Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Whateverjsays
Featured Actor Joined: 7/12/16
#1Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 12:25pm
Spice Girl Mel B was just announced to join Chicago for 8 weeks starting in December, role will be announced soon....
#2Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 12:27pm
How weird they're not announcing the role.....she'd probably be quite a good Velma.
#3Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 12:37pm
This is a fun bit of casting. She would be a great Velma.
A little swash, a bit of buckle - you'll love it more than bread.
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#4Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 12:42pm
How can they not know what role? Or if they do know, why not tell us? Bizarre.
nasty_khakis
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/15/07
#5Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 12:48pm
It might be them trying to avoid what happened to Mya happen again. On paper she's a great Velma, but maybe they'll get into rehearsals and she can't quite dance it or hit the notes or heck, maybe just like Roxy better?
#6Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 12:57pm
For 8 weeks only? I'm thinking Mama Morton. I just hope she's better than she was in Rent.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
Updated On: 11/2/16 at 12:57 PM
#7Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 12:59pm
I'd guess and say she'll be Roxie. I don't think she's a strong enough dancer to pull off Velma.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#8Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 1:19pm
nasty_khakis said: "It might be them trying to avoid what happened to Mya happen again. On paper she's a great Velma, but maybe they'll get into rehearsals and she can't quite dance it or hit the notes or heck, maybe just like Roxy better? "
Good point, I totally forgot about that.
#9Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 1:49pm
Mya cancelled her run due to an ankle injury that occurred during rehearsals.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
nasty_khakis
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/15/07
#10Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 1:52pm
ACL2006 said: "Mya cancelled her run due to an ankle injury that occurred during rehearsals."
Yup, that was the story they told the press. That and Christian Hoff's foot. :)
trpguyy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/25/05
#11Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 1:57pm
... and Kyle Selig's vocal rest, Sandy Duncan's family emergency... NAMCO's going to run out excuses sooner or later.
Updated On: 11/2/16 at 01:57 PM
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#13Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 2:30pm
I see her as a Velma. Although I think she would do well as Mama, the current Matron is contracted till Jan. 15th. It's strange that her role hasn't been announced.
"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: 11/2/16 at 02:30 PM
#14Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 2:34pm
Isn't Jenna Elfman still rehearsing for the Nine revival?
"Broadway...I'll lick you yet!"
#15Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 2:36pm
I'm thinking Mama Morton, but stranger casting has gone on there than her as either Velma or Roxy.
#16Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 2:36pm
My money is on Mary Sunshine.
"Broadway...I'll lick you yet!"
BroadwayConcierge
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/24/15
#17Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 2:37pm
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Spice-Girls-Star-Mel-B-to-Do-the-Cell-Block-Tango-in-Broadways-CHICAGO-20161102
I mean, "doing the Cell Block Tango" would suggest Velma, right?
#18Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 2:38pm
"Yup, that was the story they told the press. That and Christian Hoff's foot. :)"
and Jeremy Piven's "Mercury poisoning" shenanigans.
"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."
#19Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 2:38pm
I don't think BroadwayWorld puts that much thought in their headlines.
"Broadway...I'll lick you yet!"
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#20Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 2:39pm
BWW headlines aren't exactly known for their accuracy. That headline didn't come from the press rep.
http://theatermania.com/broadway/news/mel-b-scary-spice-broadway-chicago_79005.html?cid=homepage_news
#21Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 3:52pm
Mama Morton is the only part she is now capable of playing-BUT, she has lost a lot of weight lately [so maybe?] and she WAS Scary Spice.
#22Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 4:03pm
I'm thinking she's a busy gal, kids, filming appearances, etc. It may be that she was able to commit to the time period, but unable to gauge her time to prep and they're still working out details. However, it is an odd announcement- not sure she's a huge draw that will create a rush to the Box Office. My thought is Mama Morton on this one!
#23Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 4:20pm
As far as Mya, I remember when she was rehearsing, I think there was a Broadway.com video blog or something and it really seemed like she was going to be great. She's an exceptional trained dancer, as many remember from DWTS and tapping in her music videos and I remember how surprisingly good she sounded during those rehearsals. I really hope it was the injury that kept her out, I was really looking forward to a star replacement finally being Velma.
Was there really anything concrete about her just not working out in rehearsal?
Anyway, excited to see what happens with Mel!
"...and in a bed."
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#24Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 4:22pm
"I'm thinking she's a busy gal, kids, filming appearances, etc."
She is?
BroadwayConcierge
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/24/15
#25Mel B joining 'Chicago'
Posted: 11/2/16 at 4:23pm
https://www.telecharge.com/Broadway/Chicago/Overview
The overview page says NaTasha Williams is Mama Morton "thru 1/15," though I guess that could be wrong. Why they wouldn't announce Mel's role with this excuse of a press release is beyond me.
