Chicago detail--anybody remember?

[SamIam3]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 2:18pm

Hi All,
I'm writing a piece about Chicago and there is a detail about the show I can't remember. During the trial, Billy Flynn "exposes" Mary Sunshine as a man. How does he do this and how does Mary Sunshine react? Is he embarassed, trimphant, what? In the original Broadway production, Billy removes her wig and dress and then the two men bow to each other.
Thanks in advance!
Erin

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 3:15pm

FOR ANYONE WHO CARES - SPOILER!!!!!!!!!



During Billy's closing statement, he says something like "Things are not always what they seem." Mary Sunshine starts a cadenza in falsetto, Billy rips off the wig, and Mary sings down into his normal (low) voice, usually posturing and showing off his muscles after ripping the blouse off to reveal a white t-shirt and black suspenders. Usually, Mary will then walk offstage, continuing to posture and make "manly" gestures.
Updated On: 6/7/06 at 03:15 PM

[mathewbrock]

Posted: 6/8/06 at 2:12am

ALSO A SPOILER.....

The above is interesting, and completely different than what happened when I saw the show. Billy does say, "Things are not always as they seem." and rips of the wig. When I saw it, Mary Sunshine did drop octaves, and looked a bit flabbergasted/ offended, and exited. But there was definitely no physical mugging going on to indicate FURTHER that she was a man. If you couldn't tell from the singing, you need to have your ears checked, anyway. I must admit, I saw the show YEARS ago... perhaps things have changed like they tend to do in shows that have runs long enough to span 3 broadway theatres. I also think its a weak moment in the show... I never got whether the audience is supposed to be astounded that M.S. is a man or what. And if not, then what is it there for? Mr. Marshall did well to get rid of it for the movie. In my opinion, the mediocre moment (at best) wouldn't have translated AT ALL on film.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 6/8/06 at 6:03pm

I ahve seen it where "Mary" enjoys being 'outed' and plays it up to the hilt and where "she" is ashamed and kind of embarrased and then rushes off. It may depend on the actor/cast.

Posted: 6/8/06 at 6:44pm

I ahve seen it where "Mary" enjoys being 'outed' and plays it up to the hilt and where "she" is ashamed and kind of embarrased and then rushes off. It may depend on the actor/cast.

Yes, as have I, if I remember correctly.

I agree with mathewbrock -- the audience has no real connection to Mary, resulting in a feeling of, "Um, alright?" from the crowd when she's exposed. I've always felt that was an awkward and less-than-funny moment all around. It'll get some laughs simply on the basis of someone pulling a wig off another person, but it's not the show's finest moment by any means.

[Just_John]

Posted: 6/8/06 at 8:23pm

I've seen it four times and every time that happened the whole audience gasped. The first time I didn't even think about it. But it IS pretty obvious. Even in the playbill they always write the first initial and the last name. And the headshot is of the character, not the actor.

[SamIam3]

Posted: 6/8/06 at 11:27pm

Thanks everyone for your answers so far!!
I had forgotten about how they do the headshot as the character! Has anybody else seen it on Broadway with the actor playing Mary Sunshine posturing and showing his muscles? It sounds like for most people, Mary Sunshine was startled and embarassed.
Thanks everyone!
Erin

[C is for Company]

Posted: 6/8/06 at 11:33pm

The current one did it the past 2 times I went in March, definitely showing of a more skievy side and marching off showing off the fact it was a guy.

[Dover]

Posted: 6/9/06 at 12:13am

I know the current(?) Mary Sunshine, Ryan Lowe, does the muscles thing, and I'm not sure if he does it every night, but often he will plant a big kiss on one of the girls standing upstage, who usually looks shocked.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 6/9/06 at 1:29am

Yeah, I saw the original cast way back when, and I was in the second row so I had a pretty close-up view. I was like, "Wait a minute...is that a...man?" And sure enough, in the program, in "her" headshot Mary Sunshine was clearly a man! Kinda killed the surprise at the end...