Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread- Page 126

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/20/24 at 9:42pm

ACL2006 said: "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."

I know she was only a maternity cover and recently signed on to Lempicka, but I wish Khori Michelle Petinaud had an opportunity to join the Velma rotation. She's a great Fosse dancer affiliated with the Legacy AND has some nice, smoky vocals. 

Also, I want Manuel Herrera in the Billy Flynn rotation as well - though he would be a better actor/dancer than singer for the role.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/22/24 at 7:17pm

Saw the tour last week as part of a subscription package. No celebrities, all unknowns and I thought they were excellent. It's nice to see Chicago in the hands of fresh young talent. Kailin Brown, Katie Friedeni and Ed Gotthelf as Fred Casely were the standouts for me. I know it's non-equity though and I hope the actors are being fairly compensated for their talent. I'd venture to guess this cast might actually be a bit more fun to see than the current Broadway cast, but I'll need to see both at some point to compare.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/22/24 at 11:01pm

I was surprised that Bianca Marroquin did not make a return as Velma Kelly.  

[Robbie2]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 12:46am

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "I was surprised that Bianca Marroquin did not make a return as Velma Kelly."

Bianca and AFW retire already ladies from Chicago, enough! AFW is old to be playing Velma still!

Ariana is bringing in the crowds so happy for her as she has the right star quality from DWTS and VPR and her fans are supporting her! Over $1m for this show this week -WOW!!!

Updated On: 2/23/24 at 12:46 AM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/24/24 at 7:40am

Robbie2 said: "Patti LuPone FANatic said: "I was surprised that Bianca Marroquin did not make a return as Velma Kelly."

Bianca and AFW retire already ladies from Chicago, enough! AFW is old to be playing Velma still!

Ariana is bringing in the crowds so happy for her as she has the right star quality from DWTS and VPR and her fans are supporting her! Over $1m for this show this week -WOW!!!"   Wow, I hope that is not true about Bianca Marroquin.  She can still be an effective Velma.  All the more reason for the Weisslers to develop a dependable rotation of Velmas.  In the past, they have been able to have a celebrity Velma go into the show.  They need to put some serious effort with Velmas as they do with Roxies.  I cannot think of a possible celebrity Velma, at the moment.  The show needs something like the 2019 Search for Roxie.  Emma Pittman came out of that.  There needs to be a 2024 Search For Velma....STAT!  

 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/8/24 at 12:14pm

Robyn Hurder as Velma! Tuesday, March 26 through Sunday, June 16.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Robyn-Hurder-to-Return-to-CHICAGO-as-Velma-This-Month-20240308

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/8/24 at 12:17pm

Take my money!

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/8/24 at 12:26pm

She's going to Kill it as Velma.

Hopefully she has a great Roxie to play opposite.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 3/8/24 at 1:09pm

Robyn Hurder is going to be a breath of fresh air. 
 

also Mikayla Renfrow has joined the cast as Liz/ u/s Velma

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 3/8/24 at 1:19pm

When was the last time Chicago had a new Velma who could dance, sing, AND act? (Key word being “new.”) She’s going to absolutely kill it.

Also, it’ll be fun to see her on stage opposite - if not directly opposite - her BFF, Max Clayton. I wish her run overlapped with Jinkx’s, but maybe she’ll extend.

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 3/8/24 at 1:22pm

Let’s hope they don’t put her in those horrid wigs  

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/8/24 at 1:33pm

Robyn and Charlotte are very good friends, so I wonder if Charlotte will return in April?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/8/24 at 1:43pm

The show needs something like the 2019 Search for Roxie.  Emma Pittman came out of that.

Yeah, that completely revamped CHICAGO. Not.

Poor girl had to wait years to get a couple of weeks in the show which produced zero fanfare. Hopefully she’s moved on and closed that CHICAGO chapter and started focusing on other projects instead of waiting for them to reach out again. 

[60'splayoff]

Posted: 3/8/24 at 1:57pm

I agree the situation was less than fair, but I'd say she's doing ok after opening Back to the Future in the ensemble and landing the female lead in The Outsiders.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 3/8/24 at 1:59pm

bwayphreak234 said: "Robyn Hurder as Velma!Tuesday, March 26 through Sunday, June 16.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Robyn-Hurder-to-Return-to-CHICAGO-as-Velma-This-Month-20240308"

Oh my goodness, I may have to make an early return to NYC to see Robyn as Velma!   If I can make it, I would also love to see Natascia Diaz in Cabaret.  

Updated On: 3/8/24 at 01:59 PM

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 3/8/24 at 2:01pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "The show needs something like the 2019 Search for Roxie. Emma Pittman came out of that.

Yeah, that completely revamped CHICAGO. Not.

Poor girl had to wait years to get a couple of weeks in the show which produced zero fanfare. Hopefully she’s moved on and closed that CHICAGO chapter and started focusing on other projects instead of waiting for them to reach out again."

That "poor girl" is on quite a roll these days. She's a fantastic talent. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/8/24 at 2:07pm

I stand corrected AND I just got my a** handed back to me. Completely overlooked she was THE Emma Pittman when I saw the cast list of the upcoming musical adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s THE OUTSIDERS. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/8/24 at 3:57pm

Emma was likely joining CHICAGO sometime in 2020 as Roxie. COVID had other plans. hence the long wait for her to join the show.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/8/24 at 5:00pm

ColorTheHours048 said: "When was the last time Chicago had a new Velma who could dance, sing, AND act? (Key word being “new.”) She’s going to absolutely kill it.

Also, it’ll be fun to see her on stage opposite - if not directly opposite - her BFF, Max Clayton. I wish her runoverlapped with Jinkx’s, but maybe she’ll extend."

Yeah, let's hope there's ample notice on if Clayton is going on as Billy during Robyn's run. He hasn't gone on yet. A shame Hurder isn't with the show when Jinkx returns.

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 3/8/24 at 5:13pm

So excited about Robyn. Hopefully, this sets a new precedent at Chicago for casting new and age-appropriate Velma's. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/8/24 at 6:26pm

jonartdesigns said: "also Mikayla Renfrow has joined the cast as Liz/ u/s Velma"

That girl is killing it. Straight from Wicked to Aladdin to Chicago with no breaks in between (and some national press attention).

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 3/9/24 at 3:03am

Oh she’s gonna be so good! Her Roxie was the best I’ve seen live.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 3/9/24 at 11:05am

Says a lot that no one here seems to have any interest in seeing Madix.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/9/24 at 11:13am

everythingtaboo said: "Says a lot that no one here seems to have any interest in seeing Madix."

Right? It's funny, I know Chicago has had a slew of what most folks would consider exciting casting, but this is the first time I have personally been this excited about seeing the show again.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/9/24 at 3:05pm

everythingtaboo said: "Says a lot that no one here seems to have any interest in seeing Madix."

Madix is selling a lot of tickets though. She's out next weekend though. And then they have Jinkx returning for a short engagement in June/July. Curious if they play on bringing in someone over the summer.