Profile for Matt Legg

So tonight was the first performance of Brokeback Mountain here in Chicago. Such a strange evening in many ways.The set is beautiful albeit simple. Some awkward staging with a triangular stage fit into a circle formation. The girl in the front row on the farthest left pretty much had her head under the stage and a bed blocking the view up top.I am so perplexed by the choice not to use microphones. The theater is CST is relatively tall and I was in the second row with generally good hearing. S...

Attended the first show. Having survived the Shoshona Bean version in Chicago back in 2015, I was pleasantly surprised with what was on the stage tonight.Kellie and Jessica really outdid themselves. Powerhouse singing of songs I may not remember, but I will remember the performance.And, agreeing with a post up above, the child version of CeCe literally stole the show. The singing, the dancing, the acting... she really was amazing throughout. She actually is the singer on the first part of WBM...

BEACHES.... Tote Bag on the chair that says Beaches and has the show date on it

Probably some spoilers below... I have no idea how to toggle the spoiler button.I was at the 4th show tonight. It's a little bit shorter (3 hours) and a couple of songs seem to have disappeared from act 2. We were in the front row so I was eavesdropping on the "Changes" notes in the pit.The orchestra is massive. I think I counted 18 people down there. But even some of them looked bored by the time we were 90 minutes in to act 1. The pit stretches from one side of the theater to the other and ...

She will be at FanExpo (formerly Wizard World Comic Con) on Aug 17 and 18 in Rosemont, IL. She's relatively inexpensive for photos and autographs ($60). I look forward to meeting her there!

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Oh dear, the complaints abovegive me flashbacks to the townsfolk in BRIDGES (which we all blamed on Sher and Marsha Norman but maybe JRB deserves a slap on the wrist for that too)."A totally valid observation! Sierra and the other four walked in a group of 5 for pretty much the entire show, not really adding anything to the plot or story. At least the church ladies in Color Purple have tea to spill.There were songs listed in the Playbill, though I am not sure th...

I was there opening night in the front row. The show begins kind of oddly with about 5-7 minutes of silence and characters slowly walking across the stage. I suppose it was to set the mood, but it was rather long and awkward with audience members with the random cough, sneeze, etc.Then finally the set comes to life, and I will say the large moving set pieces and lavish costumes were a true highlight.This is basically a one person show for Ghee. They live on the stage and the audience eats up ...

This was definitely a good time. I do think the overly enthusiastic audience helped bring energy to the room.It was nice to finally see a show here with set pieces and larger than life costumes. We have had so many projections recently that it's nice to actually see a set.The first act could definitely use a little trim. At 90 minutes, you could tell audiences were getting restless. The second act was under an hour and definitely didn't have the same energy as the first act. The show just com...

Though I did see the show 30 years ago, I can't really speak to any specifics about lyric changes. The instrumental sections are really not present... this is a tight show with nonstop singing. From his pre-show announcement, Des said the first act is 53 minutes and the second act about 45 and he was not lying. The second act begins right away with song (house lights still on).And the Tribune was correct that there is far less Uncle Ernie. He does fiddle about in act one but Tommy's Holiday C...

To answer your questions, really really loud. I've been in the 7th row, 2nd row and 1st row, and the shots are really jarring. I was with my 76 year old war veteran father tonight and prepared him multiple times just so he would not be alarmed. I'd assume they are from the soundboard (since the gun was about 2 feet from me tonight) and all the sound came from the speaker rather than the gun itself. All the firing is within the first 15 minutes of the show. The scene Tommy witnesses (obviously...

I have gone the past three nights and have highly enjoyed it. Definitely a crowd pleaser... the whole audience was on its feet before the last song even ended tonight.Fantastic performances and definitely very fast paced. It has gotten even tighter since Tuesday where there really is no pause for applause. Alison Luff's "Mirror" gets a good reaction when she hits the high notes at the end.Des has come out to introduce to show each night.They've done away with the "In the future..." which made...

Definitely more than one stagehand. It is a bit awkward moment. Front stage center you have a performer ready with his lines. In the back of the stage you have a couple waiting for their set piece to move. And out comes a stage crew mopping the floor for an extended period of time. Kind of looks like Minions taking over. I am sure this can get tightened up. Though it stalls the show for a bit, definitely does not ruin an otherwise moving, excellent show.

After Devil, First Wives, Pretty Woman, Cher, I am so happy that Chicago has a show that is satisfying on night one.Beautiful set and zen like music. Ingrid did Ingrid-like music and it flows nicely. Definitely some better songs in act two.Definitely a great audience response and I look forward to going back.I'd be interested in Andrea Burns too... The sign in the lobby said "Cast change" as did the slip inside the Playbill. Was happy that Yassmin Alers (who I have not seen since Rent) got a ...

I agree with all of the above. Taylor does a great job and is on stage for like 90% of the show. Beth is really forgotten which is such a shame. Such an amazing performer should not be relegated to the background looking like 90s Reba McEntire. Her mic was way too low and it was hard to hear from where I was in the 3rd row.The Javier Munoz ballad is definitely the showstopper of the show. Was really the only "wow" moment of the show.

BOX1 was just posted today.

If you make a left out of the theater and another left on the first street, you will see two limos waiting behind a fence. On Thursday night, both drivers were standing near the fence talking on their cell phones. I talked to one of them who said "they" (Christine and Patti) get in the cars immediately. There's probably about 20 feet from the door to the fence. It's pretty easy to find the cars... I did not stick around to see them walk out. I am curious if both walk out at the same time beca...

I did stage door with a crowd of about eight. Everyone does come out, though Faith did take quite a while. She could not be more lovely. Took multiple photos per her request. Discussed her cabaret show she did her a couple years ago. The three leads are the sole reason to see the show.

The row 1 seats are wonderful at Cadillac Palace. I can't think of a theater anywhere that actually thought to leave a lot of room (probably 5 or 6 feet) between row A and the orchestra pit. You have great sightlines and a lot of room to move

I've been there a few times and have never seen Keala either. She is so great in the show too! I met her frequently on the Hairspray tour. Maybe she comes out another door?