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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread |
If you're a fan of "Chicago" and love Donna Marie Asbury, she will play Velma Kelly on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18th. Those are probably the last times you'll catch her in that role, before she leaves the show on June 3, 2019. I wish I could be there!
Damn, I really hope there's another last-minute chance to see her as Velma, I'm out of town next weekend.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
Phantom4ever said: "I saw the national tour of Chicago tonight, in Chicago! I have seen the Broadway production 29 times, so it was fun to compare and contrast the two productions.
The audience LOVED the show. So much cheering---dare I say MUCH more cheering than the last time I saw Chicago's Hamilton. However, there were some major sound issues. I would say that about 90% of Billy Flynn's lines were not heard, partly because of Eddie George's mumbling and partly because of the poor sound system. At first I thought maybe it was some weird directorial decision for the tour to have the chorus whisper, but then I realized as the show went on that the sound was not amped up enough for the cavernous Cadillac Palace. Quiet mics, no projected voices and a faulty sound design made quiet a few lines get lost.
Eddie George was fun to watch because I could tell he absolutely loved being on that stage. Especially during Reached for the Gun. Dylis Croman----my my my WHY is this woman not the permanent Velma on Broadway? She is so talented!!
Some tech differences: no elevator for Roxie at the top of the show; she simply walks up the stairs upstage. The stage right ladder swung on a hinge, but the stage left ladder was rolled out and rolled back. Weird, right? For the courtroom scene, the light rig did not fly in and was instead just a light panel underneath the "jury box" set. Razzle Dazzle was about 90% new choreographywith lots of acrobatic tricks that looked unique to the specific actor's talents. The song did not even start with a chorus boy gliding across the stage on his back to give Billy a baton. Instead, he was on the stage left ladder riding it like a bicycle--very strange but somehow effective. The orchestra was good but definitely not as polished as Broadway's. And yikes the precision during All That Jazz was not there; Velma was always a beat ahead of the chorus and several chorus members were definitely frustrated by it by the looks on their faces. Paul Vogt gave the longest Broadway Cares speech I've ever heard. Not that I'm complaining---it's a worthy cause, but the length of the speech did make quite a few people decide to get up and leave. All in all, a great show and I wish it were in town for more than a week!!!"
I onced asked Dylis Croman if she'd ever want to play Velma Kelly. She said she would love to.
This is some classic footage that I have never seen. From the original production of "Chicago". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHpd1KxvnF8
I read in Naomi C Walley's (Chicago Velma Kelly u/s and Mama Morton u/s) Instagram that she's winding up her run in the show. Who will be coming in as the new Velma Kelly u/s? ACL..?
Patti LuPone FANatic said: "I read in Naomi C Walley's (Chicago Velma Kelly u/s and Mama Morton u/s) Instagram that she's winding up her run in the show. Who will be coming in as the new Velma Kelly u/s? ACL..?"
No clue, but it looks like by June we'll have two new Velma u/s with Donna leaving, too.
In an interview, DMA mentioned a new cast member who was 23 years of age. I'm thinking maybe she was referring to the new Billy Flynn understudy, Gary Cooper. Chicago has seen some significant cast changes within the past year. I think the newly hired cast members will benefit the show.
- Pilar Millhollen
- as Velma Kelly (Understudy)
as Matron "Mama" Morton (Understudy) I think this veteran "Chicago" cast member is one of the new Velma understudies.
Patti LuPone FANatic said: "
- Pilar Millhollen
- as Velma Kelly (Understudy)
as Matron "Mama" Morton (Understudy) I think this veteran "Chicago" cast member is one of the new Velma understudies.
"
Pilar has replaced Naomi C. Walley. Don't know if it's just temporary or a long time stint. Pilar has been in and out of the show for about 6 months now as a vacation cover.
Donna Marie Asbury interview by WNYC. https://www.wnyc.org/story/donna-marie-asburys-20-years-chicago-musical/?fbclid=IwAR3oCdSd4jQE4PzNjqyGDTbFbtfwC9_kTZXvVvvM3VWx7AsvFhi8OAMFR_A
This is the first time I've seen this video. I certainly wasn't aware of Chicago when it opened in Nov. 1996. The interviewer is Steve Kmetko. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HM0GR-xyVI
Yes, AFW is in it until her current run ends on July 14th. Either Lana Gordon or Terra C will take over the role. Honestly, there are not that many Velma Kelly replacements.
I agree- granted every time I have seen her, I can't say she wasn't impressive. However, the notion that this is a role that others can't play well is just dumb. Get some new blood in there, I've gone to see some of the stunt casting and every time Amra was the co-star. In that instance it's just not exciting to see her over and over again. The role isn't Christine, Evita, or even Elphaba, it just seems lazy on the part of casting and/or producers. I don't even need it to be a name, I just want someone new at some point. I was hoping this would happen with the recent shake-ups that have been happening with the production, but alas, more of the same.
Maybe Naomi C Walley will return to the cast, once she finishes filming her part in the In The Heights film?
It's me again said: "I saw Amra in London in 2010, that's the only time I saw her. I thought she danced well, sang competently but wasn't much of an actress. I appreciate Velma is a physically demanding role and there probably aren't that many who could do it, but I just don't think Amra is Velma. She has been doing this role for a LONG time and it's just so boring for the audience not to see another performer try this role. I would also love to see a new production of this show. The all black staging and costumes are way past their sell by date, Kander, Ebb and Fosse deserve something better."
'I'll just comment on the last parts of your reply. The all black staging and costumes are an integral part of the show. It's part of the show's continued success. It's classic, simple and effective. "Chicago" has lasted more than 22 years for these and other reasons. The show's original creators would be (are) proud of the continued success of the revival. Other shows have come and gone. "Chicago" continues and will continue to flourish here in the U.S. and around the world.
At the last minute, Donna Marie Asbury is on tonight as Velma Kelly. Her last day with the show is tomorrow, June 3, 2019.
https://chicagothemusical.com/cast/ Mary Claire King is listed as the new(est) Velma Kelly understudy. According to Playbill Vault, she will also play the character of Liz. June 3, 2019 is listed as her first day.
I think Donna's last day was yesterday. Can't imagine she'd end her run on a Monday.
Her last day is today. She mentioned it some time ago on social media. Yesterday was her last time as Velma Kelly (a last minute occurrence). Actually today is a special day in Chicago history. On this date in 1975, Chicago opened with Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera.





joined:9/17/07
joined:
9/17/07
Posted: 5/10/19 at 12:45am