Bianca Marroquin flew to Durham NC as a last minute replacement for an ill Christie Brinkley. Bianca received glowing reviews from the Raleigh Telegram. Wow, talk about last minute! According to the article, Bianca arrived at the theatre and had very little, if any, time to practice with the tour cast. Talk about being a consummate professional! Bravo Bianca! from RC in Austin, Texas Bianca Marroquin in Chicago 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)
The two "Roxie" understudies are Melissa Rae Mahon and Dylis Croman Minter. Maybe they are taking turns as "Roxie", during Bianca Marroquin's absence? from RC in Austin, Texas
"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)
Well, there's Leigh Zimmerman. She's an experienced "Velma", in terms of number of years being associated with the show. Leigh was the original "Go To Hell Kitty" in the 1996 revival. from RC in Austin, Texas
"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)
Melissa Rae Mahon (one of two "Roxie" understudies).
"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)
Dylis Croman Minter (one of the two "Roxie" understudies). That's Michael Cusumano on the left and Ryan Worsing (no longer with the show) on the right.
"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)
Even on tour, I guess the producers decided to work with an experienced and familiar "Roxie" like Bianca Marroquin. There are quite a few videos of her on that YouTube. from RC in Austin, TX. Clap Yo: How is the news of the closing of the West End "Chicago" being taken among theatre fans? Just wondering..
"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)
She first joined the Broadway company in 2002 doing the show for a week or two. Then returned to Broadway December 15-30th 2003, playing opposite Reva Rice and Patrick Swayze.
Patti LuPone FANatic, it is being met with some sadness. It's the first time in ten years that a long-running show has closed; the last time was in the first half of 2002: Starlight Express, Buddy AND Cats all closed after running 17, 12 and 21 years respectively. However, a lot of people also appreciate that it's probably the right time for Chicago to close, as it has been associated with tired production and stunt casting in recent years and a new show deserves to be given a chance at the Garrick Theatre (Chicago's third West End home after the Adelphi Theatre - currently home to Sweeney Todd - and the Cambridge Theatre - currently home to Matilda). Chicago continues to tour in the UK and may even be welcomed back to the West End soon.
Before making her Broadway debut in 2002, Bianca had starred as Roxie in the Mexican production of Chicago. So she's been associated with it even longer! Some have expressed frustration over the same faces returning to the show frequently. And while I think it's a long time that Bianca and Charlotte have been doing the show, it doesn't frustrate me and don't mind seeing great performers in roles they excel in.
I first saw Charlotte as Roxie in one of the first national tours waaaaaay back in 1997 and haven't seen her again since but wouldn't mind as she was one of the best Roxys I've seen. I've never had a chance to see Bianca in it, but would love to.
Recreation of original John Cameron orchestration to "On My Own" by yours truly. Click player below to hear.
Luckily for us, there are a "few" videos of Bianca in her role as "Roxie". I like her rendition of "Both Reached For The Gun" and "Me and My Baby". Both are available on a certain video channel. from Roman in Austin, Texas
"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)
Clap: It still mystifies me that the West End does not have its own version of Weekly Grosses. Here, we look forward to Monday afternoons, when the weekly list is released. Each of us has our favorite show(s) to root for (mine being "Chicago"). Others are following how new shows are doing on Broadway. We like to know if a show is very successful, doing moderate business or is a particular show is doing poorly. Some like to root for the underdog and support a struggling show. By having the weekly grosses published on a weekly basis, we know exactly how a show is doing and not having any surprises. I'm wondering how are fans in the West End supposed to know how a specific show is doing...except thru word of mouth? Just thinking out loud. RC in Austin, Texas
"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)
But those of us that follow those stats make a pretty small group -- and our knowledge of it makes NO difference to anything except what we talk about.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Happy for her, but can someone explain how Wikipedia describes her thus:
"Bianca Marroquin (born on January 15, 1975) is a Mexican musical theatre and television actress known as the first Latina to play in a starring role on Broadway and one of the youngest actresses to play Roxie Hart in a Broadway production of Chicago."
The first Latina to play in a starring role on Broadway?!?! HARDLY!
I'm guessing that they're referring to being the first Latina from a Latin American country to have a leading role on Broadway. Whether that's actually accurate, I don't know. from RC in Austin, TExas
"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)
I don't consider it a waste of money to fly Bianca to NC for a week. She has a degree of name recognition that the tour understudies do not have (talented as they probably are). I imagine that the audiences who will see Bianca onstage in Durham will be thrilled! For those of us lucky enough to have seen her as "Roxie" onstage, she is tremendous! from RC in Austin, Texas
"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)
Per Telecharge, Bianca Marroquin will extend her stay in "Chicago" until September 2nd. She was a trooper to have gone to Durham at the last minute. I hope Terra C gets an extension of current stint. She's amazing! from RC in Austin, Texas
"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)
I absolutely agree with you Theatre "Nuez". : )from RC in Austin, Texas
"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)