts on Twitter.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 2/4/15 at 12:26am

I watched the Broadway.com clips. I think they might have still been in rehearsal or performing for some press thing because of the way they were dressed and the spare nature of the set up. If I try to get tickets I'll probably wait a little later in her run when she's settled into the role more.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/4/15 at 12:32am

Right. Those weren't the costumes, and the orchestra wasn't there. But that's the actual set of the show.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 2/4/15 at 1:09am

Is that the lighting they normally use? (I've never seen the stage show before. Just the movie. Many, many times.)

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 2/4/15 at 4:10pm

What you saw was a press sneak peek - they are not in costumes, wigs, etc.. They basically performed a selection of songs and were interviewed for the press/media to have content for promotional purposes. Though it was indeed filmed at the Ambassador Theatre, for this press sneak peek the stage is lit for the cameras. Any of the footage you see is no representation of how the show is actually performed nor how the ladies will look in the actual show.

Now, for those unfamiliar with this current Broadway revival production and only the 2002 film adaptation, this production is a concert-style production: no sets, no costumes, the entire cast is dressed as if in a concert performance. The original 1975 Broadway production did indeed have costumes and sets and this production is what the 2002 film adaptation is based on. The film adaptation is not based on this current minimalistic concert-style Broadway revival.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/4/15 at 4:19pm

^You make it sound like the actors are wearing their street clothes. Yes it's minimal but the costumes are gorgeous, sexy and often designed for each actor. The jury box set for the orchestra is clever and works well with the minamalistic approach. It's simple but there's an elegance to it.

[DAME]

Posted: 2/4/15 at 4:39pm

"Now, for those unfamiliar with this current Broadway revival production and only the 2002 film adaptation, this production is a concert-style production: no sets, no costumes, the entire cast is dressed as if in a concert performance. The original 1975 Broadway production did indeed have costumes and sets and this production is what the 2002 film adaptation is based on. The film adaptation is not based on this current minimalistic concert-style Broadway revival. "


Not necessarily so. First of all the costumes in the revival are stunning. And there are understated influences from the revival in the film. I saw the original. And I know others disagree... but for me the revival is superior.

[starcatchers]

Posted: 2/7/15 at 5:03pm

Saw them both on Thursday night. Stunning performances all around. Nettles dances surprisingly well, and has just the right amount of goofy charm for Roxie (and is completely without her trademark Southern twang).Carly Hughes is - shocking no one - perfectly cast as Velma.

[Tag]

Posted: 2/7/15 at 5:09pm

"Now, for those unfamiliar with this current Broadway revival production and only the 2002 film adaptation, this production is a concert-style production: no sets, no costumes, the entire cast is dressed as if in a concert performance. The original 1975 Broadway production did indeed have costumes and sets and this production is what the 2002 film adaptation is based on. The film adaptation is not based on this current minimalistic concert-style Broadway revival. "

How can someone so informed of the theatre world say this?!?!
This revival may appear minimal, but it one of the most cleverly designed and appropriately designed shows on Broadway.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 2/7/15 at 5:16pm

I beg to differ. It WAS that.
Last time. I saw the show, the physical elements were in a sorry state that defied the concept and elegance. More than once, the stage lights changed and a wide swath of costume pieces turned a deep shade of maroon, which means they never checked out new fabrics would respond to the stage lights, and therefore the entire color palate was ruined.
That made me very, very sad.
But yes, as originally designed, I think the costumes in particular are strikingly beautiful and equally celebrate Fosse as well as the dancers.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/7/15 at 11:14pm

Here's a wonderful rehearsal video from the NY Times, including Ann Reinking.

http://www.nytimes.com/video/theater/100000003487011/broadway-debut-of-a-country-star.html