Chicago -- May 11 performance

[broadwayguy2]

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

[Phantom2]

Posted: 5/11/04 at 11:14pm

What did the cow look like?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 5/11/04 at 11:17pm

It was just the outline of a cow's head and horns asif you were looking at it from the front...

[Phantom2]

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!

Updated On: 5/11/04 at 11:20 PM

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 5/11/04 at 11:27pm

Ha ha ha ha. Ooh so true indeed.

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

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]

Posted: 5/11/04 at 11:40pm

Most definately. Especiallly ina concert style staging....

Wayne Brady and Paige Davis.......

[DAME]

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.

[Corine2]

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.

[DAME]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:05am

Pigalle is delicious. So whats this about a cow?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:05am

No... I BELIEVE it started with an S and it on 49th

[DAME]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:06am

Sams?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:12am

No... 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]

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!

[Corine2]

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]

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]

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

[DAME]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:26am

I have her on Video tape singing "Kiss Today Goodbye "when she was on Phil Donohue years ago.

[CJR]

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.

[DAME]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:29am

Ok. I can do it for you over the weekend.

[broadwayguy2]

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]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:40am

Tom Wopat is very well known for his hugeness.

[NYUstud]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 12:46am

I haven't seen the current cast, but I hope you liked the show over all. IT's MY FAVE!

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

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]

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!