Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread — Page 102

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "First of all, Emma Pittman's run hasn't been verified officially. If it turns out to be true, that is a ridiculously short run for Pittman. Only two weeks for her Broadway debut? I know the Weisslers are very careful with their $$, but 2 weeks is insulting."

That's the same amount of weeks Bianca got for her Broadway debut. If she does well, she'll be back.

It could be a two week trial. If she does well, I do wonder if she'll do the tour this Fall? Maybe Chicago has another name coming in for the Summer?

I know I’m disliked here but I’d love Bebe to come back as Billie Flynn

JBradshaw said: "I know I’m disliked here but I’d love Bebe to come back as Billie Flynn"

You're disliked? I will say that you are very knowledgeable about the show.

I saw Pamela last night and I thought she brought a fresh energy to the role and I thought that Lana really served as a great support to her. They both worked so well together! I also really enjoyed Silverman. I’ve seen this show at least 8 times with seasoned professionals and stunt casting. I can say that I’ve never thought anyone in the ensemble was walking through anything, because to do so would mean they all would have to agree to it, the nature of the choreography and the precision required do not allow for this to happen, difference in energy levels, maybe, but I’ve never seen anyone sleep walk through this show. Back to Pam, the mined the comedy in the role and found a lot of things others had not, her dancing perhaps surprised me the most, she kept up with Lana. Her vocals were the weakest link, but I thought she did better with the duets and was less successful with her solos and was more comfortable when singing with others- however, her Roxie number really worked for me. I think Chicago continues to be a wow of a show- it’s simple, the score is great, the story is timeless, and it’s still sexy as hell!

Phillytheatreguy10 said: "I’ve seen this show at least 8 times with seasoned professionals and stunt casting. I can say that I’ve never thought anyone in the ensemble was walking through anything, because to do so would mean they all would have to agree to it, the nature of the choreography and the precision required do not allow for this to happen, difference in energy levels, maybe, but I’ve never seen anyone sleep walk through this show."

I can tell you I've seen the show somewhere between 70-80 times over the years, and while it's very few and very far between, I've definitely seen a couple of real clunkers, energy and precision-wise. All in all, not a bad percentage! Those times, I will chalk it up to some very dead audience. I remember one particular Sunday matinee with a half-full audience, they were clearly just doing the show to entertain themselves.

When might they be expected to announce who is playing Roxie after Emma Pittman?

I see a new discount code is on BroadwayBox good through September 4: CHBBX22

Emma looks like she's doing great! Hopefully she can keep the momentum going a bit, the very aura of Pam is a tough act to follow.

BrodyFosse123, while I agree with you on a lot of that, shouldn't we wait to see how she is on stage first? I mean, she's still in rehearsal, so in that phase you discuss, and we're not even sure who will be her Velma, to see what their chemistry will be.

Her dance core is technical. She’s been trained that way. She’s a fantastic dancer. I’m not taking that away from her. But she isn’t executing Bob Fosse’s subtext intentions. Look at Liza. Look at Gwen. Look at Chita. Look at Ann Reinking. Look at Ben Vereen. They dance very loose and natural - not sharp and technical when they do Bob Fosse’s choreography. Emma is a fantastic dancer. Just not a Fosse dancer.

I'm inclined to think that Lana Gordon will be Emma Pittman's Velma. After all, it seems that Lana will mentor Emma during the rehearsal process. It wouldn't make sense to make a Velma change.

Anyone seeing Emma tonight?