Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread- Page 132

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 6:38am

This new troll account looks oddly suspicious. 

[Ensemble1723266984]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 3:13am

That's a classic Beatrice Lillie moment! Her wit was always sharp, and this story perfectly captures her playful spirit. Love how she and Noel Coward had such a brilliant rapport!

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 1:08pm

abu islam said: "Great to see a dedicated thread for 'Chicago'! I also saw the show a few years ago and was blown away by the cast's energy. Leigh Zimmerman and Dylis Croman were indeed stellar. I'd love to hear more about other people’s experiences and favorite cast members. The show's blend of talent and charisma is truly unforgettable!"

Friends with Patti LuPone FANatic?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 1:16pm

Friends with Patti LuPone FANatic?

Updated On: 8/16/24 at 01:16 PM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 8/20/24 at 9:41am

Orfeh will play Mama Morton from August 26 - September 15!

[Kad]

Posted: 8/20/24 at 9:51am

Surprised she's stepping in for such a short run.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/20/24 at 10:03am

Wonder i who they have joining after to be with Alyssa. But Orfeh is EXCITING casting for me. 

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 8/20/24 at 11:23am

I hope she extends into Alyssa's run...a guy can hope!

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/20/24 at 11:23am

Kad said: "Surprised she's stepping in for such a short run."

 

Natasha was supposed to stay until September 15, but I guess she needs to leave early. She's also been out a lot since she returned, hence why Haley Swindel has been in and out of the show covering as Mama.

 

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 8/20/24 at 11:37am

Phillytheatreguy10 said: "I hope she extends into Alyssa's run...a guy can hope!"

I'm praying to the Broadway gods that she overlaps with Alyssa's run and out of Broadway week, so I can use the normal discount for a solo ticket - win-win-win!

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/20/24 at 7:31pm

ACL2006 said: "abu islam said: "Great to see a dedicated thread for 'Chicago'! I also saw the show a few years ago and was blown away by the cast's energy. Leigh Zimmerman and Dylis Croman were indeed stellar. I'd love to hear more about other people’s experiences and favorite cast members. The show's blend of talent and charisma is truly unforgettable!"

Friends with Patti LuPone FANatic?"   Huh?

 

[macbeth]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 4:14pm

Just bought my tickets, and early enough in the run as I have a feeling I'm going to want to go back. What long-overdue casting! Has she ever sung this material before in concert?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 4:49pm

macbeth said: "Just bought my tickets, and early enough in the run as I have a feeling I'm going to want to go back. What long-overdue casting! Has she ever sung this material before in concert?"

Not yet, at least. 

 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/24/24 at 3:46pm

Max Clayton got called in today to play Billy Flynn as Max Von Essen is out with COVID. Max Clayton will be Billy through Tuesday.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/24/24 at 5:31pm

ACL2006 said: "Max Clayton got called in today to play Billy Flynn as Max Von Essen is out with COVID. Max Clayton will be Billy through Tuesday."  Does this mean that both Jeff Gorti and Barrett Martin (both Billy Flynn understudies) were not available for some reason?  

 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/24/24 at 5:34pm

Jeff was in for the matinee, Barrett was not.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 8/28/24 at 8:35pm

Chicago anything? My cousin is in town and wants to see Ariana before she leaves 9/1.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/28/24 at 10:15pm

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_PIbX9xGoM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link    A little dance segment with Orfeh, Robyn Hurder and Max Clayton.  Instagram.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 9/1/24 at 2:13pm

We sometimes hear about a principal player in a  musical being unable to continue mid-show and be replaced by an understudy/standby, etc.  To what extent has that happened with "Chicago"?  Does anyone have any instances where a Billy Flynn, Roxie or Velma was unable to complete a show?  

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 9/1/24 at 4:23pm

During the original cast run of the 1996 revival, Ann Reinking wasn’t feeling well during Act 1 so she chose to skip out Act 2. Her standby, Nancy Hess, had already been dismissed for that performance (she had to call in before each performance), and was doing errands when she got the call she needed to go on for Ann for Act 2 so she had to drop everything and bolt to the Shubert Theatre. Intermission was extended a few extra minutes until Nancy was ready. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 9/4/24 at 10:01am

Colombian singer-songwriter Sebastián Yatra will play Billy Flynn from November 25 to December 22.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 9/4/24 at 11:42am

EDSOSLO858 said: "Colombian singer-songwriter Sebastián Yatra will play Billy Flynn from November 25 to December 22."

That casting is announced, but we still don't know who the next Velma and Amos will be starting September 16.

*Max Von Essen extended through Nov. 24.

Updated On: 9/4/24 at 11:42 AM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 9/4/24 at 6:12pm

ACL2006 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "Colombian singer-songwriter Sebastián Yatra will play Billy Flynn from November 25 to December 22."

That casting is announced, but we still don't know who the next Velma and Amos will be starting September 16.

*Max Von Essen extended through Nov. 24."    

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 9/6/24 at 10:59pm

I was noticing on social media (IG) that some commenters were complaining how the casting of the Colombian singer as Billy Flynn is an example of stunt casting at the expense of trained professional theatre people.  Those people are blithely ignorant of the fact that Chicago's use of "unconventional casting" is a major reason that the show has been running since 1996.  While some of the choices have been dubious (Elvis Stojko anyone), most of the casting has been successsful.  

Updated On: 9/7/24 at 10:59 PM

[quizking101]

Posted: 9/6/24 at 11:06pm

I mean, considering how many people have been consistently employed by CHICAGO for years, even DECADES, IG people complaining about a 4 week stint are just doing it to complain.

CHICAGO has had some horrific choices (Wendy Williams immediately comes to mind) but a trained singer is far from the worst possible choice for casting. Even stunt casting can be parlayed into a lucrative turn and even a budding Broadway career (Jinkx Monsoon)

The only thing I wish is that the show would start building up a stable of regular performers to run the show outside of stunt or star casting - which it seems they are starting to do more of now with adding Kimberly Marable, Robyn Hurder, Max von Essen, Max Clayton, and a few others in the mix.