Chicago

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 10:22am

I saw Chicago last night and enjoyed myself thoroughly! Great job by Luba Mason and Charlotte D'Ambroise(sp?)! I was a little confused at the end during the "Honey Rag" because they stated in the program that this number used original Fosse chorography yet they didn't do a cartwheel/split at the end of the number. Was this portion taken out at some point? The only reason I'm asking is because I'm accustomed to the original production clip used in the PBS special. Thanks!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 10:25am

Wasn't last night Debra Monk's first show? How was she?

And I remember a cartwheel/split moment when I saw the show both times.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 10:27am

Debra Monk was not in the show last night. Carol Woods was in as Mama Morton and was fabulous!!!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 10:29am

That's right. Monk's first night is tonight.

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 10:43am

The cartwheel is usually in.

But occasionally they get a performer who can't really cartwheel. So this case it was Luba. Charlotte usually cartwheels though. But the dance captains have the right to change the choregraphy a little for a certain performer. So they can take the cartwheel out for Luba or another actress who can't do it.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 10:46am

Shouldn't they just make them cartwheel before they cast them?

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 10:48am

There are two versions used. The original is the cartwheel split and the alternate is cartwheel and come together hip to hip with outside arms up and inside arms around others waist. The alternate is used most of the time which I prefer as it transitions well into the "f@ck you" curtain speech that they give at the end of the show while throwing roses before the "All That Jazz" reprise.

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 10:53am

Well I heard for a while the dance captains tried one with...

Charlotte cartwheeling, and Luba just standing there. It seems that didn't work that.

Anyway. I wonder how they're going to do it when Brooke comes in, because she cartwheeled in London, but Luba just can't do it.

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 10:59am

And on Broadway.com..

They show dance captain Greg Butler tweaking some moves for Luba.

She also does no high kicks. They say her dancing has style, but she's more of a singer Velma.

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 11:47am

I love Luba Mason but why they cast her as Velma, I'll never know. You need a strong dancer in those roles especially Velma's.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 11:50am

Velma should be a dancer first and a singer second. Mason is an odd choice. She isn't a ticket seller so I know she's not a victim of stunt casting.

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 11:52am

I agree. It was a little shocking when she was first cast. Because she isn't known for dancing.

People have said some good things about her though, so I'm curious how she is in the role, I'll find out later this month - hopefully.

[Parks]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 12:10pm

I thought Luba was still great...

How much longer is Charlotte in the show? Isn't Brooke coming soon?

[Parks]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 12:10pm

I thought Luba was still great...

How much longer is Charlotte in the show? Isn't Brooke coming soon?

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 12:12pm

Yep. Actually Brooke starts this Friday.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 10:20pm

Brooke starts the 9th but then October 30th Charlotte comes back as Roxie. I don't understand why they get a non-dancer Velma, Velma Kelly is supposed to be a triple-threat.

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 10:25pm

Well they say Luba can definitely dance. But they just took away the high kicks and cartwheel - which isn't anything strange for Chicago. There have been a lot times where the cartwheel was taken away, and some Velmas have trouble with the high kicks.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 10:26pm

Luba was great - as a singer.

HEr dancing was OK.

I am going to miss the hell out of Charlotte

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 10:29pm

Charlotte always returns though. I mean come on, she must be a LITTLE tired playing the role since 1997 on and off.

I have a feeling when the show closes, she will DEFINITELY be the Roxie to close the show.

[Sant]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 5:38am

Yeah, Luba's not the first actress to not to pull off those cartwheels. They do alter the choreography for the skills of the actresses playing the leads.

As amazing as it sounds Chita Rivera didn't do them either when she was playing Roxie in London some years ago. She didn't do the 'split-jumps' (i don't know what they're called) at the end of "Me And My Baby" either. But it didn't bother me one bit, since her performance was absolutely amazing and her charisma is beyond compare.

[Jon]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 7:10am

The cartwheel was first removed for Marilu Henner - the very first replacement Roxie. Beb Neuwirth was extremely pissed off that the choreography had to be "dumbed down" for the new "star". When Henner left and Karen Ziemba took over as Roxie, the cartwheel came back.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 10:14am

I'm seeing the show on Saturday for Brooke, and I can't wait!

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 11:25am

ljay - I hope so...but when the show closes, I'm sure there will be tons of stunt casting going on.

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 11:35am

Well. My real dream for closing night would be Ann, Bebe, James and the rest of the original revival leads could return.

But that would NEVER happen. Bebe has made it very clear she will never return to Chicago.

But I still have a feeling Charlotte will close. But hopefully that wont be until another 3-4 years from now..

Updated On: 9/6/05 at 11:35 AM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 11:38am

Mine would be gwen and chita...or Bebe and Charlotte....

OOOO Bebe and Charlotte - yum!