Chicago at City Center Encores

[splendero032]

Posted: 7/10/20 at 10:26am

Does anyone out there know who they considered to play Roxie Hart for the City Center Encores version of Chicago? All I know is they had a conflict which is why Ann Reinking ended up doing it. Does someone out there know who it was? 

Thanks!!!! 

[Flowerlovestage5]

Posted: 7/10/20 at 10:29am

I was told it was Donna Mckechnie......

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 7/10/20 at 10:36am

I've always heard Donna as well. I wonder why she never played the role eventually. Possibly because she or her agent at the time thought she should only originate rolls for the press and award consideration? Just seems odd she allegedly really wanted to do it but couldn't get out of some concert work (or State Fair) for the two weeks for encores but then didn't replace Anne at some point. The early replacements weren't stunt cast, they were broadway names like Karen Ziemba and Sandy Duncan. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 7/10/20 at 11:25am

It was Donna. It was never revealed why she dropped out though.

[jv92]

Posted: 7/10/20 at 3:23pm

I heard it was supposed to be Liza, and I've always thought it was an urban legend. It just doesn't make sense, even if she had prior "Roxie" experience. 

Donna makes more sense in every way, especially since she had done a few Encores! beforehand and knew the drill. (FIORELLO! and ALLEGRO, I think? I may be wrong on the latter.) Never knew that! Thanks! Something new every day... 

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 7/10/20 at 4:00pm

Am I crazy or did I hear Faith Prince was talked about, too?

[Jamie Pierce]

Posted: 10/3/20 at 12:09am

When I took a workshop with Ann Reinking, she told the history of the production and she said it was supposed to be Liza.