Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread- Page 133

[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.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 9/7/24 at 8:22am

Red Conception is a new Amos and Orfeh is a new Mama. About half of the ensemble are 10+ years in the show(Sharon Moore & David Bushman are over 20 years, Charlotte has been in and out for 20 years, Ryan Lowe is close to 20 years). Since they reopened in Sept. 2021, there's some new faces: Celina Nightengale, Arian Kendall, Kristen Faith Oei, Mikayla Renfrow, Jaquez, Max Clayton, Kristen Covillo, Khori Michelle Petinaud. I wonder if Emma Pittman would return as Roxie after her contract in The Outsiders is up?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 9/7/24 at 9:53pm

It's kind of odd that the next Velma hasn't been announced as of yet.  Is Lana Gordon still with the Hadestown tour?  

[ACL2006]

Posted: 9/7/24 at 11:11pm

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "It's kind of odd that the next Velma hasn't been announced as of yet. Is Lana Gordon still with the Hadestown tour?"

no, the equity tour recently closed. they're starting up a non-equity tour in a few weeks.

 

https://www.hadestowntour.com/