Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread- Page 104
Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
#2575Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/12/22 at 6:11pm
Rob Bowman was the conductor that Chicago needed after the sad events of the summer of 2018.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#2576Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/14/22 at 9:18pm
Chicago at the Muny. https://youtu.be/QmvrZogyLJs
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#2577Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/19/22 at 9:28am
Patti LuPone FANatic said: "https://www.telecharge.com/Broadway/Chicago/Overview
Emma Pittman (thru June 19)
Lana Gordon (thru September 11)
Ryan Silverman (thru July 31)
Jennifer Holiday (thru September 11)
Evan Harrington (thru September 11)
R. Lowe (thru September 11)
I wonder who'll replace Emma Pittman and Lana Gordon? There are plenty of Roxie's to choose from, but very few available Velmas."
I hope Emma Pittman will come back as Roxie! I actually thought back when they had the Roxie search in 2019 she'd be Roxie for more than 2 weeks.
Who do you think will replace R. Lowe? Every single time I've watched CHICAGO on Broadway, R Lowe performed as Mary Sunshine so I think they had the role for the past 10-12 years?
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#2578Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/19/22 at 10:26am
Emma has garnered ZERO buzz for CHICAGO. Aside from those even aware of that Roxie competition show (I wasn’t, and I follow Broadway), no one has any clue who she is or if she’s supposed to be some “big deal.” I’m sure this 2 week run was stipulated in her winning contract so the Weisslers finally got that over and done with after keeping this girl waiting forever.
#2579Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/19/22 at 12:01pm
All you have to do is look at Chicago's grosses from last week. That's exactly why she only got a two week run. Not that Bianca will do any better for sales. I still wonder if Emma will do the tour for a stretch?
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
#2580Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/19/22 at 12:02pm
Broadwaycom on youtube had 5 episodes entitled "Search for Roxie" back in fall 2019. I'll admit I was excited to see Emma Pittman on Broadway when they announced her as the winner back in Jan 2020. I think a lot of the attention lately has been on Pamela Anderson to the point where people forgot Emma Pittman the winner of the "Search for Roxie" was going to perform after Pamela ends her run.
#2581Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/19/22 at 12:39pm
It would be wonderful to see the fabulous Leigh Zimmerman as Velma Kelly. https://youtu.be/mgjcVH6k8lk
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
Updated On: 6/19/22 at 12:39 PM
#2582Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/19/22 at 1:04pm
Patti LuPone FANatic said: "It would be wonderful to see the fabulous Leigh Zimmerman as Velma Kelly.https://youtu.be/mgjcVH6k8lk"
Not this summer. I believe she's doing A Chorus Line again at Pittsburgh CLO.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
#2583Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/19/22 at 6:55pm
Leigh Zimmerman will be involved with A Chorus Line from July 26-31. She could go on as Velma Kelly sometime aftewards. She last did the role in 2017.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
Updated On: 6/20/22 at 06:55 PM
Raspberry
Leading Actor Joined: 1/29/07
#2584Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/19/22 at 10:20pm
Wick3 said: "
Who do you think will replace R. Lowe? Every single time I've watched CHICAGO on Broadway, R Lowe performed as Mary Sunshine so I think they had the role for the past 10-12 years?"
I caught Pam's final Friday earlier this month, and the standby J London was on for Mary. He sang it beautifully, was very funny, and his larger build also made for a funnier reveal, as opposed to R. Lowe, who's a much smaller guy. Always fun to see someone new after so many years of one performer, as talented as Ryan Lowe is. If they're looking for a successor, London would be very solid IMO.
I don't think that's necessarily Lowe's actual end date though. Seems to just be as far out as they're announcing on Telecharge.
"I just want a story and a few good songs that will take me away. I just want to be entertained. I mean, isn't that the point?"
#2585Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/20/22 at 4:37pm
Emma Pittman will continue as Roxie through 6/28, with Bianca Marroquin instead covering Lana Gordon as Velma from 6/21 - 6/28, after which she'll take over as Roxie alongside Lana.
https://www.broadway.com/buzz/202373/emma-pittman-to-continue-as-roxie-hart-in-chicago-on-broadway/
jonartdesigns
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/04
#2586Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/20/22 at 4:38pm
Per her Instagram Emma has been extended for another week as Roxie.
As to the last truly new Velma, that would be the fabulous Carly Hughes who did it opposite Jennifer Nettles.
"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel
#2587Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/20/22 at 5:37pm
I caught Emma on Saturday and she was perfectly at home on the stage of the Ambassador. She did the job like a seasoned professional and her Roxie had a lot of pathos and humor. They're lucky to have her!
I sincerely hope that she's added to the cycle of Roxies that they bring in between celebrities. I have no doubt she has a wonderful career ahead of her. :)
A big shout out to the rest of the company, especially the ensemble who were firing on all canisters and offering a collective performance that was high energy and vibrant.
#2588Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/20/22 at 6:13pm
Emma Pittman could conceivably be the Cellblock Tour Roxie, once it starts in the Fall. Maybe I'll get a chance to see Emma as Roxie, when the tour stops in Austin from Nov 1-5. 
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#2589Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/20/22 at 7:04pm
Lana Jean announcing today on IG that she's out with COVID through the 30th, and Emma will be playing her extended run opposite Bianca!
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
BCfitasafiddle
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/25/20
#2590Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/20/22 at 8:46pm
They can't put an understudy on for Velma? I don't get this show at all.
#2591Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/20/22 at 9:46pm
My heart goes out to Jessica Ernest (Roxie Hart understudy). Last week, she posted on Instagram that she would be Roxie Hart on June 20th. That changed, obviously.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#2592Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/20/22 at 10:10pm
Patti LuPone FANatic said: "My heart goes out to Jessica Ernest (Roxie Hart understudy). Last week, she posted on Instagram that she would be Roxie Hart on June 20th. That changed, obviously."
That’s why you don’t count your chickens until they hatched. This younger generation get all excited and share news THEN look foolish having to backtrack when what they boasted about ain’t happening no more. The seasoned actors learned the hard way until you’re on that stage taking your curtain call at the end of the performance, nothing is a done deal and anything can change until then. No one talks nor shares anything. Filmed pilots don’t get picked up. You get let go second day you’re shooting a film. The guest spot you landed on a hit sitcom gets cut during the table read. It’s endless.
#2593Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/20/22 at 10:50pm
I was looking at the list of touring shows on Playbill.com. I'm very disappointed that "Chicago" is the only one that hasn't publicized their upcoming touring information.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#2594Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/21/22 at 6:10am
Kudos to Emma for getting another week. But who was Velma? From what I know, Bianca wasn't actually starting until Thursday.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
#2595Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/21/22 at 11:43am
The current Velma understudies are Mary Claire King and Christine Cornish Smith. According to her IG, Bianca begins as Velma Kelly today on Tuesday, June 21st.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
Updated On: 6/21/22 at 11:43 AM
#2596Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/21/22 at 12:18pm
Christine was Velma last night along with Celina as Mama.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
Poconopanther
Understudy Joined: 3/31/16
#2597Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/21/22 at 12:22pm
WOW! Saw the show last night from the balcony and was blown away. Friends were in town from California and everything else was sold out or dark. Purchased cheap balcony tix as I saw the show a few years ago and was underwhelmed…now I wish I was in center orchestra. This cast (with great swings and understudies) was full of talent, emotion and energy.
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#2598Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/21/22 at 12:28pm
BCfitasafiddle said: "They can't put an understudy on for Velma? I don't get this show at all."
Of course they could. But they probably feel Bianca is a better Velma than the two ladies understudying right now, and putting a u/s on for a full week minimizes swing availability in case other people are out for illness or vacation or whatever. (Assuming J. Holliday also has Covid –– has she even played a performance yet?)
#2599Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 6/21/22 at 5:08pm
J. London will be Mary Sunshine from June 30 - July 6. R. Lowe is probably on his annual summer vacation.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
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