Profile for Patti LuPone FANatic

ACL2006 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "Standup comedian Matteo Lane joins the musical as Billy Flynn from June 22 - July 19."

Billy Flynn isn't funny. I can see him going off track during "Both Reached For the Gun". Doesn't seem like the correct role for Lane. But he can sing."

Wow, that is totally unexpected casting.  

Oh no, not another one!   Zach Bravo currently plays Fred Casely.  His last show will be on June 14, 2026.  

ACL2006 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "Krysta Rodriguez joins as Roxie Hart starting June 15."

Please let Robyn Hurder rejoin the cast on June 22 as Velma!!"

"We...want Robyn.  Where...is...Robyn?  R O B Y N  "

If this is true, that's AWESOME!

Sophie Carmen Jones will continue on as Velma Kelly until June 21st.  (according to Telecharge). 

Magic2Do said: "The mostly white production of Dreamgirls, posted here 2 weeks ago, has been forced to cancel their production after the licensing conditions were changed after complaints were made.

Statement from Gillian Banks Theatre School:

“We are incredibly saddened to announce that, due to circumstances completely outside of our control, our planned production of Dreamgirls will no longer be able to go ahead.

Following recent complaints made directly to the rights holders regarding casting requirements, we have now been informed that the licensing conditions for the show have changed with immediate effect.

As a result, the rights for the production have been withdrawn and the show can no longer legally be performed under the original licence

This has been absolutely devastating for everyone involved. Our cast and creative team have worked incredibly hard over recent months, dedicating huge amounts of time, energy and passion into rehearsals, vocals, choreography and preparation for the production. We know many of our performers are deeply upset and disappointed by this news, and understandably so.

We want to make it very clear that every single member of our cast has our full support. They have done nothing wrong, and we could not be prouder of the professionalism, commitment and talent they have shown throughout this process.

Although we are heartbroken that the original production cannot move forward, we are determined that all of the hard work already put into rehearsals will not go to waste. As a team, we are already pulling together to create an exciting new variety production taking place during the same performance week - celebrating Motown, musical theatre and jukebox classics, featuring our incredibly talented cast.

We truly believe that, while this is not the outcome anyone wanted, something special can still come from it, and we are committed to creating a fantastic show that everyone can still be proud to be part of.
Further details regarding the new production will be announced very soon.

We sincerely hope our audiences, families, friends and wider community will continue to support our incredible performers during this difficult time, and we cannot wait to welcome you all to what promises to be a fantastic celebration of music, talent and live performance.

We hope to see you all at the show*”*

Source:https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18zAHtKobq/?mibextid=wwXIfr"

Two thoughts immediately come to mind:  oblivious and tone deaf

Hopefully, Ryan will return to the show soon.  I'm curious as to who is the next Velma.  My wild guess is either Robyn Hurder or Bianca Marroquin.  

Kad said: "All things considered, and barring any other developments, this seems like something that can be repaired in a relatively short amount of time- a month or two, I would guess."   In the meantime, many people are wondering about the pay status of the performers and staff.  .Do they get paid or not at all during the rebuilding process?  

 

I think that they only way that DBH can survive if they (by some miracle) convince Megan Hilty to make a return.  

Since there's a new Roxie and Billy Flynn, it would be great to see a few pics of them in the show.  Chicago does have a photographer.  Show us some pics...already!

AKarp2013 said: "Taking a wild guess that they're already talking to Whitney and Mark for a return engagement toChicago this fall. Those numbers are incredible."  What other shows might be interested in Whitney and Mark?  Other shows must be looking adoringly at the drawing power of both Leavitt and Balas.  

 

Fantastic grosses for Chicago!  I was surprised to see that Chicago and Moulin Rouge had almost identical grosses.

According to Telecharge:  

Rachel Schur Chase: (Roxie) thru May 31, 2026

Sophie Carmen Jones: (Velma) thru May 17, 2026

Jacqueline B. Arnold: (Mama) thru July 19, 2026

Greg Hildreth: (Amos) thru June 21, 2026

R. Lowe : (Mary Sunshine) thru June 7, 2026

 

I imagine that the adverse ( and deservedly so ) reaction from the audience was sufficient, without any commentary from those involved with the show.  

I did see the Cellblock Tour stop in Houston, in June of 2019.  I saw the show on two consecutive days.  Dylis Croman was Roxie with Lana Gordon as Velma.  

Hello all.  I traveled to San Antonio to see Chicago at the Majestic Theatre on May 2nd.  It was a blast!  I was surprised by the San Antonio audience.  They were loud and enjoyed every part of the show.  At the beginning, Go-To-Hell-Kitty (as played by the saucy Amy Knips) appears.  Now, I've seen many a GTH Kittys over the past 15 years.  But the audience's reaction was something else.  They applauded and hooted at each "trait" individually.  GTHK's murder, greed, corruption...etc were met with such amazing applause.  This was the first time ever that I had seen such a reaction to Go To Hell Kitty's speech.  Ellie Roddy (Roxie Hart) and Claire Marshall (Velma Kelly) were wonderful in their roles.  At the stage door, I got to meet Ms Roddy.  When I spoke with her, I said you were either Roxie or Velma.  She told me to guess.  I said Velma. Incorrect response on my part.  Max Cervantes was spirited as Billy Flynn.  He held the "the" note for a very long time.  I did meet Marc Christopher (Amos Hart) at the s/d.  He was a towering presence.  Very nice person.  J. Clanton was ever so lovely as Mary Sunshine.  Tim Canali played Fred Casely.  I think all Fred Caselys are physically impressive.  He certainly was.  Another person I met at the stage door was Jared Houde (who played The Bailiff).  During the segment with Roxie and Her Boys, Houde made a back flip.  This is the first time ever that I've seen that done.  He must by a gymnast as well.  I did meet other members of the cast.  When I stage door, I normally asked the artist to sign on the "Who's Who In The Cast" page.  It's lovely to see cast names in the front.  But some of the autographs are so distinctive, that it would be difficult to know who was who.  Their tour bus was ready for the next stop to Abilene.  Then, it's off to Chicago (May 5-10) and finally to Philadelphia (May 12-17).  https://chicagoontour.com/bios/

I am seeing the Chicago tour stop in San Antonio's Majestic Theatre on Sat. May 2nd.  I will see the evening show.  (Last time I saw Chicago at the Majestic was in 2015, with Bianca Marroquin and Terra C. )  

Will Sophie Carmen Jones continue as Velma or is someone else coming up the pipeline?  Keeping fingers crossed for Robyn Hurder.

ACL2006 said: "Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Will Ryan Lowe be returning today?"

Yes he is, for approximately 2 months.



Jenny Laroche is the new Go-To-Hell Kitty (& Mama understudy)."   Does it mean that those two months will be his farewell run?