Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread

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everythingtaboo
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1676
Posted: 6/4/19 at 7:03pm

So upset I wasn't able to catch her last Velma, I'd never seen her do it before and had a feeling it might happen but I was just getting home from the airport that night. 



"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#1677
Posted: 6/4/19 at 9:54pm

yeah, there was no possible way I could've made it in on Sunday or last night to see her.

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.
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1678
Posted: 6/6/19 at 2:51pm

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
with fellow Texan Dylis Croman (Roxie Hart) and Lana Gordon (Velma Kelly) outside the "Chicago" stage door at the Jesse Jones Theatre in Houston, Texas.  It was the 25th time I had seen the show (12 on Broadway, 13 on tour).
 

"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: 6/6/19 at 02:51 PM
hveasey
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1679
Posted: 6/10/19 at 7:42pm

Did anyone see Desi Oakley as Roxie in her first two-week run in May? She's back next week and I'm curious how she is in the role.

Updated On: 6/10/19 at 07:42 PM
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1680
Posted: 6/18/19 at 4:04pm
When is AFW retiring?
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1681
Posted: 6/21/19 at 8:54pm

two random questions,

1.) When did the show start doing short contracts for the leads?  Besides AFW and R. Lowe, the leads usually leave after 3-4 months.  

2.) When did the show start stunt casting?  I think it started around the same time the movie came out, but I can be wrong.   The show still stunt cast, but it doesn't' seem as much as they did about 10 years ago.

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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1682
Posted: 6/22/19 at 8:22pm

Rachel Schur is on for Matron Mama Morton tonite  (per her Instagram page).

"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#1683
Posted: 6/27/19 at 10:03am

This is another opportunity to see Donna Marie Asbury perform.  Her previous 54 Below concert was a sold-out success.  https://www.broadwayworld.com/cabaret/article/AT-THIS-PERFORMANCE-Returns-To-The-Green-Room-July-1st-20190626?fbclid=IwAR0lWiYX1el5mzQg5C4dnnlgCfBT9nJWKBnEXxpuOXJWJiwySm5ozGIN0nA

"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#1684
Posted: 6/30/19 at 4:48pm
"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#1685
Posted: 7/1/19 at 6:07pm

Saw the show last Friday. Yikes, what a mess! Most of the cast looked bored as hell, starting with Amra Faye Wright, who makes it more than obvious she's been doing the show for almost 20 years. Desi Oakley has little to no stage presence, and while her vocals her fine, I kept forgetting her character existed. The Billy, Mama, and Amos were great but couldn't save the show. They need to clean out most of the cast and just close this already. 

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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1686
Posted: 7/1/19 at 6:42pm

At least AFW is leaving shortly to do the US tour in Asia. Curious who'll play Velma this summer? As for the ensemble, some are fairly new to the show, so it's sad to hear they look bored already.

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.
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1687
Posted: 7/1/19 at 6:58pm

When AFW leaves on July 14, I think Lana Gordon will step into the role of Velma.  Terra C is busy at the moment, playing "Tanya" in the Bucks County Playhouse production of "Mamma Mia" (until Aug. 3).  There have been celebrity Velmas in the past.  It has been quite a while that the Broadway "Chicago" has found a celebrity who would able to take on such a demanding role.  It's incredible that very few ladies are available at any period of time to play Velma.    The show is putting an effort to cast new players.  Gary Cooper is a new Billy Flynn u/s.  I'm not sure if he's had an opportunity to play the role.  I've heard wonderful things (online) about Desi Oakley.  Ryan Silverman is the current Billy Flynn (whose current contract runs till July 14).  Now, there are plenty of potential Billy Flynns out there.  

"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#1688
Posted: 7/1/19 at 7:31pm

I do hope we have a new Velma for the summer, oftentimes those end dates get pushed back - oftentimes with AFW. Hoping to head back to the show mid-July to check-in with so many new faces. 



"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#1689
Posted: 7/1/19 at 10:13pm

Littleshopofcarrie said: "Saw the show last Friday. Yikes, what a mess! Most of the cast looked bored as hell, starting with Amra Faye Wright, who makes itmore than obvious she's been doing the show for almost 20 years.Desi Oakley has little to no stage presence, and while her vocals her fine, I kept forgetting her character existed. The Billy, Mama, and Amos were great but couldn't save the show. They need to clean out most of the cast and just close this already."

Chicago could benefit from overhauling the cast and bringing in new faces. I saw the show 10 years ago with AFW as Velma. The ensemble was visibly bored and phoning it in. I was relieved when it was finally over. It’s sad that this is still is still the case.

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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1690
Posted: 7/2/19 at 2:37pm

Did anyone see Yonekura last night? 

I'd love to catch her. I've lived in Japan on and off so I'm familiar with her work and this might be the excuse that will finally get me to see this production. 

Anyone have any idea what the rush situation might be like? Any chance they'll sell SRO even if they aren't "sold out"? The stage door looked pretty crowded. 

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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1691
Posted: 7/2/19 at 7:49pm
Spending my fourth seeing Terra in “Mamma Mia!”. It’ll be fun not seeing her as Velma
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1692
Posted: 7/2/19 at 7:59pm
Their rush is relatively easy. Probably very easy to win if you're going to try this weekend. Doubt they sell SRO this weekend. July 4th weekend is typically quiet in NYC.
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.
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1693
Posted: 7/3/19 at 7:26pm
You can usually get rush after the box office opening.
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1694
Posted: 7/3/19 at 7:26pm
You can usually get rush after the box office opening.
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1695
Posted: 7/3/19 at 7:26pm
You can usually get rush after the box office opening.
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1696
Posted: 7/9/19 at 12:43pm

Dylis Croman will be Roxie Hart at the Ambassador Theatre from July 29th --- August 18th.  She is FAbulous!

"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#1697
Posted: 7/9/19 at 12:53pm
"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#1698
Posted: 7/9/19 at 12:56pm
Who's playing Roxie from July 15 - 28 until Dylis arrives?
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.
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Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1699
Posted: 7/9/19 at 1:00pm

Desi Oakley returns as Roxie on July15th.  

"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#1700
Posted: 7/9/19 at 1:02pm

Ryoko Yonekura is the current Roxie until July 14th.

"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)