Post A Reply - Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 11:01pm

I disagree.  While I don't mean a full fledged campaign, it would be  helpful to promote the show in some way, so people can see the Roxie lead.  

[ACL2006]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 12:07pm

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "From all accounts, Rachel Schur Chase is doing great as Roxie Hart. She knows her stuff. But, there's not enough publicity/video of her performances. It would be to the show's advantage to present Rachel and company so people can witness her talent. Come on Chicago producers....get with the program. Show us what makes Rachel Schur Chase a talented Roxie!"

There's no need to promote Rachel as she's only there for four weeks before Mira Sorvino starts.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 11:46am

From all accounts, Rachel Schur Chase is doing great as Roxie Hart.  She knows her stuff.  But, there's not enough publicity/video of her performances.  It would be to the show's advantage to present Rachel and company so people can witness her talent.  Come on Chicago producers....get with the program.  Show us what makes Rachel Schur Chase a talented Roxie!

[Birdie Boy]

Posted: 9/1/25 at 12:15pm

What’s the weekly nut for this show?  

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 8/31/25 at 2:14pm

Saw the show at the Ambassador for the 38th time last night.

First time seeing Bianca as Velma! I definitely like her better as Roxie. The best way to describe her way of singing All that Jazz was goofy? She used her silly voice (like the one when she mocks Billy before the trial) It pains me to say that because I adore her as Roxie and I'm alway so thrilled when she comes back to the role. She threw a rose at me too and it bounced off my hand and the girl next to me grabbed it.  The same girl who didn't clap once throughout the entire show ugh. 

I have to mention James T. Lane being back in the cast.  What a dynamo. And he elevates Me and My Baby so much. And now he's playing the jury so it's refreshing to see someone else in that role. 

By the way.... I distinctly remember Billy Flynn taking off Mary's wig but the last few times, Mary takes off her own wig. The first time I saw it, it look as if R. Lowe got annoyed at waiting for Billy to take it off so he just did it himself but now it seems to be an official change in blocking.  Am I imagining this? 

Rachel Schur was awesome as Roxie. She was in good voice and she was funny--what more could ask from Roxie? 

I miss how the conductor used to encourage people to stay after the curtain call and clap along with the band. 

Raymond Bokhour blew the roof off with Mr. Cellophane. When he started getting into for the final refrain of the song, I thought the audience was gonna charge the stage they were so rapturous. When he left for "exit music" he normally walks all the way downstage and opens his mouth to say something but then doesn't say it, but last night a girl shouted "I love you!" and he smiled and laughed instead. When he tried to say his line "I hope I didn't take up too much of your time" the applause wouldn't stop so he left the stage without saying it. Coincidentally, when we were in line ot enter the theater, a girl was saying to her friend "Omg! Like last time I saw it, there was this old bald guy singing a song and he was all "I hope I didnt take up too much of your time" and I was like awww! youre sweet!" lol.  So apparently it was Amos Appreciation Night last night. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/17/25 at 7:41pm

Sunday swing day at Chicago. Jacqueline B. Arnold & Tam Mutu both got COVID during their first week. Celina Nightengale has been Mama since Friday. Joseph London returned from vacation and was Amos this weekend. Barrett Martin was Billy today. Jeff Gorti, Chelsea James & Mikayla Renfrow all called out today. Sharon Moore covered June while Jessica Ernest split-tracked Go-To-Hell Kitty/Liz tonight. Marty Lawson has been on for someone for 3 weeks now due to vacations and illnesses.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/13/25 at 10:51am

Jordan Catalano said: "Mira Sorvino!!!!!! "

What's her theater/stage experience?

[Dom P]

Posted: 8/13/25 at 10:00am

Jordan Catalano said: "Mira Sorvino!!!!!! "

I'm honestly suprised,she hasn't been on Broadway before.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/13/25 at 9:13am

That means she’ll be in town when “Romy and Michele” opens which will be great for them. I can’t wait for this. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 8/13/25 at 9:10am

Sorvino confirmed! September 15 - November 2 only.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/13/25 at 9:10am

Mira Sorvino!!!!!!

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/12/25 at 12:15pm

Can Mira Sorvino sing and dance?

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 8/12/25 at 11:13am

nativenewyorker2 said: "Mira Sorvino"

Sign me up ! She was excellent in Crime Story

Updated On: 8/12/25 at 11:13 AM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/12/25 at 8:11am

Interesting situation over at Chicago regarding Mary Sunshine. Ryan Lowe is still out of the show for undisclosed reasons. Joseph London left for vacation over the weekend and Jayke Workman wasn't available to cover Mary. So OG Mary Sunshine, David Sabella, was called in to play the role starting last Thursday and is playing the role through August 17.

Updated On: 8/12/25 at 08:11 AM

[nativenewyorker2]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 10:57pm

Mira Sorvino

[MimiChika]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 10:44pm

ACL2006 said: "Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Per Telecharge. I was pleasantly surprised to see the return of Rachel Schur as Roxiefrom Aug. 18--31. Both Bianca Marroquin and Tam Mutu are with the show until Sept. 28th. I hope Mary Claire King makes a return at some point."

Guessing whoever the next Roxie is can't start until Sept. 1. Might be Charlotte. Rachel retired from the show recently, so they must have been desperate to be a 2 week filler. Croman was supposed to leave on Aug. 3, too."

Someone from “Romy and Michele” is joining the Broadway cast  

Updated On: 8/11/25 at 10:44 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 8:48pm

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Per Telecharge. I was pleasantly surprised to see the return of Rachel Schur as Roxiefrom Aug. 18--31. Both Bianca Marroquin and Tam Mutu are with the show until Sept. 28th. I hope Mary Claire King makes a return at some point."

Guessing whoever the next Roxie is can't start until Sept. 1. Might be Charlotte. Rachel retired from the show recently, so they must have been desperate to be a 2 week filler. Croman was supposed to leave on Aug. 3, too.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 8:29pm

Per Telecharge.  I was pleasantly surprised to see the return of Rachel Schur as Roxie  from Aug. 18--31.  Both Bianca Marroquin and Tam Mutu are with the show until Sept. 28th.  I hope Mary Claire King makes a return at some point.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 11:30am

ACL2006 said: "ACL2006 said: "so, anyone know who's Roxie starting tonight?"

No Roxie announcement. Bianca returns as Velma, new Mama and Billy start next Monday.



https://playbill.com/article/tam-mutu-jacqueline-b-arnold-to-join-broadways-chicago-bianca-marroquin-sets-return"

EDIT: Croman extended through Aug 17. Rachel Schur returns for two weeks as Roxie after that. Probably a name entering the show in September as Roxie.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 10:56am

ACL2006 said: "so, anyone know who's Roxie starting tonight?"

No Roxie announcement. Bianca returns as Velma, new Mama and Billy start next Monday.

 

https://playbill.com/article/tam-mutu-jacqueline-b-arnold-to-join-broadways-chicago-bianca-marroquin-sets-return

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 8:13am

so, anyone know who's Roxie starting tonight?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 2:38pm

ACL2006 said: "two weeks away from some new (or returning) leads joining the show and there's been zero announcements or hints on social media."

Less than a week away and the new leads haven't been announced. Guessing it's just a bunch of recycled vets returning.

 

CORRECTION: only Dylis Croman is leaving this week. The remaining leads are all there through August 10 now.

Updated On: 7/29/25 at 02:38 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 10:58pm

Samantha Sturm made her Roxie debut tonight.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/22/25 at 9:45am

In years past, you could have quite a few celebrity Billys.  Now, not so much.  The same thing goes with celebrity Velmas.  It hasn't been happening much.  There are more celebrities willing (and able) to take on the role of Roxie.  For Mama, it would be great to have a return of Patti LaBelle or Jennifer Holiday.  At the moment, Pamela Anderson is undertaking a role in "Camino Real".  So she's out of consideration for a while.  I'm not sure what Ariana Madix's availability is at the moment, but she's always popular when she makes a return.  Indeed, Chicago casting needs to make some inspired casting.  As I've mentioned before, I don't remember seeing Chicago's grosses as low as they have been during the summer months.  Something needs to happen.

Updated On: 7/22/25 at 09:45 AM

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 7/22/25 at 3:19am

They really need to go all out with casting for the 30th anniversary next year.