Chicago -- May 11 performance
broadwayguy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
#0Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/11/04 at 11:13pm
Just returned from this evening's performance of Chicago. My reaction to the current stae of the Broadway companny is mixed indeed.
First of all, for those who think EVERY audience at EVERY show at EVERY performance give a standing ovation, rest ssured tha at tonight's curtain call, no a SINGLE person in the Ambassador Theatre stood.
I LIKE the staging of the show.. I have always maintained that. I feel that goood use of the space is employed, but nothing sticks out in my head except for the striplights in the courtroom.. and the lighting in general.
As far as the cast goes Pia Douwes was a sericable Velmaa. Her accent sllipped in andout and she was a fine dancer with astrong voice, but I felt like she warbbled every note she sang like a second rate Joannne Worley.
Charlotte D'Amboise was a great Roxie and I enjoyed her very much. Her interaction with the two VERY cute, and nelly as can be, boys in the first row on house right was great. (I was seated in the third row in the center orchestra, just off of the house right aisle.)
Tom Wopat sure can singe, but he flubbed severall lines tonight and I felt lik he was lacking any sense of warmth.. by that I mean tha2 there wasn't anything about him that said "Hey, watch ME".
Roz Ryan was a wonderfully Jazzy Mamma Mortonand did not disappoint in the least. She was a definate highlight of the show.
D. Sabella was a good MMary Sunshine as well.
In the ensemble, there were a few standouts for me. They are ::
The fabulous and voluptuous Roxanne Carrasco who displayed wonderful dancing ability and a POWERFUL voice in Cell Block Tango.
Jennifer West as Hunyack was great as well. Her and I locked eyes on more than one occasion during several numbers. I LOVE when that happens... one of the joys of live theatre. I also shared extensive eye contact with Ms. Ryan during curtain call.
Denis Jones was a treat to see too... very talented, very nice to look at, and he was REALLY jamming during the entr'acte.
Greg Reuter shone as well annd was very nice fater the show. he was the one person I was able too meet afterward.
SIDE NOTE :: Before the show I had a GREAT dinner at an upscale restaraunt on 49th (same street as the Ambassador) between 8th and 9th. it iis on the south side oof the street and has the cow's head etched onto the glass doors and brass name plate outside..... uh.. I wish recalled the name... but look for it when you are in the area.No doubt pricey, bbut oh so good... and the chocolate mouse I had for dessert was SOOOOO rich
#1re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/11/04 at 11:14pmWhat did the cow look like?
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
broadwayguy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
#2re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/11/04 at 11:17pmIt was just the outline of a cow's head and horns asif you were looking at it from the front...
#3re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/11/04 at 11:20pm
Corine2 is good with restaurants, she will know. Let's try to contact her.
Calling Dr. Corine2, calling Dr. Corine2. Emergency! Come right away!
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
broadwayguy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
GirlfriendFromCanada
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/7/03
#5re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/11/04 at 11:35pm
I keep thinking I should go back and give this show another chance, since I enjoyed the film, but I really can't find it in me. The reason I disliked it so much on my first try (which was before the movie, for the record) was because the cast was so lackluster. I'm sure it was just a bad time for them, but then friends of mine have gone back since then and have felt the same way. We actually have a running joke at my school, because whenever it comes time to chaperon our Chicago trips, instead of fighting over who gets to go, we fight over who the lucky ones are who get to sit it out.
I'll probably give it another try when Wayne Brady starts, and hopefully will enjoy it as a whole a lot more. I think it's a fairly good show, but it's really a musical where the performances and cast have to be up to par or it suffers.
broadwayguy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
#6re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/11/04 at 11:40pm
Most definately. Especiallly ina concert style staging....
Wayne Brady and Paige Davis.......
#7re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/11/04 at 11:40pm
Girl;
I would definitely check it out while Charlotte is playing Roxie. IT IS A GREAT SHOW. And I know many people who have also not liked it on first view and then gone again and now find themselves seeing different casts and road companies.
#8re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:02am
Was it Pigalle on 48th and 8th?
Pigalle is owned by the same owners as Steak Frites and they have a cow in the logo and great food.
#9re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:05amPigalle is delicious. So whats this about a cow?
broadwayguy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
#10re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:05amNo... I BELIEVE it started with an S and it on 49th
#11re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:06amSams?
broadwayguy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
#12re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:12amNo... the name was moe exotic than that. If I think about it, I will look it up while I am in th city tomorrow.
CJR
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/14/03
#13re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:12am
The fabulous and voluptuous Roxanne Carrasco who displayed wonderful dancing ability and a POWERFUL voice in Cell Block Tango.
Eeee!!! That makes me very happy indeed, my dear!
Pigalle doesn't have a cow logo on it. But it is a favorite of mine ![]()
As for Roz as Mama... loooooove her. I have to go say hi -- I havent seen her since her cabaret!
If in Heaven you don't excel, you can always party down in hell...
#14re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:16am
Steak Frites has a cow logo the cow smokes and wears a hat.
I love Pigalle but I love City Crab more.
broadwayguy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
#15re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:19am
CJR,
Having never seen Roxanne before, I made a point of keeping an eyye out for her in the first scene so that I knew who she was and she managed to repeatedly grab my attentiion after that... she was wonderful.
CJR
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/14/03
#16re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:21am
YAY!!!!! I'll have to let her know!
And I'm going to quote you on her website, if that's cool with you
If in Heaven you don't excel, you can always party down in hell...
#17re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:26amI have her on Video tape singing "Kiss Today Goodbye "when she was on Phil Donohue years ago.
CJR
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/14/03
#18re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:27am
GASP OMG
Dame, you know you love me enough to make me a copy and send it to me!!!!
That's like.. THE only thing I don't have, aside from the TV promotional thing she did for ACL in Germany.
If in Heaven you don't excel, you can always party down in hell...
#19re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:29amOk. I can do it for you over the weekend.
broadwayguy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
#20re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:36am
Sure. Feel free to quotelil ole me.
side note :: Tom Wopat is a HUGE spitter when he sings. AVOID front row center!
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#21re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:40amTom Wopat is very well known for his hugeness.
#22re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:46amI haven't seen the current cast, but I hope you liked the show over all. IT's MY FAVE!
GirlfriendFromCanada
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/7/03
#23re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:47am
Tom Wopat always makes me think of the Tom Green Show. TomWO-PAT, TomWO-PAT! Oy.
I think I saw him in 42nd St.!
CJR
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/14/03
#24re: Chicago -- May 11 performance
Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:52am
YAY!!!! Thank you Dame!!! You're the best! *hugs you*
I'll PM you my address ![]()
BG2, consider yourself quoted!
If in Heaven you don't excel, you can always party down in hell...
Videos

