Just got back from CHICAGO (and bumped into Tim Rice backstage!).
Still a brilliant show - it's no secret that Kander and Ebb are geniuses in my book, and since this is the only staging I've seen, I do love it. I first saw this production in '97 or '98 and this was my second visit.
I was impressed with Brooke Shields - she works her tail off and though she's not a technically proficient dancer, she sure as hell has all the other physicalities down and that's a huge part of Roxie. And her voice is actually quite pleasant.
Having seen Ziemba and Neuwirth, my standard for the dancing of this show is obviously very high, and Luba and Brooke just don't cut it there. Luba has a nice voice, and is an adequate dancer.
Debra Monk did not disappoint as Mama - she looks fabulous in her red wig, is funny and earthy and she was fantastic with the BC/EFA curtain speech. It seemed completely improv-ed (and I'm very skeptical of that sort of thing, so if I thought it was, it must have been quite well done!...) but she told me they had written it. Debra asking Brooke if she had a loincloth from the Blue Lagoon that they could auction was pretty priceless. Debra doesn't get much of a chance to show off her voice, Mama isn't exactly a range-y role vocally, but at least during Class she gets to show off some head voice, and it was quite lovely.
Clark Benjamin is a good actor, but vocally, not quite so impressive. The voice is deep, yes, but not technically strong.
The ensemble is sheer perfection.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
Any idea if they're going to record a new cast recording with Brooke? I thought that was a standard in her contract..
I'd love to see Debra Monk do this, but I can't, so thx for the review Rath!
If you really want to help the American theater, don't be an actress, dahling. Be an audience.....
Don't be taken in by the guff that critics are killing the theater. Commonly they sin on the side of enthusiasm. Too often they give their blessing to trash...
Tallulah Bankhead
Let's also not forget how sexy she was in STEEL PIER too. I've said it once and I'll say it again, she was the only good thing about that show in my book!
"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds."
~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns
Rath -- Deb is ALWAYS a joy to see. I really should go back while she's in, even though I've seen Chicago 3 times. Did you get a chance to see her in "Oil City Symphony" back in the late 80's? If not, it was SUCH a treat to see her playing the drums in a prom gown with 1 pump and 1 sneaker to play the bass drum. The fact that she was co-author of that musical truly shows you what a Quintuple threat this woman is.
Because of my involvement with the "Oil City" crew, I've spoken to her several times and been to a party that she was attending. I even spoke to her on the phone when I was doing "Radio Gals" in NC and she's SUCH an angel. After she got her Tony for "Redwood Curtain," I saw her on the subway and I congratulated her.
She is very nice. I left her a note yesterday afternoon when I picked up my ticket saying that I was coming and that I was so and so's friend, and left my phone #, not knowing if anything would come of it, and at 5:30 she phoned and asked me to come backstage after the performance.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
I do think she is terrific and I do know her NYC VO agent very well. However.. se probaly wont be in the show anymore when I finnaly get into town and I don't know about seeing Chicago again for the 14th ( yes 14th) time.
Last night Debra auctioned off the earrings Brooke was wearing ("Brooke Shields's DNA!" was how she sold them) and a backstage tour with a picture with Brooke, the package went for $500.
Otherwise, they're selling the Carols for a Cure CD and signed window-cards.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson