CHICAGO Cast Changes- Page 2

[CJR]

Posted: 11/15/04 at 11:20pm

I love Charlotte, but she's not my favorite Roxie

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/15/04 at 11:22pm

Who is yours?

[CJR]

Posted: 11/15/04 at 11:23pm

Tracy Shayne and Bianca Marroquin

[Ellie3]

Posted: 11/15/04 at 11:26pm

Bianca is the only one I've seen, apart from Renee, and she was damn good indeed.

[CJR]

Posted: 11/15/04 at 11:28pm

I'm kinda partial to both of them, but Bibi, er, Bianca is fabulously talented

Updated On: 11/15/04 at 11:28 PM

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 11/16/04 at 12:24am

Brenda Braxton is the best Velma. So much better than Ann Reinking or Bbeb Neuwirth.

[justme2]

Posted: 11/16/04 at 2:26am

CJR -

New poster here...only because I joined to post a review for White Christmas! You seem like you know about the Chicago info from your press job, can you tell me anything about Walter Bobbie? This guy has really blown me away with "White Christmas" out here in SF, and there seems to be very little discussion about this director on this site...and I've done the search!! I saw Chicago with Bianca and Roz Ryan(I think) and saw it about 2 years ago (I think it was) with Charlotte. Both times I was duly impressed as well, although I think Bianca was the best I'd seen! We had some teeny bopper singer playing Billy Flynn though, and It was annoying to here the tweenies scream every time he came on stage!!

Thanks!

[goingagain]

Posted: 11/16/04 at 7:19am

I am not sure if you are referring to Kevin Richardson as Billy Flynn or not, but I saw him in it and he was incredible. Critics said he was the best Billy ever, which I believe. I too, was annoyed with people who could not hold in their enthusiasm, but it did not break his concentration at all. The theatre is not a place to hold conversations. I had front row Sunday afternoon, and an older gentleman kept talking to his wife a couple of seats over as well as a conversation behind me. That is sooo disturbing. I finally leaned around my husband and glared at the man, who then told his wife he needed to stop talking. Sidenote, it was not Mr. Richardson's fault that the audience lacked etiquette. A fellow cast member of his told me that he was top notch and a true professional.
I really miss Rob Bartlett in the Amos role. PJ did fine, but he lacked the depth that Rob had in it.

I am anxious to hear who will be the next Billy also, but must say that Wayne Brady pulled off the singing very well.

[CJR]

Posted: 11/16/04 at 8:08am

I actually liked Kevin as Billy. Granted, he wasn't the best, but he did a lot better than I ever expected him to. I was more than pleasantly surprised by his performance.

What do you want to know about Walter Bobbie? Side note, before I was working in PR I was still Chicago's 'it girl' haha

Oh bronx, hush lol

I'm off to jump in the shower and get to work... I need my coffee and wonder of all wonders, there is no Starbucks between me and my train station in CT. Meanwhile, I walk past 8 of them between Grand Central and my office lol

~Heather

Updated On: 11/16/04 at 08:08 AM

[tthomas76]

Posted: 11/16/04 at 8:24am

Sorry but I was not that impressed w/ Brenda Braxton when I saw her in September on tour. She was not bad but she was not the best I've seen. My favorite Velmas have been:

Deidre Goodwin and Roxane Carrasco.

I do totally agree that Roxane would dance circles around anyone playing Velma. She was awesome!

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/16/04 at 8:27am

Roxane has an INSANE belt. I sat third row center last time I saw Chicago and when she stood on the apron during Cell Block Tango, looked me DEAD in the eyes, and started belting, I could literally feel her voice vibrate through me.

[CJR]

Posted: 11/16/04 at 8:52am

Haha yes, yes she does.

And the note she hits at the end of All That Jazz..... well, let's just say I call it 'the wonder note' with good reason

Posted: 11/16/04 at 9:27am

How is Ann Nathan as Mama? I'd bet she's great.

[tthomas76]

Posted: 11/16/04 at 9:43am

So all that being said I think the 3 of us vote for Roxane to take over for Velma! She's great.

[CJR]

Posted: 11/16/04 at 10:51am

I quite like Ann as Mama. Again, not my favorite (Michele Pawk, Roz Ryan and Roxane take the cake on that one), but she's quite enjoyable.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/16/04 at 10:51am

Roz was FABULOUS.

[CJR]

Posted: 11/16/04 at 11:43am

Roz is the woman! Love. Her. The voice on her.... good lord above. She does a cabaret show from time to time when she's in NYC... it's definitely not to be missed

And what a doll too!

[BroadwayBaby]

Posted: 11/16/04 at 1:12pm

Count me in as a vote for Rox to take over as Velma. I can't talk her up enough. HELLO Mr. and Mrs. Producers, give Rox a fair shot she deserves to be Velma for a good 6 month (if not more) run.

[goingagain]

Posted: 11/16/04 at 1:21pm

I had only seen Roz in the role of Mama and was a bit saddened that she is no longer doing it on Broadway. Anne Nathan did a fabulous job though, and I was pleasantly surprised. After the show she was very kind to the fans who recognized her coming out. She really pulled off a good Mama.

[CJR]

Posted: 11/16/04 at 2:34pm

BroadwayBaby, do I know you? You talk as if you're friends with Rox and not just a fan..... (I don't know many fans who really refer to her as Rox and not Roxane)

[CJR]

Posted: 11/16/04 at 2:36pm

Also, Roz is playing Mama on tour currently... gotta spread the talent across the country! lol

[kayleric]

Posted: 11/16/04 at 4:31pm

CJR, I'll be in NY on 11/27 and I'm hoping to see Chicago again. Any thoughts on the rush for that day? Is it a good idea or would getting tickets in advance be the best way to go? Thanks so much!

[CJR]

Posted: 11/16/04 at 4:35pm

I have no idea what the rush has been like... I actually haven't rushed tickets in years.

I would go with just buying your tickets in advance. Who knows what it will be like with the holidays.

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 11/16/04 at 8:09pm

CJR didn't we have a fight about the rush seats and now you';re saying you havn't been in them in the new theatre? hmm

[justme2]

Posted: 11/16/04 at 10:10pm

CJR-

I've followed the Chicago threads for awhile (loved the tourting casts in 2000, 2002, etc that came through SF) and can't help but notice that you have a press connection to the show! This to me is an oportunity not to pass up! I am constantly impressed by Bobbie's work and just for the sake of it would like to talk to anyone else that's had a chance to work with him. The three dancers from White Christmas that we know seem to think he's some kind of genius. Were you as impressed with your contact with him? Is he indeed worthy of all this praise? Or was this most recent show a fluke?
It's all in the line of curiosity,baby! And thanks in advance!