#1
Posted: 1/3/07 at 4:25am
So I just got back from seeing the national tour of Chicago....that just came to Baltimore yesterday. I must began by saying that I am new at this whole posting thing.....but have read plenty of other threads...on this site. So I will begin by saying that often I don't agree with some people's opinions on this site because I feel that it is harsh and biased. Therefore, I will prelude everything I say with..... I am an actor also....therefore I know the challenges of doing a show nightly...Granted I am only still in college, so I can imagine that doing this eight times a week, and the pressure of moving from city to city is crazy. That is why I applaud any performer who even dares to walk on a stage.....because I know it isn't easy and I aspire to be in there shoes one day.
I said all of that to say that...no matter what I may say.....I still respect the actor immensely, and feel that other people should as well when they post reviews.
First of all I saw Chicago on Broadway when I was like 16 in 2003. It starred Melanie Griffith as Roxie and Deirdre Goodwin (SP) as Velma......it wasn't a good show...if it wasn't for Ms. Goodwin it would have been a God awful I want my money back horrible show. I fell asleep in the middle of the first act....along with some other patrons. I really wanted the show to be good ( since it was my first Broadway show) but it wasn't. Needless to say when I found out it was coming to Baltimore...I wasn't really jumping to get tickets. However I found out that Melba's Moore (I put the ('s) because my friend found it funnier to say her name that way).... Anyway, Melba's Moore was Mama and Christopher Mc Donald was Billy. I still really didn't want to go....however a friend of mine made me.
So.....I will go character by Character to make this as easy and coherent as possible.
Velma Kelly - played by Terra C. Macleod....I was extremely pleased with her performance....granted I seemed to like Deirdre’s performance better but Terra's Velma was really good. Her Velma was confident....bitchy when needed...funny when needed especially during "My baby and Me". Her voice was clear...although he tended to stylize her songs a little much, (it was really noticeable during "All That Jazz" ) I appreciated the effort. Her voice was a little weak at times....but granted with all the dancing, stress from touring, and having a long run ahead of her, it's understandable. Her dancing was really good as well, she captured the "fosseness" wonderfully, you could take your eyes off her hands and visually she was a pleasure to watch. Unfortunately she was out shadowed by Roxie.
Roxie Hart - played by Michelle DeJean......who just left Broadway....Michelle made the show for me.....ahhhhh where to begin. Her Roxie was beautifully complex and strong. She had just the right amount of mental retardation, bitchyness, funniness, sass, and drive to deliver this role. She made even the most boring parts of the show hilarious. The whole monologue leading into "Roxie" and after was ridiculous. She played with the conductor, she did audience participation, and she even threw in a little acrobatic trick for us. Her comedic timing was impeccable, her singing was clear and resonant, her dancing was entertaining....and in general she just shined. It wasn't until intermission, when I decided to read her bio that I realized she played to role on Broadway for 4 years...and was asked to do the 10th anniversary show.....and I can honestly see why. During " They Both Reached For the Gun" she seemed as though she didn't have a bone in her body. She was amazing.
Mama Morton - Melba Moore.....Okay so I must say that in general I only find Melba's Moore voice impressive only if she is belting above an A or holding a note for longer than 45 seconds.....( and she really can people) So I was really anxious to see what she would do with "WYGTM" (okay, so that was my ode to people who love shortening names of shows and songs) So anyway, Melba came out....(on a cane I guess due to her prolonged injuries from Brooklyn I heard so much about on this site) granted it fit the character well. So she started the song and of course it was pretty average...until the ending..Which she held long after the orchestra cut off. I must say that overall it was a very impressive rendition of the song. Unfortunately, when she started her scenes, you could quickly see that she wasn't comfortable with her lines. She messed up a few words.....and generally she seemed unconnected and random. Granted she just joined the show, so hopefully she will improve with time.
Christopher Mc Donald - Billy Flynn - So he also played the role on Broadway as well. I found him to be very adequate...he wasn't amazing....but he was good. He cracked vocally during the long note he holds at the end of "All I Care About Is Love". But he recovered and I admired that. His singing was deep and melodious, he had charm, and his dancing was fine. If you notice, I can't really get to specific, because he was just okay.
Amos Hart - Ron Orbach - This is easily one of the hardest roles to play on Broadway....because it is so BORING. But in mister Orbach's hands....it was so touching. Especially, during Mr. Cellophane....he even elicited a few "aawwwwwww'ssss" from the audience multiple times during his performance. You really felt bad for this guy because you genuinely felt like he really didn't have a clue. He didn't have a strong voice vocally but his acting more than made up for what he was lacking (granted for this role.....you don't really need a voice). Overall, I thought his performance was believable and very well done.
In general the ensemble was good....granted this a heavy dance show with most of the dance accents having to correspond with the music. Therefore, the singing was a little weak at times......(with good reason) however, their energy was really good.
The music was awful....the sound was either too low...or when they decided to blare the horns seemed loud and out of tune.
I seemed to remember the lights being a lot more precise....especially the spotlights in the Broadway show. On tour they just look as if the brought up the "specials" and then the actors walked into the light.
Overall, it was a good performance...much better than the Broadway version I saw years before. Granted half of the people in it were straight from the Broadway cast. It also made me realize what a great job the recent movie remake did with filling in a lot of plot potholes that are in the Broadway show. If you don't already know Chicago....going to see the show is just torture in my opinion.
So after the show we stood at the stage door...and waited. Now I must say, what I am about to say is my own personal opinion. You may disagree, but its how I felt.
My friend who is obsessed with Melba Moore, ( I mean....almost went to Philly in order to see her) waited with me at the stage door. In general it's pretty awkward when you stand at the stage door and the ensemble comes out...and you really don't know if they were in the show, or stage crew, or what part they actually played, and your really trying to await your favorites to come out....and you get that awkward stare...and you respond with the awkward "great show" comment....I don't know about you...but it's always odd for me. Anyway, we waited for Melba’s to come out...and it looked as if she was trying to get away. My friend quickly got her attention and began to strike up a conversation. We began to list experiences we had of her from our past. For example, when she came to Baltimore to give a concert at this church....when I was like 8, and I went home and googled her all night. We tried everything to make her feel comfortable to talk to us, given her previous troubles at stage doors. Granted I know she was cold, and maybe tired, and generally don't like stage doors, but when a person waits their whole life to meet you...maybe you could act a little more excited...she did agree to take a picture....but after that she just walked away. She answered our questions…but nothing more. Did I mention there were only like three people at the stage door.....myself, my friend, and another girl. People in Baltimore ain’t too pressed on meeting actors. So she had time. Granted, I will admit, maybe she didn't feel like talking, or maybe that is just the way she is. But when someone tells you they were willing to go to another state to see you....maybe that should make you realize this is a truly devoted fan. Granted, she might meet some of those everyday, but I felt she was very cold, and unpersonable.
Finally, Christopher came out last, with a sharpie in hand ready to sign autographs. He quickly wrote something on my playbill, made a comment about how it was his first show....that's why he wasn't billed and took off down the street. Once again....I will admit, everyone has their own personal issues....and maybe he had other things on his mind....but he seemed extremely pompous and arrogant. In fact, two kids who didn't see the show quickly realized who he was and ran after him down the street to say hi. He kept walking, he then quickly turned around and yelled something and kept walking. Did I mention at this point it was only like two people at the stage door.
I don't know maybe I was expecting them to stick around and talk like some members of the ensemble.....and the guy who played Amos.....also like I said, there wasn't many of us.
Overall...it was an interesting experience....we normally don’t get very good tours to come through Baltimore. Most of the time the show is tired and ran down by the time it reaches us. I must say that I was presently surprised to see a half decent production of Chicago.
What do you guys think, Has anyone seen it?
I said all of that to say that...no matter what I may say.....I still respect the actor immensely, and feel that other people should as well when they post reviews.
First of all I saw Chicago on Broadway when I was like 16 in 2003. It starred Melanie Griffith as Roxie and Deirdre Goodwin (SP) as Velma......it wasn't a good show...if it wasn't for Ms. Goodwin it would have been a God awful I want my money back horrible show. I fell asleep in the middle of the first act....along with some other patrons. I really wanted the show to be good ( since it was my first Broadway show) but it wasn't. Needless to say when I found out it was coming to Baltimore...I wasn't really jumping to get tickets. However I found out that Melba's Moore (I put the ('s) because my friend found it funnier to say her name that way).... Anyway, Melba's Moore was Mama and Christopher Mc Donald was Billy. I still really didn't want to go....however a friend of mine made me.
So.....I will go character by Character to make this as easy and coherent as possible.
Velma Kelly - played by Terra C. Macleod....I was extremely pleased with her performance....granted I seemed to like Deirdre’s performance better but Terra's Velma was really good. Her Velma was confident....bitchy when needed...funny when needed especially during "My baby and Me". Her voice was clear...although he tended to stylize her songs a little much, (it was really noticeable during "All That Jazz" ) I appreciated the effort. Her voice was a little weak at times....but granted with all the dancing, stress from touring, and having a long run ahead of her, it's understandable. Her dancing was really good as well, she captured the "fosseness" wonderfully, you could take your eyes off her hands and visually she was a pleasure to watch. Unfortunately she was out shadowed by Roxie.
Roxie Hart - played by Michelle DeJean......who just left Broadway....Michelle made the show for me.....ahhhhh where to begin. Her Roxie was beautifully complex and strong. She had just the right amount of mental retardation, bitchyness, funniness, sass, and drive to deliver this role. She made even the most boring parts of the show hilarious. The whole monologue leading into "Roxie" and after was ridiculous. She played with the conductor, she did audience participation, and she even threw in a little acrobatic trick for us. Her comedic timing was impeccable, her singing was clear and resonant, her dancing was entertaining....and in general she just shined. It wasn't until intermission, when I decided to read her bio that I realized she played to role on Broadway for 4 years...and was asked to do the 10th anniversary show.....and I can honestly see why. During " They Both Reached For the Gun" she seemed as though she didn't have a bone in her body. She was amazing.
Mama Morton - Melba Moore.....Okay so I must say that in general I only find Melba's Moore voice impressive only if she is belting above an A or holding a note for longer than 45 seconds.....( and she really can people) So I was really anxious to see what she would do with "WYGTM" (okay, so that was my ode to people who love shortening names of shows and songs) So anyway, Melba came out....(on a cane I guess due to her prolonged injuries from Brooklyn I heard so much about on this site) granted it fit the character well. So she started the song and of course it was pretty average...until the ending..Which she held long after the orchestra cut off. I must say that overall it was a very impressive rendition of the song. Unfortunately, when she started her scenes, you could quickly see that she wasn't comfortable with her lines. She messed up a few words.....and generally she seemed unconnected and random. Granted she just joined the show, so hopefully she will improve with time.
Christopher Mc Donald - Billy Flynn - So he also played the role on Broadway as well. I found him to be very adequate...he wasn't amazing....but he was good. He cracked vocally during the long note he holds at the end of "All I Care About Is Love". But he recovered and I admired that. His singing was deep and melodious, he had charm, and his dancing was fine. If you notice, I can't really get to specific, because he was just okay.
Amos Hart - Ron Orbach - This is easily one of the hardest roles to play on Broadway....because it is so BORING. But in mister Orbach's hands....it was so touching. Especially, during Mr. Cellophane....he even elicited a few "aawwwwwww'ssss" from the audience multiple times during his performance. You really felt bad for this guy because you genuinely felt like he really didn't have a clue. He didn't have a strong voice vocally but his acting more than made up for what he was lacking (granted for this role.....you don't really need a voice). Overall, I thought his performance was believable and very well done.
In general the ensemble was good....granted this a heavy dance show with most of the dance accents having to correspond with the music. Therefore, the singing was a little weak at times......(with good reason) however, their energy was really good.
The music was awful....the sound was either too low...or when they decided to blare the horns seemed loud and out of tune.
I seemed to remember the lights being a lot more precise....especially the spotlights in the Broadway show. On tour they just look as if the brought up the "specials" and then the actors walked into the light.
Overall, it was a good performance...much better than the Broadway version I saw years before. Granted half of the people in it were straight from the Broadway cast. It also made me realize what a great job the recent movie remake did with filling in a lot of plot potholes that are in the Broadway show. If you don't already know Chicago....going to see the show is just torture in my opinion.
So after the show we stood at the stage door...and waited. Now I must say, what I am about to say is my own personal opinion. You may disagree, but its how I felt.
My friend who is obsessed with Melba Moore, ( I mean....almost went to Philly in order to see her) waited with me at the stage door. In general it's pretty awkward when you stand at the stage door and the ensemble comes out...and you really don't know if they were in the show, or stage crew, or what part they actually played, and your really trying to await your favorites to come out....and you get that awkward stare...and you respond with the awkward "great show" comment....I don't know about you...but it's always odd for me. Anyway, we waited for Melba’s to come out...and it looked as if she was trying to get away. My friend quickly got her attention and began to strike up a conversation. We began to list experiences we had of her from our past. For example, when she came to Baltimore to give a concert at this church....when I was like 8, and I went home and googled her all night. We tried everything to make her feel comfortable to talk to us, given her previous troubles at stage doors. Granted I know she was cold, and maybe tired, and generally don't like stage doors, but when a person waits their whole life to meet you...maybe you could act a little more excited...she did agree to take a picture....but after that she just walked away. She answered our questions…but nothing more. Did I mention there were only like three people at the stage door.....myself, my friend, and another girl. People in Baltimore ain’t too pressed on meeting actors. So she had time. Granted, I will admit, maybe she didn't feel like talking, or maybe that is just the way she is. But when someone tells you they were willing to go to another state to see you....maybe that should make you realize this is a truly devoted fan. Granted, she might meet some of those everyday, but I felt she was very cold, and unpersonable.
Finally, Christopher came out last, with a sharpie in hand ready to sign autographs. He quickly wrote something on my playbill, made a comment about how it was his first show....that's why he wasn't billed and took off down the street. Once again....I will admit, everyone has their own personal issues....and maybe he had other things on his mind....but he seemed extremely pompous and arrogant. In fact, two kids who didn't see the show quickly realized who he was and ran after him down the street to say hi. He kept walking, he then quickly turned around and yelled something and kept walking. Did I mention at this point it was only like two people at the stage door.
I don't know maybe I was expecting them to stick around and talk like some members of the ensemble.....and the guy who played Amos.....also like I said, there wasn't many of us.
Overall...it was an interesting experience....we normally don’t get very good tours to come through Baltimore. Most of the time the show is tired and ran down by the time it reaches us. I must say that I was presently surprised to see a half decent production of Chicago.
What do you guys think, Has anyone seen it?
