Chicago Tour - is it worth it?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/6/06 at 11:01pm

The Chicago tour is currently here in Huntsville, AL. The cheapest seats are $31 and I was just wondering if you think its worth it? How are the sets, costumes, performances?

[jimmirae]

Posted: 1/6/06 at 11:01pm

Who's in it?

Posted: 1/6/06 at 11:06pm

I saw it in Chicago in November (Paige Davis, Tom Wopat) and found it to be a very solid production--not as good as the original cast, but well done and very tight. Paige & Tom were both excellent as was the Mary Sunshine-- I thought the Velma was fair and the Mama Morton way way over sung-- but it didn't ruin the show for me.

The Dancing was great and the whole cast was "on" when I saw it. Quite impressive for a show out on the road this long.
Updated On: 1/6/06 at 11:06 PM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/6/06 at 11:10pm

Okay, I'm trying to convince a friend to go with me and I don't really have much to back it up considering its a "scaled" down version and doesn't have anything big and flashy to draw ppl in, except the movie.

[morosco]

Posted: 1/6/06 at 11:16pm

"How are the sets"

You won't find much in the way of scenery in this production.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/6/06 at 11:26pm

Stars the fabulous Michelle DeJean as Roxie.

No sets, just chairs - and a fancy sparkly curtain at the end. It's incredible. It relies on the talent of the performers to keep the show entertaining - not the sets.

Don't go in expecting the movie, because it's the total opposite,but just better.

If you want big sets - I advise you not to see this show.
Updated On: 1/6/06 at 11:26 PM

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 1/6/06 at 11:43pm

The cast was VERY solid when I saw it this past December. If you get the chance to see Terra MacLeod as Velma, count yourself as lucky cause she was amazing when I saw her. *points to avatar*

[JasonM12480]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 1:54am

I just saw this tour on New Year's Day here in Richmond, Virginia. I've seen the show 3 times already - once on Broadway, and 2 times on tour. This was my 4th time at it, and it's a production and show that NEVER gets old. Always tight, always fun, and always fantastic.

Ms. Terra C. MacLeod was amazing as Velma Kelly - great voice, great gams, great everything. Michelle DeJean was ok as Roxie - thought she was a touch too young, but her voice was excellent - just a personal preference, but I didn't care for her portrayal. Gregory Harrison as Billy Flynn was fine - great voice, solid acting, commanding presence, highly charming. Kevin Carolan as Amos was - well, milktoast, as Amos is supposed to be. Carol Woods as Mama Morton, in my opinion, stole the show - what a VOICE!! Big, black and beautiful, indeed! Great job. R. Bean as Mary Sunshine - again - just my preference, but I'd like my Mary Sunshine to not have so much vibrato that I can't understand a word she/he's singing. A little too much for my taste.

Another standout, ensemble-wise, was John Carroll, who played the Bailiff and the Court Clerk. He was the featured dancer of the production, and was beautiful to watch - captured the true Fosse magic perfectly. Kudos to him, and to an outstanding cast for a wonderful night of theater. GO SEE THE TOUR!!!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 2:07am

I never understood the twist that Mary Sunshine was a guy. I don't remember that from the movie at all. I'm not going in expecting big sets, although for me, I love looking a nice set. I remember I saw the Chorus Line tour like 10 years ago, and I remember thinking - this is Broadway? Cause all it was was a row of mirrors. But yeah, I'm excited to see this. I always wondered how it played out on stage because the movie did all the songs as like "daydreams" or whatever, so I'm excited to see how it pans out.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 2:14am

i would go to see it if i hadn't seen it on Broadway....Hollywood actor Gregory Harrison stars in the touring company i think. The Broadway production didn't impress me too much, even when Brooke Shields(who was brilliant) starred in it.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 2:23am

Why was it unimpressive? Not sure how i'll dig the whole "scaled" back part, but we'll see.

[mentaltenant]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 2:37am

It'll be here in Memphis in a few weeks and I plan to see it just to see what I think of it. I'll go on student rush night just so I don't have to pay crazy ticket prices (it was a smart move for me to hang on to me student ID haha).

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 3:02am

Is the tour set really scaled down? If the West End is the same as Broadway, how much more scaled down can it be?? A milk crate and some tin cans??

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 11:24am

The Broadway production, Westend production, and national tour are the same EXACT thing. Same sets - everything. Nothing is more scaled down in the tour.

I just feel you need to have a certain appreciation for theatre to enjoy this production. It's one of my best theatre experiences ever, and usually is each time I revisit the show.

It won 6 Tonys, 6 Drama Desk Awards, 5 Outer Critics Circle Awards, 2 Oliver Awards (London production), and a Grammy.

I've told people before - if you like color, this isn't your show. Everything is black - besides the makeup on the actors faces - and the curtain & flowers at the end. The show does have fantastic lighting though - which is won awards for.

I haven't seen the tour yet - but I've seen the two leading ladies on Broadway. I've said it earlier - but I absolutely love Michelle DeJean as Roxie - this is her big break - and she is great. She's a real "sex pot" Roxie. Terra is a great Velma - she plays it very bitchy. She is a glorious dancer.

Updated On: 1/7/06 at 11:24 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 11:29am

DeJean as Roxie.

Rave review for DeJean and the tour.. (review includes Braxton as Velma, not Terra.)

http://www.houstonpress.com/Issues/2005-10-20/culture/theater.html
Updated On: 1/7/06 at 11:29 AM

[SweeneyPhanatic]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 1:31pm

QUOTE:
I never understood the twist that Mary Sunshine was a guy. I don't remember that from the movie at all.
END QUOTE.

The show's original title was 'Chicago: a Musical Vaudeville.' All of the numbers and scenes were done like vaudeville acts. One popular part of vaudeville was drag. Hence, we have Mary Sunshine played by a man in drag. It also ties in with Billy's courtroom line 'Things are not always as they appear to be' (or something to that effect, I can't find my script).

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 3:31pm

In the movie they kind of dropped the idea of a vaudeville act as the way to present the numbers and replaced it for the dreams so the idea of Mary Sunshine as a drag queen in the real world didn't make much sense to Rob Marshall so he dropped the idea (I believe this is what he says in the Chicago director's commentary)
I'm seeing the tour on Jan.11th in Melbourne, this is my favorite musical so I'm very excited. If you expect a big spectacle a la Phantom or Wicked, then stay away from this show. This show is cynical, dark, and it's just full of energy. I'm glad people like the current touring cast, I was hoping to see Brenda Braxton but apparently she's not currently on any Chicago production. Ljay I'm very much relieved you say Terra is a "glorious dancer," I like my Velma to be a big belter and a mind-blowing dancer, I'm very picky about Velma, Roxie is always allowed to play the role with some lack of talent but Velma should be a true triple-threat.

[chasing_rainbows43]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 3:42pm

Does anyone have a link to the cast list? Wondering how intact the ensemble is from when the tour began.
thanks

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 3:56pm

If you go to chicagothemusical.com and click on cast and creative team, they have a list of all the productions of Chicago and the casts on each.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 3:58pm

Although the national tour cast is not correct...

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 4:00pm

Oh then please do tell who's in the show? I'm watching it next week and I thought that'd be the cast.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 4:15pm

Terra C. MacLeod, Michelle DeJean, Carol Woods, Gregory Harrison, many different ensemble members.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 4:50pm

The official site is very slow updating.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 5:21pm

yeah, no I didnt mean "scaled" down as in like they cut the budget, i just meant like like its not a big flashy musical, like its more of a "stark" production. Can't wait to see it. Should be interesting.

[IMissNYC]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 6:03pm

CHICAGO is an incredible show. I saw it on broadway when the revival first came out, but if this is your only chance to see it then I say totally go for it. The whole concept if great and I love the minimal sets and costumes. It's one of my all time favorite productions. I love the movie too, but the stage production wins.