#1
Posted: 8/2/03 at 11:30am
Good for her!!
Roxie revived: Melanie Griffith adds her spark to 'Chicago'
Saturday, August 02, 2003
BY MICHAEL SOMMERS
Star-Ledger Staff
NEW YORK -- No doubt motivated by her husband, Antonio Banderas' dazzling success in "Nine," Melanie Griffith makes her Broadway debut in "Chicago."
The long-running musical revival is at the Ambassador, conveniently across the street from the theater where Banderas cavorts among 18 lovely ladies. (Possibly they motivate Griffith, too.)
Replacement stars usually don't bring out the critics. Especially in mid-summer. But Thursday night found among the tourists the first-stringers for the New York Times, the Daily News, New York Post, Newsday, Associated Press, Hollywood Reporter -- and The Star-Ledger, natch.
Why? Because rumor had seeped along the Rialto that Griffith, who began performances July 11, was giving one of those deer-in-the-headlights turns peculiar to movie stars without stage experience. A scent of blood was in the air.
Yet, thanks to nature of the role that Griffith plays and the seasoned company that ably supports her -- as well as her own effective spin on the character of Roxie Hart -- Griffith acquits herself pretty well. She's no threat to the memory of Gwen Verdon, or probably to any star who has played Roxie since, but she's not bad at all.
Roxie, remember, is a former nightclub chorus cutie who has gone to pot as a housewife. When she shoots her boyfriend for ditching her, Roxie suddenly becomes the tabloid queen of 1920s Chicago. Roxie also finds herself among the merry murderesses of the Cook County Jail, jazzy dames far more experienced than she ever hopes to be.
Sporting a feather-headed'do, Griffith cunningly depicts Roxie as a frowsy baby doll blond who refuses to believe that she's out of her league. All wavering eyes and long, gangling legs, Griffith looks adorable as she gingerly skitters through the snaky Fosse-esque choreography that appears to be simplified for her benefit.
Much as she handles the cartwheel that climaxes "Hot Honey Rag," Griffith capitalizes upon Roxie's inherent awkwardness to make audiences root for her.
Sure, she sings a bit flatly and, yes, she has yet to learn how to command the moment, but Griffith acts the role endearingly and unquestionably possesses that inner spark that makes a star a star. Producers Barry and Fran Weissler prove once again how wisely they pick talent.
Director Walter Bobbie's cast of top-notch pros support Griffith every step of the way. Deidre Goodwin makes a surprisingly good-natured Velma; Brent Barrett gleams with confidence as the showboating lawyer; Camille Saviola is fierce and knowing as the prison matron; P.J. Benjamin is very funny as Roxie's forgettable husband. The ensemble slinks about with that typically sultry precision and allure that make "Chicago" still the sexiest show in town.
Oh, and since no one ever mentions them, let's note that composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb created the razzmatazz score that makes the musical such a wickedly adult treat in the first place. Thanks again, gents.
Apparently rejuvenated by its popular screen version, the 7-year-old production has been booming at the box office over the last six months. Since Griffith began (she continues through Sept. 2
, the show has enjoyed near-capacity business at the 1,080-seat Ambassador and is no longer available at the discount TKTS booth.
Viewers have to pay full price to see "Chicago" these days. And it's still worth every red, hot and blue cent.
Roxie revived: Melanie Griffith adds her spark to 'Chicago'
Saturday, August 02, 2003
BY MICHAEL SOMMERS
Star-Ledger Staff
NEW YORK -- No doubt motivated by her husband, Antonio Banderas' dazzling success in "Nine," Melanie Griffith makes her Broadway debut in "Chicago."
The long-running musical revival is at the Ambassador, conveniently across the street from the theater where Banderas cavorts among 18 lovely ladies. (Possibly they motivate Griffith, too.)
Replacement stars usually don't bring out the critics. Especially in mid-summer. But Thursday night found among the tourists the first-stringers for the New York Times, the Daily News, New York Post, Newsday, Associated Press, Hollywood Reporter -- and The Star-Ledger, natch.
Why? Because rumor had seeped along the Rialto that Griffith, who began performances July 11, was giving one of those deer-in-the-headlights turns peculiar to movie stars without stage experience. A scent of blood was in the air.
Yet, thanks to nature of the role that Griffith plays and the seasoned company that ably supports her -- as well as her own effective spin on the character of Roxie Hart -- Griffith acquits herself pretty well. She's no threat to the memory of Gwen Verdon, or probably to any star who has played Roxie since, but she's not bad at all.
Roxie, remember, is a former nightclub chorus cutie who has gone to pot as a housewife. When she shoots her boyfriend for ditching her, Roxie suddenly becomes the tabloid queen of 1920s Chicago. Roxie also finds herself among the merry murderesses of the Cook County Jail, jazzy dames far more experienced than she ever hopes to be.
Sporting a feather-headed'do, Griffith cunningly depicts Roxie as a frowsy baby doll blond who refuses to believe that she's out of her league. All wavering eyes and long, gangling legs, Griffith looks adorable as she gingerly skitters through the snaky Fosse-esque choreography that appears to be simplified for her benefit.
Much as she handles the cartwheel that climaxes "Hot Honey Rag," Griffith capitalizes upon Roxie's inherent awkwardness to make audiences root for her.
Sure, she sings a bit flatly and, yes, she has yet to learn how to command the moment, but Griffith acts the role endearingly and unquestionably possesses that inner spark that makes a star a star. Producers Barry and Fran Weissler prove once again how wisely they pick talent.
Director Walter Bobbie's cast of top-notch pros support Griffith every step of the way. Deidre Goodwin makes a surprisingly good-natured Velma; Brent Barrett gleams with confidence as the showboating lawyer; Camille Saviola is fierce and knowing as the prison matron; P.J. Benjamin is very funny as Roxie's forgettable husband. The ensemble slinks about with that typically sultry precision and allure that make "Chicago" still the sexiest show in town.
Oh, and since no one ever mentions them, let's note that composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb created the razzmatazz score that makes the musical such a wickedly adult treat in the first place. Thanks again, gents.
Apparently rejuvenated by its popular screen version, the 7-year-old production has been booming at the box office over the last six months. Since Griffith began (she continues through Sept. 2
, the show has enjoyed near-capacity business at the 1,080-seat Ambassador and is no longer available at the discount TKTS booth. Viewers have to pay full price to see "Chicago" these days. And it's still worth every red, hot and blue cent.
