Chicago Tour - is it worth it?- Page 2

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 1:18am

Just got back from Chicago. Sat in the furthest possible row from the stage - last min. tickets. I had an amazing time. It was so tight and everything just fit perfectly. All of the dancing, singing was on. I had an understudy for Madame Morton (Ivy Fox) - she reminded me a lot of Wanda Sykes, which isn't really a good thing because I thought MM should have been a big brassy kind of lady and she was tinier than the two leads, but she had a good voice. Best part of the show, hands down, was Roxie. I don't have my program with me,but I think its like Michelle or something. She was really good. She just captured everything about Roxie. I thought the lack of sets and whatnot worked wonderfully. I liked how ppl would pop out of different places around the band, very cool idea. I also liked how the dancers stayed on the stage on the sides in the chairs. Overall, I can see why this show is still running. Its just a brillant show with great music and dancing. A def. crowd pleaser.

[goingagain]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 1:40am

We went to the matinee today. Had last row of loge 4 seats. At intermission we got moved to FRONT ROW. Having a husband who isnt afraid of asking paid off! Michelle was as good as any Roxy I have seen. I have always loved her as Mona but she can really belt out a tune and dance...and this really showcases her talents. Terra was of course awesome as usual. If we had been able to snag front row for tonights show we would have stayed as well. We spotted Michelle leaving (most would not have recognized her, but we did due to our admiration for her) and I rolled down my window and had to do a "way to go Michelle" to which she looked up, smiled and waved. I am sure it caught her off guard to be called by name but all the same I hope it made her feel good to be recognized. If it comes near me again (2 hour drive today each way) I will definitely be there. This is one show I can never tire of. Go see it and you will NOT be disappointed.

The lack of a set is one thing I love about Chicago. The show stands on its own without any elaborate props and set. I cannot say enough how much I loved it!

[CJR]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 1:42am

Michelle DeJean. She's a BRILLIANT actress. Very talented... and a true sweetheart. She's one of my favorite people, hands down.

Side notes:

Brooke was anything BUT brilliant as Roxie.

Love that press pic of Michelle as Roxie.... God she's fierce. I'm actually meeting a friend who's in the show down in NJ when the tour's in Newark as it opens on my bday. I can't wait to see Michelle as Roxie again. Im sure she's grown leaps and bounds from last March when I saw her as Roxie in the Broadway company.

[goingagain]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 1:55am

CJR, I know you will not be let down. I sat in awe at how wonderful she is. We talked with her a while on the picket line a couple of years ago and she is a real gem. So nice, so friendly and sincere. I would love to find a way to contact her and let her know how much we loved her performance today.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 11:38am

CJR, I'm so excited for the show to come to Newark. Do you know who still will be in the cast? I wouldn't mind seeing Michelle again. What about the other roles?

NJPAC has a $12 student rush, which is pretty awesome.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 3:16pm

yeah, I wonder how the original Chicago was done. Was it done as a normal straightforward type play? or was it does as a vaudville sort of show too? I really liked it. Everything was so dramatic and just perfect. my sister said she liked how the male dancer was smoking in the "Roxie" song, that just shows how detailed this show is and how everything is just perfect.

[CJR]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 6:30pm

The original 75 Chicago was done just as it was billed: A Musical Vaudeville.

I know I wont be let down by Michelle.... she's a phenomenal performer. I just can't wait to see what she's added/changed to her take on the role since she first started.

As far as I know for Newark, it will still be Michelle and Terra. At the very least, I know Terra will still be Velma, as she's the reason I'm hauling my butt to Jersey. I'm not a fan of Jersey lol

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 6:36pm

Is Terra that good of a Velma? Now I really can't wait till Wednesday when the show comes to FL.
The original Chicago production was more flashy with period costumes and very nice dressed up chorus girls. I'm sure someone a bit older might provide you with a better description.

[tthomas76]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 6:42pm

It's wonderful! Go see it, you'll enjoy it!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 6:57pm

I was surprised to see the diversity of people at the performance. its always great when there are teenagers, older folks, middle aged folks, just everyone there. very cool.

[CJR]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 12:24am

Oh definitely go see Terra! She's definitely worth it.

www.terracmacleod.com

[goingagain]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 7:32am

I agree. Terra is awesome. She and Michelle make a great duo and they have the onscreen chemistry that is necessary in this show. If they dont have chemistry, they sure can fake it well! All of the cast seemed to be having so much fun doing the show. Last I saw him on Broadway, PJ Benjamin just seemed to be tired of doing it, going through the motions. I did not see any of that on the tour version. They ALL seemed to be really loving what they do.

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 3:06pm

Ok so I'm bumping a really old thread but I just saw the tour in Wilmington and Michelle Dejean was AMAZING as Roxie. She was the best part of the show. I loved the show as a whole, and it worked amazingly without sets. Obba Babatunde was also really good as Billy.

[LorelaiGilmore]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 3:28pm

It's excellent, I'd post more about it, but i'm not really up to it today, I'll post more later though.