Chicago Tour In San Francisco Review

[Deannaizme]

Posted: 8/8/03 at 11:53am

The San Francisco Chronicle reviewed the current tour of Chicago in this morning's newspaper. It's a pretty good review, really, especially for Ann Reinking's choreography. Everyone else, except Kevin Richardson, should also be happy with this review.

I am ... I'm going Sunday night.
Brilliance in S.F.? That's 'Chicago'!

[AlienOnBroadway]

Posted: 8/8/03 at 1:45pm

Thanks for the link. That's interesting.
My friend went on the 6th and said that the dancers actually tripped all over each other in Cellblock Tango. I think she said 3 of them ended up flat on the floor!
And that the Roxie was off-key in the higher register.
She was quite impressed with Kevin's performance.

Have fun Sunday night! Come back and tell us what you thought about it!

[CJR]

Posted: 8/8/03 at 4:43pm

Honestly, Bianca Marroquin (the tour Roxie) is one of the most talented singers I have ever heard. She's most definitely a soprano, hence the fact that the songs were taken into a higher key for her.

I adored Kevin when he was on Broadway. He was incredibly surprising as Billy, and I'm a little ticked I won't get to see him on tour. He's only on for the San Fran stop and then he goes to London, so by the time the tour comes back towards me, Gregory Harrison will be Billy again. I saw him on Broadway as well, and liked him quite a bit... but have liked other Billys MUCH more. Ah well, I can't have everything

As for the CBT girls tripping over each other, remember that ech venue has a different size stage and it might take a performance or two (even after rehearsals) to get accustomed to the size and blocking. The first few performances at the Ambassador there were problems of the same sort during a few numbers, as the Ambassador stage is smaller than the Shubert Stage. Now, you wouldn't even know there was ever problem.

CJR

[Deannaizme]

Posted: 8/8/03 at 5:00pm

Alien,

I'll let you know for sure what I think. I've been looking forward to this show for awhile.

Evidently, the reviewers didn't see a problem with either Bianca's voice or the dancing. It was as rave a review as the Chronicle will usually give these days (Urinetown got the "Wild Applause" rating) and I can't wait for Sunday night!

CJR ... just get on a plane and come on out to San Francisco! You can see Kevin on the tour out here.

~D

[AlienOnBroadway]

Posted: 8/8/03 at 5:26pm

I guess I should qualify my statements by saying that my friend is not an avid theatre-goer. I realize she is probably not the keenest eye and ear when it comes to reviewing.
SO I will be anxious to hear what others who have more experience with the show and theatre in general think.

I also saw Kevin on Broadway and thought he was great! I have not seen anyone else in the role, so I can't really compare him to others. I will say that he was more comfortable in the role the second time I saw him, later on in his run. I feel like he is someone who needs a performance or 2 to get his "stage legs."
He has a really rich voice so I was really pleased to hear him showing it off. "Both Reached for the Gun" was clearly his best number in the show from where I was sitting.

I also found the following reviews if you are interested:

http://www.examiner.com/arts/default.jsp?story=080803a_chicago
http://www.timesstar.com/Stories/0,1413,125%257E1549%257E1559155,00.html

Can't wait to hear what you think!

[Deannaizme]

Posted: 8/11/03 at 1:19pm

My cousin and I went to see Chicago last night. It was a fantastic evening; we were very pleased with the show. Both of us found Bianca's Roxie wonderfully full of herself. Her singing was good, and we were very impressed by her grace when she was dancing. Brenda's Velma was great as well. In fact, we thought the entire cast just did a fantastic job. And the choreography and dancing were top-notch.

As you can see, I'm no reviewer. But I did have a great time at this show and wish I could go again.

~D