Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread- Page 116
Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
#2875new Velma/Roxie
Posted: 3/31/23 at 12:45pm
There's probably a reason why the show constantly recycles their cast members. Majority of the ensemble has been there for at least since the reopening. Most much longer.
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.
#2876new Velma/Roxie
Posted: 3/31/23 at 4:18pm
Interesting they didn't announce who the new Billy will be unless James T. Lane is extending again?
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.
#2877new Velma/Roxie
Posted: 3/31/23 at 4:42pm
Listener said: "Interesting.
...I'm kind of surprised the show managed to recover from one of it's original cast members, you know, killing himself after being brutally grilled during a rehearsal just because they wanted him to quit so they could save a few bucks.
I really thought the theatre community would have a bigger reaction to that long-term, but I guess audiences don't particularly care."
I mean, there was quite a bit of fallout, with the show involved MD being fired from the show in a very public way. But this all happened pre-COVID - and when Broadway reopened, I’m assuming nobody was actively looking to crusade against and bury a show when the industry was recovering
Check out my eBay page for sales on Playbills!!
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jonartdesigns
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/04
#2878new Velma/Roxie
Posted: 4/1/23 at 11:04am
https://pixhost.to/show/35/344955779_33c483ac-7a4c-42de-b82d-3ea9e450899d.jpg
https://pixhost.to/show/35/344955781_b936399e-44fc-4f5e-a883-23ee3160d89c.jpg
William Ivey Long (whom I adore) seems to REALLY be phoning in new designs for the ensemble. Why change what’s not broken?
"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
#2879new Velma/Roxie
Posted: 4/1/23 at 11:10am
Mary Claire King is Velma for both shows today and tomorrow. Was Bianca scheduled to be out this entire week?
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.
#2880new Velma/Roxie
Posted: 4/1/23 at 10:49pm
Looks like a variation that’s been around since the 90s
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#2881new Velma/Roxie
Posted: 4/2/23 at 9:42pm
jonartdesigns said: "https://pixhost.to/show/35/344955779_33c483ac-7a4c-42de-b82d-3ea9e450899d.jpg
https://pixhost.to/show/35/344955781_b936399e-44fc-4f5e-a883-23ee3160d89c.jpg
William Ivey Long (whom I adore) seems to REALLY be phoning in new designs for the ensemble. Why change what’s not broken?"
WTF?! These photos look like they were taken in 1997 on a flip phone.
#2882new Velma/Roxie
Posted: 4/3/23 at 10:54am
They’re screenshots of an Instagram Story video (which already lowers the quality) with her dancing around and a filter over it.
I am big. It’s the REVIVALS that got small.
alex814
Stand-by Joined: 11/25/18
#2883new Velma/Roxie
Posted: 4/3/23 at 5:28pm
quizking101 said: "I’m assuming nobody was actively looking to crusade against and bury a show when the industry was recovering"
Jagged Little Pill had protestors outside the theater during their reopening night
#2884Eric Bergen as Billy Flynn (April 10 -- June 4, 2023)
Posted: 4/5/23 at 6:51pm
https://broadwaynews.com/2023/04/05/erich-bergen-will-rejoin-chicago-as-billy-flynn/ Eric Bergen will return to the Ambassador as Billy Flynn, beginning April 10th. I noticed that casting is by a newly formed company. I thought that was interesting.
"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: 4/5/23 at 06:51 PM
JSquared2
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/23/17
#2885Eric Bergen as Billy Flynn (April 10 -- June 4, 2023)
Posted: 4/5/23 at 6:56pm
Patti LuPone FANatic said: "https://broadwaynews.com/2023/04/05/erich-bergen-will-rejoin-chicago-as-billy-flynn/ Eric Bergen will return to the Ambassador as Billy Flynn, beginning April 10th. I noticed that casting is by a newly formed company. I thought that was interesting."
https://www.playbill.com/article/duncan-stewart-and-benton-whitley-dissolve-stewart-whitley-casting-agency
#2886Eric Bergen as Billy Flynn (April 10 -- June 4, 2023)
Posted: 4/5/23 at 8:29pm
Bianca won't be returning to finish out her run. Christine Cornish and Mary Claire King will alternate as Velma through Sunday.
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.
#2887Eric Bergen as Billy Flynn (April 10 -- June 4, 2023)
Posted: 4/5/23 at 8:42pm
ACL2006 said: "Bianca won't be returning to finish out her run. Christine Cornish and Mary Claire King will alternate as Velma through Sunday." I'm very surprised to see that happening.
"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)
#2888Eric Bergen as Billy Flynn (April 10 -- June 4, 2023)
Posted: 4/5/23 at 8:56pm
Patti LuPone FANatic said: "ACL2006 said: "Bianca won't be returning to finish out her run. Christine Cornish and Mary Claire King will alternate as Velma through Sunday." I'm very surprised to see that happening.
"
Don't know what happen, but Bianca had a show at 54 Below on Saturday and was fine. Only possible thinking is that she got the "C" word again.
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.
#2889Eric Bergen as Billy Flynn (April 10 -- June 4, 2023)
Posted: 4/6/23 at 1:54am
i always joke with a friend that Fran and Barry get their flip phone out and take the pics
BrodyFosse123 said: "jonartdesigns said: "https://pixhost.to/show/35/344955779_33c483ac-7a4c-42de-b82d-3ea9e450899d.jpg
https://pixhost.to/show/35/344955781_b936399e-44fc-4f5e-a883-23ee3160d89c.jpg
William Ivey Long (whom I adore) seems to REALLY be phoning in new designs for the ensemble. Why change what’s not broken?"
WTF?! These photos look like they were taken in 1997 on a flip phone.
"
#2890Eric Bergen as Billy Flynn (April 10 -- June 4, 2023)
Posted: 4/6/23 at 1:12pm
Even though I don't really know Olivia Holt aside from that Marvel show she did, I'm excited by so many new, and relatively new, faces that I might buy a ticket for next week. In a perfect world, I'd hope for R. Lowe to be on vacation, I don't think I've seen a new Mary Sunshine ever since he started, even thought I've seen the show dozens and dozens of times.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
#2891Eric Bergen as Billy Flynn (April 10 -- June 4, 2023)
Posted: 4/6/23 at 3:14pm
The only other Mary Sunshines recently have been their standbys in Joseph London and Jayke Workman. Workman has gotten called in during vacations for either Lowe or London. He made his Broadway debut when both were out with COVID in Dec. 2021.
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.
#2892New Amos Hart ...Liam Fennecken Begins April 10, 2023
Posted: 4/8/23 at 8:55pm
"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: 4/8/23 at 08:55 PM
#2893New Amos Hart ...Liam Fennecken Begins April 10, 2023
Posted: 4/11/23 at 5:46pm
https://youtu.be/F2W9Fs7loXc Jessica Ernest in "Me and My Baby".
"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)
#2894Congratulations Jessica Ernest!
Posted: 4/13/23 at 10:24pm
She is celebrating her 6th year with the show. Currently playing "Go-to-Hell-Kitty"and a Roxie Hart u/s, it would be interesting if she ever tried to play the role of Velma Kelly. (photo: Broadway.com)
"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: 4/13/23 at 10:24 PM
#2895Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 4/23/23 at 6:37pm
I wonder how long is Kimberly Marable's stay as Velma Kelly. Telecharge doesn't have end dates for her and Eric Bergen.
"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)
Nolan LuPone
Featured Actor Joined: 8/9/21
#2896Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 4/23/23 at 8:55pm
Any word on Marable's performance? I was excited to finally see a fresh face in the role...
#2897Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 4/26/23 at 5:35pm
Angel Reda has replaced Jessica Ernest for "a few weeks" as Go-To-Hell Kitty. Dani Spieler has replaced Jennifer Dunne as a swing.
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.
#2898Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 4/28/23 at 1:11am
When I woke up this morning and read the news I was sad to see Jerry Springer had died.
Jerry was Billy in London, Broadway and two tour stops.
i really liked his Billy. He couldn’t really sing or dance but you could tell the joy he was having. I saw him opposite Terra as Velma and Bianca (with a long high ponytail Roxie hair which was fun) as Roxie.
sparklingtonic2
Chorus Member Joined: 10/2/22
#2899Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 5/1/23 at 11:39pm
Nolan LuPone said: "Any word on Marable's performance? I was excited to finally see a fresh face in the role..."
I saw her during her first week. I also caught Bianca's last performance that previous Sunday, so that was fresh in my mind for comparison. For context, I hadn't previously seen "Chicago" (these two viewings were my first -- not counting the movie), and I didn't know much about either of these performers.
Anyway, to answer your question, I liked Marable. Her vocals in particular were amazing! She opened the show with a lot of power. (In fact, I kind of wished that she'd had more powerhouse songs to sing.) I thought her dancing was fine, though to my novice eyes not quite at the level of Marroquin's. In terms of comedy, I would say that I probably enjoyed Bianca's comic timing a bit more than Marable's. However, Marable was also funny, and her chemistry with Olivia Holt was good.
My husband and I went back and forth over which overall cast we thought was better. (On those two nights, we also had different Amoses, Billys, Mamas, and of course Roxies.) But it was hard to chose. Both casts were good in different ways. We were glad we saw it twice because it was fun seeing different interpretations.
