Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
YES!
http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/8970
Oh, those pins!
Wow! Velma and then Roxie! They are such different roles
Oooh Exciting! I'm so used to her Velma on the cast recording, its's hard imagining her singing Roxie's songs.
Aside from Chita Rivera, Ruthie Henshall, and (I think) Frances Ruffelle, who else has played both Roxie and Velma in the show (Broadway or West End)?
I wonder who her Velma will be!
Wow. Nice.
The article states that Ann Reinking will join her, so I assume she will play Velma this time around. I just hope she doesn't try to mimic Chita like she did with Gwen. Ugh!
I was just talking about her on the Chicago movie post. What a coincidence! ; )
Amy Spanger played Roxie, but before, she was Velma's u/s.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
No, the article said she will join Ann Reiking, Marcia Lewis, and Joel Grey for the Anniversary gala.
No, Ann Reinking is just participating in the 10th anniversary celebration. It's a one-night-only thing with her.
But this is beyond fab! I was lucky enough to see her as Velma. Usher didn't get me back to Chicago, but she will. I wonder if her Roxie will be the more dance-intensive version.
cool thats she's back but let her play vel
Oops! Thanks for the correction, Calvin and BSoBW2.
The question is will they restage "And All That Jazz" so she can sing it? Chita as Roxie did that in some production pre-Broadway revival.
Holy frickin' christ, I'm in heaven.
She blew my mind as Velma, and she'll do it again!
Well I know where I'll be on my birthday, 13 Jan!
Swing Joined: 8/29/06
How exciting! This will probably get me to see Chicago again.
Producer2: God, I hope not! It's Velma's song and it should stay Velma's song.
The question is will they restage "And All That Jazz" so she can sing it? Chita as Roxie did that in some production pre-Broadway revival.
Nothing will be restaged. This production has been directed and has been complete for 10 years. She will play Roxie as Roxie is presented in this revival. And she will kick ass.
I would rather see her as Velma again, but I'll take her as Roxie.
Totally wrong for Roxie, but it will be fun to see her do it.
HOLY CRAP! Yes. I will be there.
Another triple threat to add to the list of those who have played both Roxie and Velma. Looks like the main three are, Chita Rivera, Ruthie Henshall, and now Bebe!
Wow, I feel like this came out of nowhere. Can't wait though.
I don't see how she is totally wrong for Roxie? She is quite a versatile actress. I'm sure many thought 60 something year old Chita Rivera would be wrong as Roxie too, but she is ranked among the finest Roxies, and ofcourse she is the ultimte Velma.
It seems the Weisslers and Bebe have seamed their wounds. Or maybe all that drama with them were just rumors?
Anyway this is such a high from the Ashlee Simpson casting.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
do you think she can live up to the bar set by ashlee simpson?
Amazing! I love this! I am so excited to see her. I will probably have to take a special trip just to see it. Hopefully they will get someone equally amazing to step in to Velma. I don't think she's wrong for Velma at all, actually. Not by the revival standards. No more wrong than Ann was in the first place.
She is just the wrong type. She is not warm or vulnerable or any of the qualities you look for when you cast the role of Roxie. Neuwirth has made a career out of playing ice princess because that is what she is.
Chita Rivera was not one of the finest Roxies on record, in fact she was kind of absurd in the role and never would have dared attempt it in New York, but she has always had warmth and charm and that worked in her favor. Neuwirth has no warmth. Zero. None. It's what made her a perfect Velma.
Like Rivera as Roxie, this is simply an interesting experiment and I'm not denying it will be fun to see Neuwirth attempt it. Lots of people have played roles on Broadway in which they are miscast, and with CHICAGO, they are so beyond casting anybody who is at all appropriate for any of the roles they are playing that it hardly matters.
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