CHICAGO - Here we go again-- Page 4

[NBC]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 11:26am

Just a few random comments...

I have heard others complain about Ruthie's recent UK performance as Velma, which I didn't see, but I have to say when she did the role on Broadway in 1999, she was terrific. She was in great voice, with a very sassy and sexy characterization...not as much of a Fosse dancer as Bebe Neuwirth, of course, but I really thought she gave a very solid performance. One of my favorites.

No, in Chicago understudies don't usually do the matinees (which is sometimes unfortunate!), the principals are usually contracted for eight shows a week - the only person in recent memory who didn't do all the shows was Jennifer Holliday as Mama Morton. So I'm assuming that Marti should be in. (It's just that if someone is going to call in, it seems they are more likely to do so for a matinee than an evening performance, for some reason.)

And finally, when I saw the show at the end of July, the Sprint announcement was still there. It alarms me every time.

[DAME]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 11:57am

Is this some sort of announcement telling people to shut off their cells?

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 12:04pm

Sprint announcement? Is it true? Has the corporate takeover spread?

Sprint Presents, Chicago!

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 12:10pm

Yes, by all accounts, Ruthie was top quality entertainment when she originally assayed the role of Velma on Broadway back in 1999. Which is why I was SO looking forward to seeing her in the role in London, especially after loving her as Roxie. Well, she was bad. She came back way too soon after having her baby and was not physically in shape, she couldn't dance the role very well at all. I Can't Do It Alone was particularly excruciating. Even her acting and singing was deeply underwhelming. Shame.

[NBC]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 12:32pm

The announcement says something to the effect of Sprint welcomes you to Chicago the musical...and I believe there is the usual reminder to turn of your cell phone.

[CJR]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 12:47pm

Yeah, that definitely wasn't there on Friday... maybe they forgot it. I actually didn't even notice it was missing until someone reminded me that it was supposed to be there. The lights just dimmed and Potterf came out on the stage to start the show.

And I agree with NBC -- it's a shame that the understudies don't do matinees

[janem]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 1:15pm

I`d be quite upset if I travelled all the way to NY to see Marti and booked a matinee show not knowing (if it applied) that I`d be getting the understudy..thank god we have you guys to tell us about these things LOL

[CJR]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 1:22pm

I can understand that. I think a lot of us would prefer seeing understudies at matinees.... Although I think our heads would explode to see a cast list like this:

Velma: Donna Marie Asbury or Roxane Carrasco
Roxie: Michelle Potterf or Michelle DeJean
Mama: Roxane Carrasco or Michelle Robinson
Billy: Shawn Emamjomeh
Amos: Denis Jones

[DAME]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 1:43pm

Ok CJR; I took your advice and did some research of your pasts posts; and still no info as to why Bebe would never be back.

[CJR]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 1:59pm

Oh Dame darling, that part of my post wasn't to you! lol

I'll PM you.

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 4:32pm

Isn't CJR the cutest? She really knows her Chicago from seeing it so many times. I guess the revolving cast does keep the show fresh.

[CJR]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 5:31pm

Hahaha awwwe! Thanks Broadwaylady!

[DAME]

Posted: 8/12/04 at 6:19pm

So is Charlotte now the one to perform the Roxie show more than anyone?

[CJR]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 12:34am

She's definitely been brought back the most....

[DAME]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 2:24am

She must really love doing it.

[CJR]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 11:21am

She said once, that it was really enjoyable to come back at different points in her life, to play the role again. That she couldn't believe how much she's grown and changed with the role of Roxie over the years.

I adore her Roxie... but for as much as I love her, I won't be making a return trip anytime soon.