Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :(

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Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :(

Posted: 8/8/08 at 7:59pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=30927

I love her, but why?? It's good she got a break from the show. But everyone is tired of her now, and many find her phoneing in her performance these days.

Ugh. Whatever happened to Mya? I wish she could still try it, assuming her foot is healed now.

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :(

Posted: 8/8/08 at 8:12pm

Given I saw Brenda earlier on in her run, but I found her to be a fantastic and highly capable Velma. Lets at least give her a chance, I know that I for one will be returning to see her...

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :(

Posted: 8/8/08 at 8:13pm

She's been returning for the past 4-5 years. She never leaves. She's like Charlotte was before ACL.

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/8/08 at 8:18pm

I know, I saw them together. :)

Updated On: 8/8/08 at 08:18 PM

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/8/08 at 9:32pm

Ugh. Why?

Surely there are other actresses in NY who could play this role.

I have no desire to see Braxton slog her way through it YET AGAIN.

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/8/08 at 10:44pm

Chances are we'll probably see Charlotte back in there again, too.

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re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/8/08 at 10:52pm

Who could blame her though? It's a guaranteed job, the lead role in a hit musical.

Updated On: 8/8/08 at 10:52 PM

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/8/08 at 11:04pm

Good point. And there aren't exactly a ton of roles available to African-American women on Broadway nowadays.

Minorities have much less roles available to compete for on Broadway. Just think of all those Mimis and Angels from RENT that are now going to be trying to get a gig in IN THE HEIGHTS.

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/8/08 at 11:05pm

Well I was talking about Charlotte. But that actually does go for both of them, having a guaranteed job.

Updated On: 8/8/08 at 11:05 PM

#10

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/8/08 at 11:29pm

I saw Brenda in April and she was fantastic! What a performer......such presence and such talent. I loved it.

#11

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/8/08 at 11:42pm

I love Brenda Braxton, and having seen her more than several times in the role, she never fails to entertain.

Velma is such a triple-threat role, it's no wonder that they've never really been able to stunt cast (and I'm sorry, I have major doubts that Mya would have been able to pull it off).

"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008

#12

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/8/08 at 11:57pm

I've had the pleasure of seeing her in the role of Velma a few times, and she's wonderful, but really? They couldn't find SOMEONE else to bring something NEW to Velma, or at least have a new face for an audience to see?

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#13

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/8/08 at 11:59pm

Well the Velma she is replacing was brand new to the role, but they say she wasnt good.

#14

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/9/08 at 12:00am

Is Mya not doing Chicago at all now?

"Chicago is it's own incredible theater town right there smack down in the middle of the heartland. What a great city! I can see why Oprah likes to live there!" - Dee Hoty :-D

#15

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/9/08 at 12:15am

I saw the show on Tuseday and I must say that Nancy Lemenager was very very good as Velma. I have a VERY hazy memory of Brenda so I couldn't be so sure if I remember her being good or not.

I do think that Charlotte will come back to the show after she is done with A Chorus Line.

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#16

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/9/08 at 12:39am

The overwhelming majority of audience members will have not seen the show before, so the fact that Braxton has returned to the cast several times during the run won't affect them at all. And it's good to know that the role is in vary capable hands (and feet).

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#17

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/9/08 at 4:20am

I think Brenda Braxton makes a terrific Velma....but again, if you go in there thinking "oh man she's been doing this forever I bet she phones it in" then thats what youre going to think regardless of how good she is. Forget about her contract and just enjoy the show.

#18

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/9/08 at 8:54am

Brenda and Tom Wopat both for sure going back. Charlotte most likely.

To steal my friend's joke...it's like Wicked in 2010!

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#19

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/9/08 at 3:30pm

I wish they sort of got a brand new set of replacements, from Amos to Velma Kelly. It's unnecessary for the Weisslers to do this since they are making enough money as it is, but it certainly would give a breath of fresh air to the show.

"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

#20

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/9/08 at 9:02pm

Well. Nancy Lemenager was a new Velma, and she's finishing up right now. I wish Luba Mason would come back, now she was a FRESH Velma. She looked absoutely gorgeous on stage, and she has a killer voice.

#21

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/9/08 at 9:06pm

I think Brenda Braxton makes a terrific Velma....but again, if you go in there thinking "oh man she's been doing this forever I bet she phones it in" then thats what youre going to think regardless of how good she is.

When I saw it (for Kecia Lewis-Evans actually), I had no idea who Braxton was period. And trust me. She phoned it in.

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#22

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/10/08 at 1:19am

When I first saw the revival on Broadway, for Debbie Gravitte (who was sadly out), probably about five years ago, I had never heard of her also and I was blown away by her performance. I saw her again when Bebe was back as Roxie, she was still very good, but did lack that pizzaz and energy that really brings that great role to life. I will say that it is a hard role to cast, especially if your into stunt casting. That being said, there is no reason for the constant recycling and when their long engagement effects the overall flow... well something should change.

They should bring in Valarie Pettiford who has never performed the role on Broadway, just London.

#23

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/10/08 at 1:23am

I said it earlier, but I wish they would bring Luba Mason back. It was thrilling to see a blonde Velma again, and she looked amazing with her down. Her dancing wasn't as strong as other Velmas, but her singing and acting were amazing.

#24

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/10/08 at 1:23am

#25

re: Brenda Braxton returns to CHICAGO... :)

Posted: 8/10/08 at 1:43am

I'm with you about Luba Mason. I saw her opposite Brooke Shields nearly three years ago and she was fantastic.

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