Chicago - Cleveland, OH - 8/6

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 8/6/05 at 5:29pm

Seeing the national tour tonight with Brenda Braxton as Velma and Michelle DeJean as Roxie. Look for a review later tonight or tomorrow morning...I am going out afterwards.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 11:25pm

Alright. Here goes nothing...Chicago is a hard show to review.

Last night, I saw the Japan-bound national tour of Chicago at the State Theatre in Cleveland, OH. This 3-show engagement was basically a dress rehearsal for the new cast members / crew before they went overseas...Camille Saviola's (Matron Mama Morton) bio already had "Ms. Saviola is thrilled and honored to have had the opportunity to perform in Japan for the Japanese people."

In March, I saw the same tour in Akron @ EJ Thomas Hall, with Terra C. MacLeod (Velma), Bianca Marroquin (Roxie), Tom Wopat (Billy), and Carol Woods (Matron Mama Morton). EJ Thomas Hall can make anyone sound powerful with some of the world's best acoustics. Maybe this is why I thought this cast was much more powerful and energenic than the current cast, with Brenda Braxton (Velma), Michelle DeJean (Roxie), Obba Babatunde (Billy), and Camille Saviola (Matron Mama Morton). Powerful sound leads to more energy. Each cast member played the roles very differently.

The current cast is in wonderful shape, though...lots of Chicago vets. I have always wanted to see Brenda Braxton live and she did not disappoint. The perfect example of a triple threat.

Michelle DeJean did disappoint a little. Michelle played the role so differently compared to Bianca. Bianca was more of clueless Roxie, a lot funnier. Michelle was a sexy Roxy, who knew what she did and did not care. I enjoyed Bianca's take better.

I think anyone with a decent voice could pull off the role of Billy Flynn. It was great to hear Obba's voice and see him live...I am used to hearing him on the Dreamgirls recording.

Camille has a powerful voice...had the audience clapping before the song ended. Not much chemistry with the others, though.

I love the audience reaction when Mary Sunshine (the wonderful R. Bean) is revealed as a man...

I saw Kevin Carolan both times, and this is a perfect role for him...no wonder he has been with the show for so long.

The ensemble, including T. Oliver Reid (one of BWW's Gypsy of the Month for La Cage) and Mia Price (who I saw and met in 2003 in Cleveland after the Millie tour), is top-notch.

This production is all about the performers, but I absolutely LOVE the lighting design...I love the entire look of the show. Fits perfectly.

If you have any specific questions, just ask.

More info: https://www.broadwayworld.com/showinfo.cfm?showid=382

Cast bios coming soon!

Updated On: 8/7/05 at 11:25 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 11:41pm

Great review!

I love Michelle DeJean. She is usually the sexy girl in Broadway ensemble, everyone talks about the tall sexy redhead.

I think her Roxie is definitely different. She played Roxie very drunk and loopy in the opening scenes, when I saw her. I'm just finally glad she is getting her big break. Because she is usually just an ensemble girl. She is a fantastic dancer, and she actually dosen't get to show off her wonderful moves that much with Roxie. And the girl can sinnng.

And Brenda has the whole package. Her voice is smokey and soulful.

I do think though - Michelle & Brenda make an odd pair together. Brenda is short, and she occasionaly overpowers Michelle when their duets. Brenda overpowered Paige Davis A LOT also.

But, i'm glad you enjoyed it!