My name is Roman. I'm 57 years of age, born on November 11, 1961 and a native born Texan. I first saw Miss Patti in concert at the Paramount Theatre (Austin) in 1996. I finally got to meet her in person at the same theatre in November 2000. I've met her also in Dallas (2001), San Francisco(July 2001: spoke with her briefly as she left in her limousine).. met her backstage in Houston, Texas (November 2003), saw her perform in "Regina" in March 2005 in D.C. and last saw her in her dressing room at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (March 2006) following her performance in "Sweeny." Most recently, I traveled to NYC in May 2007 to see "Avenue Q", "Drowsy Chaperone", "A Chorus Line" and saw the fabulous Angela Lansbury in "Deuce." Both Angela and Marian Seldes were delightful at the stage door. Most recently, I had the wonderful chance to see Miss Patti backstage in Dallas (on January 22, 2008) when she performed her "Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda" show on the SMU campus. She was a "doll." Next stop, NYC.. and "Gypsy" on June 10, 2008. I most recently saw Miss Patti in San Antonio, Texas after her "An Evening With Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin". She is coming to Austin in March 2010. I have my tickets. During my last trip to NYC in June 2010, I saw: "La Cage Aux Folles, "Addams Family" and "Dietrich and Chevalier." In March 2011, I saw "Lombardi", "Priscilla Queen of the Desert", "Wicked" and "Chicago." I can safely say that "Chicago" is now my FAVORITE musical. I just saw Terra McLeod (Velma) and Tracy Shayne (Roxie) in the national tour of "Chicago" in Fort Worth, TX (6 18 2011). Then, I saw "Chicago" once more the following weekend in Houston. Now, "Chicago" is my favorite musical. I saw: "Chicago" on June 8, 2013; "The Nance" on Sat. June 9th and also "Pippin." Finally, I saw "Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike" on Sun. June 10, 2013. I LOVED Pippin. It was so magical!
If you have a chance to see the show before October 13th, then you're in for a treat with Lana Gordon as Velma Kelly. I've seen Charlotte as Roxie, Fastrada and Cassie. This is the first time that I've noticed her getting a fairly long term contract as Roxie (an almost 4 month run).
https://chicagothemusical.com/cast/ Tonya Wathen is back at the Ambassador in the role of Hunyak. She is also one of three Roxie Hart understudies (the other two being Jessica Ernest and Rachel Schur).
I remember some years ago that AFW performed the role of Velma in Japan, in Japanese. I wonder if she still is able to do that. From what I know, the fans in Japan go all out in showering individual cast members with presents galore. I think I saw Denny Paschall perform as Amos one time.
Desi Oakley (Roxie Hart) just concluded her most recent run. She is joining the Waitress Tour in Toronto very soon. ( Waitress is produced by Fran and Barry Weissler)
nasty_khakis said: "My guess is she was asking for too much in negotiations or didn't want to do all eight or something. There is ZERO way she'd be any worse vocally than Nene/Wendy Willams/Sophia Vergarra and others I'm blanking on but know were rough."
Actually, I think Sofia Vergara was good vocally, in this video clip. She certainly was better than I expected. Now, I don't know much about the first two you mentioned. <
