Ok..here is the official word from Broadway.com Applegate is out and D'Amboise is set to play Charity for the entire Boston run of the show.
Applegate's other understudy is filling out the Chicago run so that Charlotte can be fully rehearsed to play Charity at the Boston opening on Friday...which I will be in attendance at. As I said in another thread, Charlote is fab. She is my favorite Roxie.
Maybe we'll have another Shirly MacLaine story on our hands? Hmmm....
If not, this could be the best thing that's ever happened to D'Amboise. She's an amazing performer and I'd love to think that she might finally get the chance to really shine in a show of her own.
"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."
I love Charlotte, too. But I would really like to see Christina on a Broadway stage. And I'm sure the Weissler's wouldn't be too happy with having to put out the funds for a brand new display outside the Al Hirschfeld...plus whole new ad campaigns.
"I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about." - Oscar Wilde
It's an interesting dilemma for the Weisslers. I'd bet the farm that D'Amboise is going to BE better and GET BETTER REVIEWS. I'd LOVE to see her do it.
I've made the decision that I will see her in it on Friday. I think I really will see a seasoned triple-threat in a role that will really let her show off. Watch out Christina!
P.S. I hope we don't have another situation at the Al Hirschfeld with the leading lady out more than she's in.
Looks like Christina broke her foot. So she will be out awhile. When Andrea McArdle broke her leg in STATE FAIR, she never returned and was replaced by Susan Egan. Will Michael Reidel win that bet with Barry and Fran W?? He bet Weissler a steak dinner that Applegate would not open the show on B'way.
Princeton, I hadn't ordered tickets in advance, I was planning on student rushing it, like most of us here at Emerson were planning to do. We're literally two doors down from the theatre.
Awwwe...Stephen...Emerson. Hehehe...I remember Emerson. I didn't go..but a few good friends did. I rememeber rushing at the Colonial Theatre with all the nice people from Emerson.
IF applegate can't open the show on b'way, how about they just switch the 2- put christina in as the new roxie (the weisslers seem to love celeb replacements) then everybody wins...although i'd feel bad for christina
"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel
Why would you feel bad for Christina? Roxie is a great role and Chicago is a sure bet to stay around for a while. And don't worry, i'm sure she'll play Roxie sometime soon anyways.
I do feel badly for Applegate. I've been impressed by her dedication to the project - she clearly wants to prove herself.
That said, and I'm saying this as a fan of the show and cast - it really does sound like this show is in seriosly deep sh!t. New songs and scenes go in and out with alarming frequency. If this were a new show, I could see the reason for the changes, but this is a REVIVAL...how much tweaking and fine-tuning does this need?
I don't think Christina is the problem. I blame Bobbie.
I really do hope Christina gets her chance to shine, though. She seems just fine.
I don't know the show too well (sorry!), but new songs and scenes? I guess this is what out-of-town tryouts are for, but yeah, it is a revival, be creative with the material that already exists.
princeton- i wouldn't feel bad for her fro playing roxie, its a kick ass role... however i would be sad for her if her broadway debut isn't in a production that could earn her a tony nom, as it currently could be.
"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel
I saw the show yesterday at the Matinee with Dylis Croman playing Charity. (Yes. Exactly. Have you thought about what you will change your name to, Miss Croman?) I sat there wondering who they could possibly replace Applegate with. I never thought of Charlotte D'Amboise. I think they want (need) a NAME in that part.
I didn't bother to post a whole review, but aside from the fact that Dylis was like a deer in the headlights, the whole show seemed lacking oomph. It seemed more like a bus & truck tour that had been on the road for a year than a fresh exciting show headed for B'way. The changes they have made in the show are NOT doing it any favors (The opening needs to be changed...again) and the dance captain needs to be fired. Even in the non-Charity dance numbers there was some REALY sloppiness to the chorepgraphy. The spacing and precision was way way off. The only dance number that really worked was "Rich Man's Frug."
I was sad not to see Applegate. If they had a Charity in the part that was a real firecracker, I guess it would help, but seeing it yesterday made me wonder if this show will ever work. The show comes to life when Dennis O'Hare (Who was all but perfect) enters, but do you really want the "villian" of the piece to be the most likeable character? Natascha Diaz and Solange Sandy did very well as Helene & Nickie but What the hell is Poor Ernie Sabella doing in this show? He had exactly three tiny scenes and they cut his song down to 30 seconds and replaced it with the most generic thing I've ever heard. It makes me wonder what the creative folks involved in this show were thinking.
If any of them are reading this, let me give them some free advice. To set up the "Bittersweet" ending, you need to wow the audience with a great send off for Charity. That's why Herman had the song "I Love to Cry at Weddings": He lightens the mood even more and sets the audience to think that a happy ending is right around the corner. Then when the ending comes, it's a shock. "People like you" is a crap song, setting the wrong mood. Cut it.
Of course you've got other problems to deal with first. What the hell are they going to do with this show?
This just seems like one of those classic stories of a show that was never meant to open on Broadway. Anyone think they'll just close it?
"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."
The Weisslers have WAY too much money at stake at this point to close it now (the millions spent on sets and costumes is unrecoverable). Frankly, they might be better off opening it in NYC with D'Ambroise in the lead. I bet she can dance and sing circles around Applegate, anyway. And while they're at it, get rid of Cilento and reinstate the classic Fosse choreography -- now THAT would be a show I'd pay to see.
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
[http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/]
"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
One of the local radio stations is still playing an ad promoting Applegate's appearance. I havent bought tickets yet but part of the reason I wanted to go was to see her.
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