Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread- Page 113

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/22/23 at 1:38pm

If the producers really wanted to surprise us, then they would announce J. Harrison McGee as Velma Kelly.  JHMG has had experience as Velma Kelly on two occasions with MUNY.  Still, if they announced Leigh Zimmerman as Velma Kelly,  I would LOVE to see her.  LZ was my first Velma Kelly ...St. Patrick's Day 2011 and again in November 2017.  I mean... Jasmine Guy would be an event.

[mar6411]

Posted: 2/22/23 at 1:47pm

J Harrison Ghee

And he's currently one of the leads in Some Like It Hot so I don't see this happening

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/22/23 at 3:52pm

I just want a new face for Velma already. At least we recently got Emma as Roxie. Maybe she'll return next month, too?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/23/23 at 6:40am

Maybe Emma could return as Velma Kelly? Still, that is an unusually short stint for Bianca as Velma. I have mentioned this before in a post. There is an awful lot of untapped talent out there for potential Velmas. The producers should have a "Searching For Velma Kelly" soon.....STAT.

[nativenewyorker2]

Posted: 2/23/23 at 7:39am

Am I making things up didn’t amra announce her stunt last fall was her last? But then she came back like 6 weeks later???

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/23/23 at 8:10am

nativenewyorker2 said: "Am I making things up didn’t amra announce her stunt last fall was her last? But then she came back like 6 weeks later???"

Amra came back to cover Lana's two week vacation. I hope she's done with the show. But then that only leaves Lana, Bianca and Leigh Zimmerman as the regular veteran Velmas until they decide to actually hire a new actress.

[KMKJ]

Posted: 2/23/23 at 12:12pm

ACL2006 said: "But then that only leaves Lana, Bianca and Leigh Zimmerman as the regular veteran Velmas until they decide to actually hire a new actress."

I’m not sure I’d consider Zimmerman one of the “regular” Velmas at the Ambassador… but I would definitely add Terra MacLeod to your list.  It has been awhile but, I’d welcome her return.  MacLeod was consistent in firing on all cylinders.  Zimmerman I found to be rather sloppy and, well, beige.  
 
But ultimately, yes, here for someone NEW coming up that Velma-vator.  

Updated On: 2/23/23 at 12:12 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/23/23 at 12:16pm

MacLeod said after the last national tour (early 2019)wrapped up that she was done with the show.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/24/23 at 2:12pm

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/25/23 at 9:28pm

James T Lane has extended his run as Billy through April 9.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/25/23 at 11:47pm

I wonder who's coming in as Roxie Hart on March 13th?

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 2/27/23 at 9:04am

Jinkx Monsoon has added 14 more performances, from March 16-26. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/27/23 at 9:06am

EDSOSLO858 said: "Jinkx Monsoon has added 14 more performances, from March 16-26."

So Jinkx won't be performing March 13 & 14?

[Huss417]

Posted: 2/27/23 at 9:22am

ACL2006 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "Jinkx Monsoon has added 14 more performances, from March 16-26."

So Jinkx won't be performing March 13 & 14?"

They are just showing the dates of her new extension. Not sure.

Actress, vocalist, and two-time "RuPaul's Drag Race" winner Jinkx Monsoon will extend her run in the role of Matron "Mama" Morton in Chicago for 14 more performances only. The additional performances run Thursday, March 16 through Sunday, March 26, at the Ambassador Theatre.

Updated On: 2/27/23 at 09:22 AM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/27/23 at 10:10pm

Huss417 said: "ACL2006 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "Jinkx Monsoon has added 14 more performances, from March 16-26."

So Jinkx won't be performing March 13 & 14?"

They are just showing the dates of her new extension. Not sure.

Actress, vocalist, and two-time "RuPaul's Drag Race" winner Jinkx Monsoon will extend her run in the role of Matron "Mama" Morton inChicagofor 14 more performances only. The additional performances run Thursday, March 16 through Sunday, March 26, at the Ambassador Theatre."

 

The show has two "Matron Mama Morton" understudies:  Celina Nightengale and Rachel Schur Chase.  

 

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/27/23 at 10:31pm

Patti LuPone FANatic said: " I mean... Jasmine Guy would be an event."'

...To whom would this be an event? While I know she's an accomplished actress of stage and screen, I doubt in the year 2023, her casting would be seen as an "event".

If you want some nostalgic "event" casting, get Sheryl Lee Ralph for a stint as Mama, or Molly Ringwald as Roxie, or Elizabeth Berkley as Velma, or NPH/Joseph Gordon-Levitt/Mario Lopez as Billy Flynn.

 

 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/28/23 at 5:18am

quizking101 said: "Patti LuPone FANatic said: "I mean... Jasmine Guy would be an event."'

...To whom would this be an event? While I know she's an accomplished actress of stage and screen, I doubt in the year 2023, her casting would be seen as an "event".

If you want some nostalgic "event" casting, get Sheryl Lee Ralph for a stint as Mama, or Molly Ringwald as Roxie, or Elizabeth Berkley as Velma, or NPH/Joseph Gordon-Levitt/Mario Lopez as Billy Flynn."

 

Funny story about Lopez playing Billy Flynn. When he did ACL on Broadway in 2008, he said he was offered the role but turned it down several times because he knows he can't sing. Consider that a blessing and he was horrendous as Zach in ACL.


 

 

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/28/23 at 12:11pm

ACL2006 said: "quizking101 said: "Patti LuPone FANatic said: "I mean... Jasmine Guy would be an event."'

...To whom would this be an event? While I know she's an accomplished actress of stage and screen, I doubt in the year 2023, her casting would be seen as an "event".

If you want some nostalgic "event" casting, get Sheryl Lee Ralph for a stint as Mama, or Molly Ringwald as Roxie, or Elizabeth Berkley as Velma, or NPH/Joseph Gordon-Levitt/Mario Lopez as Billy Flynn."



Funny story about Lopez playing Billy Flynn. When he did ACL on Broadway in 2008, he said he was offered the role but turned it down several times because he knows he can't sing. Consider that a blessing and he was horrendous as Zach in ACL.




"

Good for him for knowing his limitations to an extent, but that’s never stopped anyone from collecting a paycheck from the show before.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/1/23 at 6:16pm

hearing Emma Pittman will relaunch the equity national tour when it goes back out in September. No clue about their Velma.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 3/1/23 at 9:55pm

Huss417 said: "ACL2006 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "Jinkx Monsoon has added 14 more performances, from March 16-26."

So Jinkx won't be performing March 13 & 14?"

They are just showing the dates of her new extension. Not sure.

Actress, vocalist, and two-time "RuPaul's Drag Race" winner Jinkx Monsoon will extend her run in the role of Matron "Mama" Morton inChicagofor 14 more performances only. The additional performances run Thursday, March 16 through Sunday, March 26, at the Ambassador Theatre."

Per Telecharge, Jinkx will not be performing those two dates.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 3/1/23 at 10:26pm

ACL2006 said: "hearing Emma Pittman will relaunch the equity national tour when it goes back out in September. No clue about their Velma."   This means that I'll have to travel some distance to see the Cellblock Tour, as the current non Equity Chicago has already stopped in Austin, Houston and later San Antonio.  I would say that Bianca Marroquin stands a good chance at playing Velma.  She could show Emma the ropes with regards to touring....which Bianca has done extensively.

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 3/4/23 at 12:52pm

At today's 2:30 p.m. performance, Mary Claire King will play the role of Velma Kelly.  On Monday, March 20th, Jeff Gorti  will play Billy Flynn.

[broadwayben3]

Posted: 3/5/23 at 10:22pm

Any idea who is replacing Charlotte when she leaves on the 12th?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 3/5/23 at 11:06pm

There are many who would love a return by Pamela Anderson.  Brandy hasn't done the show in a while.  Emma Pittman is another possibility.  I am curious as to will be the next Velma Kelly, after Bianca's upcoming run.  There are shockingly few ladies who have had  (recent) Velma experience.  Aside from AFW and Lana Gordon, the only other one I can think of is Leigh Zimmerman (my first Velma in 2011 and again in 2017).  It's unfortunate that Terra C is no longer available to play Velma.  Did I forget any other Velmas?

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/7/23 at 10:05am

Olivia Holt will join the cast as Roxie on April 10, for 8 weeks only.