Ashlee Simpson, has she been reviewed?- Page 3

[alliez92092]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 3:09pm

You just posted a link from the forbidden site.

[Bal]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 7:35pm

She's not really...getting the Fosse hands. She looks like she's fanning her bum.

*sigh* I don't mind most of what I've seen, actually, but it offends me that she doesn't care enough to find out that musicals aren't...called...Broadways. I mean, it (and the offhand, giggly way she talks about the show) makes it seem like she's dabbling in something that is completely inconsequential to her.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 7:46pm

If she doesn't know the correct terminology, then the press agent is the screw-up for not briefing her before sending her out on interviews.

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 7:54pm

She really doesn't sound that bad.

And well it looks like Melanie Griffith is still the worst Roxie ever! Congrats Mel, you keep your title.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 7:57pm

I am just so heartbroken that anyone could check out the site we will not mention and see that footage and believe that that is anywhere near performance level calibre for a Broadway show. After 70 years of shattering performances, if she really did get those type of solid reviews(and I intend to check them all as soon as I finish this post) then the London critics are twits.

There was not one bit of Fosse in that clip. Not one hand gesture. Not one toe point, not a single leg extension.

It's time to go to synthasizers - of the performers.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 8:14pm

I'm sure there have been other performers who've played the role who are loved by many, but aren't exactly Fosse-style dancers. It's not really the end of the world is it?

[allofmylife]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 8:16pm

I have poured over the sites for The Times of London, The Daily Mail, The Independent and Guardian and guess what? No reviews. The only "rave" review I found was in Hello, which is about like getting a rave in People. And then This Is London commented on The Hello review and soeone on the news wires wrote that she was getting raves.

I'll wait and see....

[StephenSondheimWHOO]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 8:41pm

Oh my goodness, "It's such an honor to be in chigaco, its such a great broadway"
Oh dear

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 8:49pm

I think it's absolutely HILARIOUS she calls musicals "Broadways."

It doesn't even make me mad, it makes me laugh so much.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 9:38pm

Its so annoying. How could she not know what a Broadway show is called? Thats just dumb. And she can't dance by the way...

[allofmylife]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 9:53pm

Think of the thousands of young women who would kill their relatives to play this role, women who have talent and abilities, can sing and dance and act. And she gets the part because she is the SISTER of someone famous.

I... am... app...aulled....

[StephenSondheimWHOO]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 9:57pm

* stands up and aplaudes allofmylife

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 11:05pm

^ Does the same as StephenSondheim

[newsieboy23]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 12:09am

Allofmylife, What Fosse shows have you seen that are big on pointed toes and extensions? I've trained for years, danced in and choreographed plenty of musicals that were created by Fosse, and I've always thought Bob to be a bit more stylized then that. I'm also surprised that you didn't notice all of the NY Roxie's (Brooke Shields, Paige Davis, Robin Givens, Melanie Griffith and Rita Wilson... not to mention the dozens of Velma's and Billy Flynn's)who have obviously had much LESS technique then Ashlee Simpson- weather they were more talented in other aspects or not. I should also mention that I do not own one Ashlee CD, have never downloaded a song, and even missed her on SNL; I am no more a fan then anyone else here... I just know dancing/Chicago and Fosse's style. I am also surprised that you (and tons of others here) always miss the fact that casting a celeb or two as a principal role keeps dozens of other performers, stage hands etc employed. And Fosse would most likely be thrilled with the amount of money his estate is making on this mega-successful revival which has launched HOW MANY tours, regional productions and hit HOW MANY countries? Exactly.

And as far as girls killing people to take on this role, I'm sure Ashlee's understudy thanks her for the opportunity to learn the role, as will her replacement that was able to audition because the show was still running.

And yes, I've seen the clips. I think her dancing is GREAT. I don’t mind her voice, but won’t fight anyone who does. I have no idea what her acting is like, just proudly defending the REHEARSAL that were all judging this performer by.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 1:14am

newsieboy23,

Excuse me for just throwing in the inacurate dance phrases. I was tired and in a hurry. It comes from twenty years of writing and producing movies and TV. I have been away from the stage for a long time now and I got lazy. I won't make that mistake here again.

What I should have said was Ashlee Simpson looks like a little girl trying - in vain - to copy the Fosse style. It's a style that sets itself apart from any other choreography in the world. The style is, in my humble opinion, best reflected through the hands. Fosse's choreography was perhaps the most riveting used of hands-in-dance I have ever seen onstage. Look at any of the photos from any original cast of a Fosse show and the hands in every show are telling a story. Miss Simpson's hands are limp and inarticulate when they should be reaching, flexing. They should be hands of steel. Roxie Hart is a needy, grasping woman and when I saw Gwen Verdon do the role, you could have watched the entire show and understood every moment and nuance by just watching her hands.

The body of a Fosse dancer is nublie, sexy, sleek and coiled, like a panther or a snake. Miss Simpson is barely keeping up with the chorus boys. She's not leading the pack, she's a soft goo in the middle.

You are right, I have never seen Brooke Shields in the role, but I did see her in Wonderful Town and was quite surprised. The others you listed, Page Davis, Melanie Griffith and Rita Wilson I would not have paid money to see. Why? Because I have seen the show with actual Broadway professionals, like Bebe Neuwirth and Gwen and Chita. I suppose I was lamenting the fact that casting a deer into the headlights is what is required to keep a show running these days.

Although it is true that many people were kept working with the parachute casting, this is not something I can support.

I've been thinking of giving up pursuing a career out here in Los Angeles. I have even taken a few steps toward getting into Broadway production (I've optioned a couple of properties and am developing two of my own) but seeing what it takes to sustain a long run depresses the hell out of me.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 1:14am

sorry double post

Updated On: 9/29/06 at 01:14 AM

[Londonskyguy]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 6:05pm

Just got back from london this afternoon,, Have seen Chicago several times, but couldnt resist the idea to see it one more time with Ashlee.. Let me say first , I have never been a fan of hers,, nor have I been one of those that wishes to bash her , to be honest I just never really gave her much thought.. However.. after seeing her I am happy to say,, SHE WAS GOOD,, Im not much of a writer of reviews, but lets just say she pulled it off,, and very well I might add!

[allofmylife]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 6:16pm

Okay. I quit. Look for my new career in beekeeping.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 6:20pm

Wow, I think she did a great job with the singing and dancing. I mean, once you experience the vocals of Anne Reinking (or however you spell her name), then you can sit through anyone . . . and that wasn't a negative thing towards Miss. Simpson. I really think she did great in that clip.

[newsieboy23]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 6:34pm

So good to hear LondonSky! And Spider, I agree about Reinking. I've yet to hear ANYONE sound worse as Roxie.

[Isabella2]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 8:12pm

i'm really curious as to how she did... any londoners on this site?

EDIT: woops, turns out i only read the first page hahaha
Updated On: 9/29/06 at 08:12 PM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 8:30pm

Okay, having put it off and put it off, I just forced myself to watch.

Holy crap - the girl is good! I don't understand the complaints about her dancing - in the part of the clip where she's dancing with the two boys, her moves are carbon copies of theirs. So either they're not dancing in Fosse style (but they are), or she is doing just fine (she is). It's cute when she says "Broadways" - sounds like the new hot way of saying "Broadway shows." I might do it from now on.

My only complaint is the one I've had since the announcement was made - waaaaaay too young.

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 10:38pm

I'm also surprised that you didn't notice all of the NY Roxie's (Brooke Shields, Paige Davis, Robin Givens, Melanie Griffith and Rita Wilson... not to mention the dozens of Velma's and Billy Flynn's)who have obviously had much LESS technique then Ashlee Simpson-

- To be fair. Paige is extensively trained in theatre. She is a true triple threat. She danced the ensemble of Chicago for years, before Trading Spaces.

And Brooke worked her ASS off for the dancing. She worked personally with Ann Reinking to really get the Fosse style. I think she is the one celeb Roxie who had the most respect for the Fosse style, and she made sure she lived up to the standards, and integrity of the Fosse Style. Plus Brooke did EVERY original Ann Reinking choreographed Fosse styled move.

But what you did you say is true about Griffith, Givens, and Wilson.

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 11:49pm

I'm just finding it amusing that everyone is saying "she can pull it off." Like Roxie Hart is a role you can just pull off. This is like saying she can pull off Momma Rose. Of course, Roxie Hart is not Momma Rose, but my point is that both roles were originated (and re-created) by some of our most talented musical theatre actresses. Let's evaluate who has played Hart in the original production: Gwen Verdon, Liza Minnelli, Ann Reinking...and now Ashley Simpson in the revival? Good for her, she can "pull it off." Please...

[allofmylife]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 12:27am

Exactly. Here's an example: Karen Ziemba is on the site we won't mention doing "All That Jazz" and she goes to stage right and Bebe Neuwirth enters to join her (huge applause). Now Karen is very, very talented, but beside Bebe, you see the number done spot-on perfectly (Bebe) and done very well (Karen). They do the rag together (in almost perfect unison) but Bebe looks like pure Fosse and Karen - who is in her own rights a Broadway star - just is not as perfectly formed as Bebe. Even someone with all Karen's talent isn't necessarily a perfect match for Bebe.

Now imagine if they went stage left and Ashlee Simpson joined them. Are you seriously going to tell me that she could hold her own with Karen, not to even mention Bebe?

I guess what has happened is a gradual dimishing of the lead actor's abilities in the show until someone who looks to me pretty amateur can "pull it off" because she isn't dancing side-by-side with one of the original leads.

Watch that tape again and try to imagine what words would spill out of Bob Fosse's mouth at the end.

Hmmmm....