Chicago National Tour

[HollidayForever]

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?

[Joshua488]

Posted: 1/3/07 at 5:10am

When I saw Christopher McDonald as Billy on Broadway, he cracked at the end of "All I Care About" as well.

[FosseForever3]

Posted: 1/3/07 at 11:40am

hey, good review! I will always consider Chicago my "first" bway show too (I saw Joseph...Dreamcoat when I was 4 and Cats when I was 7 but whatever; Chicago was third) Michelle is absolutely amazing, glad you enjoyed!!

Updated On: 1/3/07 at 11:40 AM

[Sharon Lover]

Posted: 1/3/07 at 12:11pm

Hi everybody sorry I'm late the babysitter was late and my little girl magic started tearing the stereo apart. Wow Broadwayworld.com, I finally made it, never in a million years would I have guessed. Well I'm THE friend that Hollidayforever so GRACIOUSLY mentioned who loves Melba's Moore. I was quite content with her stagedoor behavior, hell she was tired and the woman in in her sixties. I know my grandmother wouldn't have wanted to stand in the cold and be stalked by some 6'1" ___ pound fan due to her recent stagedoor tragedies. But she was NICE and SWEET and agreed to take a picture and did say a little to me. She proabably didn't talk much because I was talking throughout, I tend to get carried away. Ask Sharon Wilkins. Just because she wasn't jumping up and down, offered us to come to her hotel room, or threw dentyne ice on the floor(inside joke) doesn't mean that she was smug or rude. I thought her performance was great seeing as how I can only compare her to Queen Latifah. Can we talk about her in Hairspray! I think that it is sad that we put these stars in roles that they can't handle, have we learned nothing from Beyonce's Deena. Oh Lordy, I's done stared a riot. But back to MELBA'S (this is so gay) I loved her rendition of WYGTM and yes she did seem a little uncomfortable with her lines, I won't lie, but she was funny as hell when she was on it (Fifty Bucks). But I will not comment on the rest of the show because I don't like to be mean. I guess its time to go address the thread about where has black broadway gone because I have a few choice words to say to some of these BAMF. Figure it out for yourselves. SHARON WILKINS FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!! oh and MELBA'S MOORE!!!!!!!

[CJR]

Posted: 1/3/07 at 12:36pm

Terra is a wonderful Velma. Though she's a friend of mine, she's still not my favorite (my loyalties lie with Roxane Carrasco on that one), but she typically gives a solid and dependable performance. If her voice was weak at times, know that she was out sick for a number of performances when beginning back on tour last week and she's usually quite the powerhouse.

Michelle DeJean IS a phenomenal Roxie. I adore her.

www.terracmacleod.com

www.michelledejean.com

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 1/3/07 at 3:32pm

I was there, I actually won tickets off of the contest they had on this site.

I stage doored with my girlfriend, but she just stood away while I got the autographs. So, I might have seen you there. I took a picture with Christopher right before he took off. I said, "Can I get a picture?" And he was like, "Hurry up, make it quick." Meeting him kind of just left a bad taste in my mouth. The guy flat out scares me.

What do you look like? Cause I saw the very few people there too. Were you one of the guys that were going gaga over Melba? :-P

Anyway, I got Ron's autograph, Christopher's, Melba's, and that's it because I didn't stick around any longer.

I did enjoy the production, and I think that the nicest one I met was definately Ron. He called my girlfriend a cutie, and we chatted a little. He was definately one of my favorites too, Amos was a great character.

Updated On: 1/3/07 at 03:32 PM

[Sharon Lover]

Posted: 1/3/07 at 6:18pm

I wouldn't say gaga but simply showing an icon how much I appreciated her... and yes I was one of the guys. He don't scare me none! I kinda wasn't pressed to see McDonald but I can believe that he said what he said and if it were me then McDonald would have gotten tips on how not to crack...I'm so sorry ya'll I just get upset over performers who are blatantly rude. I mean he lived across the street from the theater and is gonna say "Make it quick"? Hell to the no. Look at me showing my color. Let me stop. But honestly, that comment he made was rude and I am sorry that he acted like that toward you after waiting in the cold for over a half hour on Baltimore street, one of the worst streets in the world.
SHARON WILKINS FOREVER!!!!!! oh and Melba's Moore too!!!!

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 1/3/07 at 11:47pm

Eh, it's alright. At least he was entertaining in the show.

[Joshua488]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 2:57am

Maybe he was in a bad mood because he cracked. Again.

[emo_geek]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 3:43am

When I staged doored with Melba during Brooklyn (Last show- last stop), She was the nicest she could have been. She chatted with everyone, she made jokes, she asked questions, she took pics, and she signed and personalized everything you wanted. She was a true piece of work because she had just given one of the funniest and best performances I had ever seen. I love Melba Moore!!!

[HumATune]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 5:41am

I saw the show while it was in San Fran a few times. I also loved Michelle as Roxy. Ron and Terra were also excellent.

I saw Melba in Brooklyn and yeah Paradice had a limp. She also forgot a line there, too (and that was by the END of the tour). I've heard that she's sort of a trainwreck as Mama.

[Sharon Lover]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 8:04am

She wasn't a trainwreck. I mean lets be honest its not too much to the role but stating a few dates and prices during WYGTM and announcing people. She was funny and her character was kind of a butch older grandmother type who still had her hand in the cookie jar. I dunno if that's how they all play it but hey I think she did great for what she had. She sounded great during her songs and I wish that she had more. And her line mess ups were more of stumbling over words and not forgetting them, I want to make that clear.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 1:59pm

Michelle is fantastic as Roxie. I saw her on Broadway last month.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 2:25pm

It's really funny to read the first post in which the writer criticizes people who write their opinions on this board for being too harsh and biased. Well, all opinions are biased. They are opinions.

Then comes an opinion-filled blow-by-blow description of the night at the theatre that is filled with far too many "likes" for an actual non-tween to be using, like, know what I, like, mean? And, like, those opinions could, like, easily be read as like, harsh? Ya know?

Not that it wasn't funny to read the tale of Miss Moore doing her best to get away from what read as a couple of fairly scary-sounding people outside of the stage door. That was really fun to read. Run, Melba, run!

Also, like, Google didn't, like, exist 12 years ago when you were, like, 8 HollidayForever. Maybe you, like, Alta Vistaed her after you saw her at this church in Baltimore?

Whatever. Please continue to post as your first effort was extremely entertaining.

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 3:44pm

NamoNamoNamo

LOL

Too funny!

[HollidayForever]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 5:15pm

Oh Namo, that's great really great. I really thank you for your post because it pointed out the exact childish, random, stupid **** that annoys me about broadwayworld.com

By the By...that is what I consider harsh. I mean you can choose Webster's take on the word. "causing a disagreeable or painful sensory reaction". So if my "likes" cause a painful sensory reaction to you, then you can like kiss my ass. (once again...my definition of being harsh)

I know that opinions are biased, but they don't have to always be harsh....(which I see is your style, judging by other threads you have commented on). Some people on this site make comments that are clearly based on unintelligent assumptions that don't take in other factors. For every negative aspect of the show I commented on, I made sure to mention a positive one as well. For example, Melba might have seemed out of her element when she was acting...but granted she just joined the show, I said hopefully she will improve.

I also mentioned that I knew of her troubles at previous stage doors...therefore we took into account that she might feel overwhelmed if we just ran up to her. That is why we got her attention, and started a decent civilized conversation....even if on the inside we wanted to just jump on her and give her a big hug. I'm sorry Namo if that came of as being "scary-sounding" to you.

In reference to the google comment... I said "like eight" ....I can't really remember how old I was.....but I do thank you for doing the math.

So Namo, once again Namo I like want to like thank you for your like your post. My efforts may have been entertaining...as yours have been pitiful (once again....harsh)

I guess you really did use to have an edge…...(once again harsh).