Chicago on bway- is it any good?

[bwaylover86]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 10:56pm

Okay so its my 20th birthday on the 24th (yay! lol) and I was going to get tickets to a show for presidents weekend but they are pretty hard to come by with the holiday weekend and all, but I managed to find a bunch for Chicago. Has anyone seen it? I loved the movie but I know its pretty different. Also does anyone know if the cast is good right now? Here is the list from telecharge:

Amra-Faye Wright @ Velma
Robin Givens as Roxie
John O'Hurley as Billy Flynn
Lillias White as Matron "Mama" Morton
Bruce Winant as Amos
Raymond Bokhour as Amos
R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine


Thanks!

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 11:06pm

It's an amazing production. The longest running and most successful revival in history.

If you are looking for a big flashy show, then don't see Chicago.

Chicago has no set, no special effects, no fancy costumes. Just pure Broadway entertainment. Amazing music, and amazing choreography.

[Parks]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 11:08pm

No, actually it's terrible. 10 years of audiences can be wrong, right?

I personally loved the production--it was a very pleasant surprise. I went in hearing there's no set/costumes which I was afraid of what that meant...I came out with that having been probably my favorite show on my last trip (seeing 6 shows). The cast is nothing but absolutely gorgeous people with amazing talent. Definitely a must-see.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 11:55pm

It is by FAR my favorite show running...

It SOLELY relies on the talent of the cast and crew and orchestra, and it is a dazzling production

You must see it

[CJR]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 12:48am

It *is* my favorite show. I have to love it to have seen it as many times as I have. It's a number Im ashamed to publically admit to, honestly.

Have fun. Where are your seats?

[C is for Company]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 12:55am

I doubt I should be adding my say here against the overwhelming persuasions. But I personally did not like it. There are only 2 of 42 shows I have seen on Broadway that I left the theater feeling unsatisfied. That was Chicago and Bklyn. I looooved the movie, I know its not the material I dislike. There just comes a point where it is just so minimalistic that it relies solely on the performers.
While I'm sure the ones I saw were wonderful, they just didn't do it for me. I saw Melanie Griffith, maybe that had something to do with it, but she acted very convincingly.
I actually will say go see it, don't miss it cause although I may not have enjoyed it I know that I would be upset if I missed it. Plus the cast sounds killer

[CJR]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 8:25am

You saw Melanie Griffith.

Enough said right there.

There just comes a point where it is just so minimalistic that it relies solely on the performers.

That's the point..... it was staged as a concert. And frankly, I adore it -- especially when there's a stellar cast. When you've got an amazing, kick ass cast up there in front of you, it stops mattering that there are no costumes and sets.

Unfortunately for you, C is for Company, the entire cast was off when Melanie was with the show. So while she may have been convinging in the role, the rest of the cast members weren't entirely on their game. You also saw 'dumbed down' choreography for the Roxie numbers because Melanie can't dance (or anything else for that matter, but you know, I'm not bitter) to save her life.

Just thought Id add that.... mostly that the whole Melanie dyanamic probably adds to your dislike without you even realizing it lol

[jv92]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 1:09pm

Get ready to see the greatest musical ever written.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 1:20pm

I saw this cast and they rock--and I saw the OBC of this production. Go see it. But, try not to sit too far on the sides.

[WickedRentEder]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 1:56pm

Yes, it's worth seeing the show! Like someone said it's nothing flashy. It's all very black (literally). The orchestra is righ on the stage but it's a darn good show! I've seen it twice (years ago) with Bebe Neuwirth & Karen Ziemba and also with Ute Lemper!

Worth the money!! Happy birthday!

[DG]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 2:01pm

Lilias White alone is worth the admission price.

[Horton]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 4:00pm

I think what makes Chicago so great, is that shows like Wicked rely heavly on the sets and costumes etc. Chicago is as good as the performers in it, and that is because it is a performace driven show.

[NBC]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 4:39pm

Just so you're aware, the word is that Robin Givens is switching with the tour Roxie for three weeks, beginning sometime next week. (Her name is being used to promote the Detroit stop.) So you might be seeing Michelle DeJean...which would be fine, because she is terrific in the role.

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 5:09pm

I'd say avoid. Just like you hate to see a relative in the hospital on life support, Chicago has become the same thing.

Posted: 2/8/06 at 6:07pm

That's harsh.

Mumble, mumble, mumble.

[ohhoney_]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 6:08pm

oh man oh man oh man.

chicago is the greatest, it is so wonderous. i lost my broadway virginity to it and i have to say, it was AMAZING.

[CJR]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 7:27pm

Carl, dont make me come over there and smack you! lol

And yes, Robin and MdJ will be switching roles for 3 weeks.... and if you get to see DeJean, congrats! She's a PHENOMENAL Roxie!!!!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 7:31pm

Personally I don't like to see a show unless it's run 12 years or more.

To each his own, I guess.

Happy 24th birthday Yeah! LOL!

[C is for Company]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 7:35pm

Is Lilias coming in soon? I am truly reconsidering seeing it again and she is that impetus. I think I'm ready, its been 2 1/2 years since my Melanie viewing that has since left an indelible mark on Chicago for me

[Kev]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 8:39pm

(I actually though MelanieG made her surrounding company come off even more top-notch...the show was on FIRE when I saw that cast over her summer run).

Lillias is there now. She was a mess as Mama; completely walked through her book scenes and her vocals weren't that exciting either.

I have seen both DeJean and Givens as Roxie. DeJean is a solid triple-threat understudy promotion, Givens has the real star quality. Givens vocals were pretty mediocre, but her acting suited Roxie's edginess and vulernability to a T and her dancing was beyond sharp.

Minus the Ensemble and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine, the current cast is pretty lackluster now (and that includes O'Hurley, Amra Faye Wright, Bruce Winant).

[bwaylover86]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 10:41pm

Thank you guys so much for your feedback! I hadn't really ever heard much about the show so this really helped!!! The no sets or costumes definitly doesn't bother me, I love them when they are there, but aren't necessary to enjoy pure talent and good music/lyrics. Is the show similar to the movie as far as the songs go?
Oh and thanks WickedRentEder for the birthday wishes
Sorry I wasn't around to respond, I just saw Wicked for the second time I don't really have to go Presidents weekend, I am a student at NYU so I do live in the city, but my sister and I were going and she is a fraidy cat and won't come into the city by herself lol. We have this whole list of shows to see now that I finally got her into broadway lol.
Oh and thank you for the advice about not sitting off to the sides too far. I won't really see a show unless I am in the center orchestra. (Yes I realize how stuck up this sounds-sorry lol) If I am going just for fun not like with tickets as a gift or a special occastion I will get the cheaper seats, but I hate sitting off to the sides, the one time I did (it was at RENT (my first time too ) and I was wayy over to the right) I missed a lot of the action on stage, and at Aida I was too close and missed some stuff happening on the floor lol, but it was still great.
We havent gotten seats yet because we weren't 100% sure about her work schedule, but after all the positive feedback from you guys we are definitly going soon!!

Thanks so much!!
~Jennie

Updated On: 2/8/06 at 10:41 PM

[shameless]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 10:47pm

I've said it before, but I'll say it again. Chicago is the hottest, and by hottest I mean sexiest, damn show on broadway, and Michelle DeJean, in my opinion, is one of the hottest women ever to set foot on a stage.

[iliketheater]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 1:03am

This production is one of my ABSOLUTE favorites.