Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread

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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1401
Posted: 3/27/18 at 10:17pm

http://www.playbill.com/personlistpage/person-list?production=00000150-aea2-d936-a7fd-eef6db350002&type=cp#cc   I find it interesting that Donna Marie Asbury and Angel Reda are both understudying the roles of Velma Kelly and Matron Mama Morton.  

"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)
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1402
Posted: 4/9/18 at 8:25pm

According to her Instagram page, Lana Gordon is Velma Kelly for an unknown number of shows.  I don't have any further details.  

"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)
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1403
Posted: 4/9/18 at 8:41pm
How is Valerie Simpson In the Role?
Just give the world Love.
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1404
Posted: 4/9/18 at 11:55pm

It is kind of strange that the show hasn't released a snippet of video of Valerie Simpson as Mama or the current Billy Flynn (the name escapes me). 

"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)
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1405
Posted: 4/10/18 at 3:46am
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RWxFCqtF6Qw

Perfection.
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1406
Posted: 4/10/18 at 9:02am
I am a huge Ashford & Simpson fan. I have seen CHICAGO twice but would go back for her.
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ArtMan
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1407
Posted: 4/10/18 at 9:15am

Uncageg, Two Christmas ago, Valerie toured with the Dave Koz Christmas show.  I specifically went to the show for her.  She was a little older, little heavier, but that great voice is still there.  When she sang Solid, it brought back the memory for me when I saw Ashford & Simpson,front row,  at the height of the Solid album.  During one song, at the insistence of Nick, Valerie pulled me up to come onto the stage and dance with her.  I was hesitant, but I ended up dancing with her on stage.  My crazy youth!

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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1408
Posted: 4/10/18 at 9:48am
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 will be starting up in Somerville, NJ on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City, MO(May 29-Jun 3) and is now then touring throughout Japan August & September 2018. Japan schedule: Tokyo(Aug 15-21), Kanagawa(Aug 28-29), Shizuoka(Aug 30), Osaka(Aug 31 - Sept 2).
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1409
Posted: 4/10/18 at 10:11pm

Saw the show over the weekend, another repeat visit. Amra sounded great and was really into landing the comedy, but she must've been either sick or injured, because she was doing some Melanie Griffith-level walking through the dances. That was disappointing. But hearing Lana is in this week, hopefully it was to give Amra time to recuperate...Bianca has now taken on the Charlotte D'Amboise mantle of going nuts with Roxie, but much like Charlotte, she's able to find new levels in the character that makes every repeat visit to the show seem totally fresh...Chaz Lamar Shepherd is an excellent addition, singing was flawless and landing most of the jokes, while giving the role an edge that felt great against Roxie...Valerie Simpson was very good, while she couldn't hold her notes for a long time, what she did sing had a lot of strength behind it. And she did well with her scenes...Evan Harrington was great as Amos...and the ensemble is currently a nice mix of newcomers and longtime cast after a number of vets departing, had a nice freshness to it that was very welcome. So in all, still very enjoyable.



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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1410
Posted: 4/10/18 at 10:29pm

Ruthie sounds marvelous as Mama Morton.  I'd love to see her do it on Broadway.  Cuba Gooding Jr. is o.k.  Yes, his voice is kind of raspy.  Is it because he might have been sick or that is just the way he speaks?  

"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)
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1411
Posted: 4/10/18 at 11:20pm
Thank you everythingtaboo. I may need to go in and see her. She is a legend and R&B Goddess in my world. I fully expect her not to be able to hold notes long. Her voice has weakened over the years but still want to see her live.

ArtMan, I am jealous! I never got to see them live.
Just give the world Love.
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1412
Posted: 4/12/18 at 2:39am

We agree. I guess. Why wouldn’t Ruthie sound marvelous? Her mama vocals aren’t new. She recorded that song on one of her albums. 

*disclaimer Ruthie is my fav in anything* 

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Ruthie sounds marvelous as Mama Morton. I'd love to see her do it on Broadway. Cuba Gooding Jr. is o.k. Yes, his voice is kind of raspy. Is it because he might have been sick or that is just the way he speaks? "

 

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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1413
Posted: 4/15/18 at 4:44am
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sAg77pDEuLE
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1414
Posted: 4/17/18 at 6:13pm

This is awesome!  I did see her in "The Nance",  but never in a  musical role.  Cady Huffman will make a fantastic Mama Morton!!   https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Cady-Huffman-Will-Join-the-Cast-of-CHICAGO-20180417

"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)
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1415
Posted: 4/17/18 at 6:23pm

Some noteworthy ensemble members leaving. Peter Nelson left on April 1 and has been replaced by Drew Nellessen. Sam Lips will leaving shortly for THE CHER SHOW. James T. Lane will be leaving sometime in the summer as he'll be apart of KING KONG(via his Facebook page).

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 will be starting up in Somerville, NJ on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City, MO(May 29-Jun 3) and is now then touring throughout Japan August & September 2018. Japan schedule: Tokyo(Aug 15-21), Kanagawa(Aug 28-29), Shizuoka(Aug 30), Osaka(Aug 31 - Sept 2).
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1416
Posted: 4/19/18 at 5:00pm

https://www.telecharge.com/Broadway/Chicago/Overview   It's worth noting that Charlotte D'Amboise is returning as Roxie Hart from April 23 --- July 1, 2018.  

"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)
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1417
Posted: 4/19/18 at 6:35pm
I guess my comments get deleted now cause what they offend ms stick up her butt pattifan?

Charlotte misses often. Sorry for posting a fact and another fact that it sucks Robyn isn’t still there to fill in cause she’s amazing in everything.
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1418
Posted: 5/6/18 at 10:43pm

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPg7Z3lWfgI6q18kGCb972J5wCNb_udAmATEnYhqBM2IrSxGVCzYZ0dvMAaYPHccw?key=LVV4Sm9UUy1yeXJ3R2tqbXNhUkFIbWhtOEFPQTd3   I had to use Google Photos to create this album link.  

Photobucket, I think, is blocking my use of Tinypic for individual pics.   I had a great time seeing the show.  The afternoon matinee 

was sparsely attended and the crowd was blah.  The evening show had much better attendance, plus the audience was finally alive.

"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)
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1419
Posted: 5/7/18 at 6:54am

The auditorium/theatre itself is the former San Angelo City Hall.  It's nice enough...kind of plain, but o.k.  They had a policy of reserving the entire front row for wheelchaired patrons and their companions.  They have a large senior population.  The cast is on to Miami, where Jaime Camil will be Billy Flynn, with Bianca Marroquin as Roxie.  On a different note, I must say that I admire the vast majority of the people in this thread...except for one.  He's very smart and knows all about the show.  He works with the show in some capacity. He can be insulting at times.   I'm not about to deal with him anymore.  

"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)
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1420
Posted: 5/21/18 at 6:51pm

FYI, Sam Lips & James T. Lane have both left the show. Not sure who is replacing them.

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 will be starting up in Somerville, NJ on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City, MO(May 29-Jun 3) and is now then touring throughout Japan August & September 2018. Japan schedule: Tokyo(Aug 15-21), Kanagawa(Aug 28-29), Shizuoka(Aug 30), Osaka(Aug 31 - Sept 2).
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1421
Posted: 5/21/18 at 6:56pm

I just caught the tour Saturday.  Although the cast  was talented and from what I could tell from my seat, the guys hunky,  I found my mind at times, wandering on other things.  Not  concentrating on the show.  Not the reaction I wanted.

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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1422
Posted: 5/21/18 at 7:10pm

Does anyone know if Charlotte has any scheduled days off? Thanks!

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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1423
Posted: 5/21/18 at 7:11pm

ACL2006 said: "FYI, Sam Lips & James T. Lane have both left the show. Not sure who is replacing them."

It would be great if we knew why they replaced their website with just a landing page that just goes straight to Telecharge or the London ticketing site? It drives me up the wall that they don't show the cast bios, or tour info, or anything really. 



"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1424
Posted: 5/25/18 at 6:38pm

Several cast members of the "Chicago" Cellblock National Tour will perform in NYC for a special cause.  Check out the details.   https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/10274774

"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)
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1425
Posted: 6/3/18 at 8:50am

https://www.facebook.com/chicagothemusical/videos/10160604297605158/     Cady Huffman performing her signature song as Matron Mama Morton.  

"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)