Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread- Page 129

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 5/26/24 at 4:36pm

BrodyFosse123 said: ""

Nothing to say.  Not surprised.  

[ACL2006]

Posted: 5/26/24 at 4:44pm

Who is Rebecca Johnson-Smith?? The rumored new Velma taking over for Robyn.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 5/26/24 at 6:12pm

 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/1/24 at 7:52pm

Some COVID running around the show this week. Robyn posted yesterday she has it again and will be out. Nicole Benoit and Colt Adam Weiss were both called into the show for this week/weekend. All swings on since last night.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/1/24 at 8:00pm

Rachel Chase had it recently as well.   

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/1/24 at 8:08pm

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Rachel Chase had it recently as well. "

Mary Claire King, Jeff Gorti and Michael Scirrotto are out due to it. Max Clayton is off rehearsing for Crazy For You. Joseph London is Mary Sunshine for both shows today, too. Not sure if R. Lowe is out due to COVID.

Updated On: 6/2/24 at 08:08 PM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/1/24 at 8:25pm

This situation with the Chicago cast is a sobering reminder that COVID is still out there.  The good thing with Chicago is that the show has numerous people out there who can help out with roles, in an emergency.  

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/1/24 at 10:47pm

For both shows today:

Velma - Kristen Faith Oei

Mary Sunshine - Joseph London

Fred Casely - Marty Lawson

Doctor/Judge - David Bushman

Harry/Jury - Colt Adam Weiss

Liz - Nicole Benoit

Hunyak - Sharon Moore

Go-To-Hell Kitty - Jennifer Dunne

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/2/24 at 10:02pm

For both shows today:

Velma - Kristen Faith Oei

Mary Sunshine - Jayke Workman (called in last minute)

Amos - Joseph London

Bailiff/Court Clerk - Marty Lawson

Doctor/Judge - David Bushman

Harry/Jury - Colt Adam Weiss

Liz - Nicole Benoit

Hunyak - Jennifer Dunne

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/3/24 at 11:41am

Matthew J. Winnege is back with the show  until September 1st in a new track.  

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/3/24 at 11:44am

Matthew J. Winnege is returning to the Ambassador in a new track, until September 1st.  
 

Updated On: 6/3/24 at 11:44 AM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/3/24 at 12:04pm

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "
Matthew J. Winnege is returning to the Ambassador in a new track, until September 1st.  
 "

He's replacing Drew as Bailiff/Court Clerk.

[inception]

Posted: 6/3/24 at 7:01pm

49 years ago today,  June 3, 1975, the original production of Chicago opened at the 46th Street Theatre - now the Richard Rogers.  It played for 24 previews and 936 performances.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/5/24 at 10:28pm

Jaquez will be joining the cast of Chicago as Fred Casely, beginning June 8th.  

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/5/24 at 10:33pm

His full name is Jaquez Andre Sims.  I found this on BWW.   Jaquez was born and raised in Chicago, IL. He attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts where he received his BFA in Dance. Broadway: MOTOWN (Asst. Dance Captain, Ensemble) National Tours: MATILDA (Rudolpho), THE BODYGUARD (Ensemble, u/s Tony, Devaney) NYC: CITY CENTER ENCORES! HEY LOOK ME OVER!, KING KONG LAB, BEETLEJUICE LAB, APOLLO CLUB HARLEM, SPANDEX Off Broadway (Trip Allen). Favorite Regional: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Lyric Opera Premiere (Ensemble), WSS Riverside Theatre (Pepe), HAIR Paramount Theatre (Tribe), CHICAGO Hilton Head Coastal Carolina (Emcee) TV: CBS FULL FRONTAL WITH SAMANTHA BEE, BEATS BY DRE HAPPY COMMERCIAL CAMPAIGN. Jaquez resides in Harlem where he enjoys staying active in fitness and exploring all the beauty the city has to offer.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/7/24 at 12:10am

Jaquez Andre Sims

 

 

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 6/10/24 at 12:20am

I caught the 2pm show today, June 9th. A bit of anniversary for me as it was my 35th time seeing the show at the Ambassador. 

It was my first time seeing Robyn Hurder as Velma and wow she was good. I've never seen "I can't Do It Alone" performed with so much energy and....humor. Bianca Marroquin shined as usual. 

Oh! Sue Anschutz conducted! That was so exciting. I've seen her on the piano many times so it was so cool to see a different conductor. 

Jaquez Andre Sims is an EXCELLENT addition to the cast. I certainly hope he's given a specialty track like Me and My Baby.  Side note about Me and My Baby: if you look at vids from the 2000s, the part of the dance during "so much together, you'd count us as one" and "a dream of a duo, now don't you agree" had the dancers (i'll explain this as best I can) kind of slide their legs out and elogate them. But if you watch the boot of the original cast with Ann Reinking, they do more of a toe-touch with bended knees. And now......they are back to the toe-touch with bended knees. While I adore Ann Reinking, what it developed into by the mid 2000's was much sexier.  I hope they revert back. 

Another thing about today: the ushers were on point and more than four times walked up the aisles and told people to put phones away. I was in the 3rd row of the orchestra. I love aggressive ushers!  

Another thing about today: this was the smallest audience I have ever seen over 35 performances of Chicago at the Ambassador. The sides and back of the orchestra were empty. I would say maybe 50-60% sold?  So frustrating when Times Square is wall to wall people. I'm not losing Chicago in addition to Phantom. Luckily, with the Weisslers, Chicago will be around for quite some time. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/10/24 at 9:38am

They have Jinkx coming back soon and then Maddox in August. They'll be fine this summer. Odd that they haven't formally announced Robyn's replacement.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/10/24 at 11:20am

I keep hoping they'll  ask Leigh Zimmerman for a return as Velma.  

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 6/10/24 at 3:57pm

I thought Rebecca Johnson-Smith was going into the show after Robyn left, though I never saw an official announcement.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/10/24 at 4:00pm

DottieD'Luscia said: "I thought Rebecca Johnson-Smith was going into the show after Robyn left, though I never saw an official announcement."

Nothing has been announced. This is Robyn's final week and it's bizarre nothing has been mentioned. Who is this Johnson-Smith?

Updated On: 6/10/24 at 04:00 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/12/24 at 4:46pm

Robyn has extended her run as Velma through September 15.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 6/12/24 at 5:08pm

ACL2006 said: "Robyn has extended her run as Velma through September 15."

Thank god. I was hoping to see her with Jinkx. How epic.

[Bette's Turban]

Posted: 6/12/24 at 6:56pm

Who is this Robyn ?  Why is it epic?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/18/24 at 3:48pm

Bette's Turban said: "Who is this Robyn ? Why is it epic?"

Robyn Hurder. Best Velma the show has had in quite some time.

Charlotte returns as Roxie on June 27.