Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread- Page 125

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 1/27/24 at 3:18pm

Barrett Martin will be Billy Flynn on Feb. 3rd and 4th, while Max Von Essen is in San Francisco for his show. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 1/27/24 at 10:33pm

with the fabulous Kimberly Marable (Sat. Dec. 23, 2023) 

 

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 1:13pm

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Her name is Kristen Faith Oei. I'm thinking Bianca Marroquin will return as Velma."

According to Charlotte D’Amboise’s Instagram story, Amra-Faye Wright will be returning as Velma.

(*eye roll*)

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 2:04pm

quizking101 said: "Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Her name is Kristen Faith Oei. I'm thinking Bianca Marroquin will return as Velma."

According to Charlotte D’Amboise’s Instagram story, Amra-Faye Wright will be returning as Velma.

(*eye roll*)"

So even though she announced her retirement, the producers of CHICAGO can't find anyone else to play Velma? This show is so pathetic with it's casting sometimes.

[SweetLips22]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 5:32pm

Recently saw production in Australia and realised just how tired the whole thing is without a cast that is totally outstanding. Even the great Anthony Warlow looked tired and walking through it. Amos and the ensemble were the stars but the rest, ordinary[apart from the great band].

Why 'Class' hasn't been dropped I'll never know. Boring and slows the show down and Mamma Morton needs another showstopper.

I used to love the jury member and all his disguises but this production you would never have been aware he was there.

The show is doing great business here so there is still an audience but please do an update with the material and the cast.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 6:14pm

ACL2006 said: "quizking101 said: "Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Her name is Kristen Faith Oei. I'm thinking Bianca Marroquin will return as Velma."

According to Charlotte D’Amboise’s Instagram story, Amra-Faye Wright will be returning as Velma.

(*eye roll*)"

So even though she announced her retirement, the producers of CHICAGO can't find anyone else to play Velma? This show is so pathetic with it's casting sometimes."

 

 

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 6:21pm

My God, when will they finally lay this production to rest? Please let it die. 

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 1/29/24 at 1:52pm

Amra-Faye is on the show's website. At least it's an updated headshot.

I get that they'll try to use a seasoned Velma to help an unseasoned celebrity Roxie get her confidence and guide her along. But really? How is there nobody else aside from someone that's been doing it for 20 years? 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 1/29/24 at 1:54pm

Why do the producers not utilize an untapped resource for Velmas?  There have been many former cast members who were either understudies or swings and had opportunities to play the role of Velma.  I once asked Dylis Croman if she'd ever entertain the role of Velma.  She mentioned something noncommittal.  I wonder if Biianca Marroquin was unable to take the role...or if she was even asked?   I really miss Terra McCleod as Velma Kelly, who I have seen play the role on tour and on Broadway.  At the moment, she's in a production of "Next to Normal". 

Updated On: 1/29/24 at 01:54 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/29/24 at 1:58pm

Velma is one of the great roles in the history of musical theatre.

I don't understand the weirdness of this production's treatment of that role, unless Barry just has a hyperspecific view of what he wants for the character.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 1/29/24 at 2:06pm

I would even applaud an unconventional Velma Kelly...such as J. Harrison McGee who has performed the role at the MUNY.  I think J HMG is doing Once Upon A Mattress...but might be available after that?   They could get a foreign Velma.  There's an Australian touring production at the moment, I think.  

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/29/24 at 6:33pm

Joseph London is Mary Sunshine until further notice. He's been on as Mary for over a week now. Not sure about Ryan Lowe and when he'll return. Jayke Workman is back as the Mary Sunshine standby. Sounds like possibly COVID is running through the show again.

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/29/24 at 7:14pm

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Why do the producers not utilize an untapped resource for Velmas? There have been many former cast members who were either understudies or swings and had opportunities to play the role of Velma. I once asked Dylis Croman if she'd ever entertain the role of Velma. She mentioned something noncommittal. I wonder if Biianca Marroquin was unable to take the role...or if she was even asked? I really miss Terra McCleod as Velma Kelly, who I have seen play the role on tour and on Broadway. At the moment, she's in a production of "Next to Normal"."

Bring back Leigh Zimmerman too! She was my first Velma (alongside Colman Domingo as Billy - *swoon*) and she was a fierce and fiery sexpot. If she wasn't just cast in Lempicka, I would also KILL to have Khori Michelle Petinaud take the role. She's a trainer Fosse dancer with fierce moves and some sultry pipes. She could really invigorate the role.

When I went to see Jinkx Monsoon as Mama the first time, Amra-Faye was doing the absolute LEAST and poor Charlotte was carrying the show best she could but even she was running out of gas.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 1/29/24 at 10:17pm

Leigh Zimmerman was my first Velma too!  March 17, 2011 (I saw her again in November 2019.) 

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 1/30/24 at 6:13am

ACL2006 said: "Joseph London is Mary Sunshine until further notice. He's been on as Mary for over a week now. Not sure about Ryan Lowe and when he'll return. Jayke Workman is back as the Mary Sunshine standby. Sounds like possibly COVID is running through the show again."

Ryan Lowe is fine and is vacationing in sunny Maui.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/30/24 at 9:07am

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "ACL2006 said: "Joseph London is Mary Sunshine until further notice. He's been on as Mary for over a week now. Not sure about Ryan Lowe and when he'll return. Jayke Workman is back as the Mary Sunshine standby. Sounds like possibly COVID is running through the show again."

Ryan Lowe is fine and is vacationing in sunny Maui."

Lowe left yesterday but was out of the show the week prior.

The show has had to bring in five previous cast members to cover illness, vacations or injuries recently. Eddie Bennett, Dani Spieler, Nicole Benoit, Matt Winnegge and Colt Adam Weiss have popped back in the show recently.

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 1/30/24 at 11:50am

Did anybody see Ariana last night?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/1/24 at 7:08pm

Well, this is surprising news.  Mary Claire King (Velma Kelly understudy) announced on Instagram that she finishes her run in Chicago on February 18th.  I had a chance to see her as Velma, during my recent NYC vacation.  

[Huss417]

Posted: 2/6/24 at 11:50am

https://www.vanityfair.com/style/ariana-madix-shoots-broadways-chicago-to-record-ticket-sales-week

Ariana Madix Shoots Broadway's Chicago to Record Ticket Sales Week

I didnt know who she was till I looked it up.

Updated On: 2/6/24 at 11:50 AM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/11/24 at 2:37pm

I would love to see Nick Adams as Billy Flynn!

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 2/11/24 at 3:49pm

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "I would love to see Nick Adams as Billy Flynn!"

Now, Nick is talented enough to play either Roxie or Velma. He’s more than qualified to handle the original revival choreography for both roles.  

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/11/24 at 4:26pm

No surprise, but AFW has already missed several performances since she came back last week.

[Melissa25]

Posted: 2/20/24 at 6:40pm

This article just enlightened me to the fact that Sofia Vergara played Mama. I had no idea. I just finished watching her in Griselda on Netflix. She kills. 
https://people.com/celebrities-who-starred-in-chicago-on-broadway-6046159

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 2/20/24 at 7:46pm

Melissa25 said: "This article just enlightened me to the fact that Sofia Vergara played Mama. I had no idea. I just finished watching her in Griselda on Netflix. She kills.
https://people.com/celebrities-who-starred-in-chicago-on-broadway-6046159"

Yup. This was weeks before she filmed the pilot for the now-classic ABC TV sitcom MODERN FAMILY so you’ll notice on the following press clip her accent is very slight and subtle. After MODERN FAMILY made its explosive debut, she would go on to use her character Gloria’s exaggerated accent as part of her own public persona:

 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/20/24 at 9:25pm

ACL2006 said: "No surprise, but AFW has already missed several performances since she came back last week."

With Mary Claire King gone, the show is left with one Velma cover - Kristen Faith Oei. Dani Spieler is back for a short run as Liz.