Mel B joining 'Chicago'

[Whateverjsays]

Spice Girl Mel B was just announced to join Chicago for 8 weeks starting in December, role will be announced soon....

[ljay889]

How weird they're not announcing the role.....she'd probably be quite a good Velma. 

[little_sally]

This is a fun bit of casting. She would be a great Velma.

[neonlightsxo]

How can they not know what role? Or if they do know, why not tell us? Bizarre.

[nasty_khakis]

It might be them trying to avoid what happened to Mya happen again. On paper she's a great Velma, but maybe they'll get into rehearsals and she can't quite dance it or hit the notes or heck, maybe just like Roxy better? 

[Mister Matt]

For 8 weeks only?  I'm thinking Mama Morton.  I just hope she's better than she was in Rent.

[ACL2006]

I'd guess and say she'll be Roxie. I don't think she's a strong enough dancer to pull off Velma.

[neonlightsxo]

nasty_khakis said: "It might be them trying to avoid what happened to Mya happen again. On paper she's a great Velma, but maybe they'll get into rehearsals and she can't quite dance it or hit the notes or heck, maybe just like Roxy better? "

 

Good point, I totally forgot about that.

[ACL2006]

Mya cancelled her run due to an ankle injury that occurred during rehearsals.

[nasty_khakis]

ACL2006 said: "Mya cancelled her run due to an ankle injury that occurred during rehearsals."

Yup, that was the story they told the press. That and Christian Hoff's foot. :)

[trpguyy]

... and Kyle Selig's vocal rest, Sandy Duncan's family emergency... NAMCO's going to run out excuses sooner or later.  

[neonlightsxo]

...and Craig Bierko's shoulder injury...

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I see her as a Velma.  Although I think she would do well as Mama, the current Matron is contracted till Jan. 15th.  It's strange that her role hasn't been announced.  

[Mildred Plotka]

Isn't Jenna Elfman still rehearsing for the Nine revival?

[Patash]

I'm thinking Mama Morton, but stranger casting has gone on there than her as either Velma or Roxy.

 

[Mildred Plotka]

My money is on Mary Sunshine. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Spice-Girls-Star-Mel-B-to-Do-the-Cell-Block-Tango-in-Broadways-CHICAGO-20161102

I mean, "doing the Cell Block Tango" would suggest Velma, right?

[Pippin]

"Yup, that was the story they told the press. That and Christian Hoff's foot. :)"

and Jeremy Piven's "Mercury poisoning" shenanigans. 

[Mildred Plotka]

I don't think BroadwayWorld puts that much thought in their headlines. 

[neonlightsxo]

BWW headlines aren't exactly known for their accuracy. That headline didn't come from the press rep.

http://theatermania.com/broadway/news/mel-b-scary-spice-broadway-chicago_79005.html?cid=homepage_news

[SweetLips]

Mama Morton is the only part she is now capable of playing-BUT, she has lost a lot of weight lately [so maybe?] and she WAS Scary Spice.

[Phillytheatreguy10]

I'm thinking she's a busy gal, kids, filming appearances, etc. It may be that she was able to commit to the time period, but unable to gauge her time to prep and they're still working out details.  However, it is an odd announcement- not sure she's a huge draw that will create a rush to the Box Office.  My thought is Mama Morton on this one!

[sing_dance_love]

As far as Mya, I remember when she was rehearsing, I think there was a Broadway.com video blog or something and it really seemed like she was going to be great. She's an exceptional trained dancer, as many remember from DWTS and tapping in her music videos and I remember how surprisingly good she sounded during those rehearsals. I really hope it was the injury that kept her out, I was really looking forward to a star replacement finally being Velma. 

Was there really anything concrete about her just not working out in rehearsal?

Anyway, excited to see what happens with Mel!

[neonlightsxo]

"I'm thinking she's a busy gal, kids, filming appearances, etc."

She is?

[BroadwayConcierge]

https://www.telecharge.com/Broadway/Chicago/Overview

The overview page says NaTasha Williams is Mama Morton "thru 1/15," though I guess that could be wrong. Why they wouldn't announce Mel's role with this excuse of a press release is beyond me.