Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread- Page 140

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/11/25 at 11:25pm

I just watched the Pamela Anderson documentary "Pamela: A Love Story" for the first time.  I liked the part where she rehearses for the role of Roxie.  She seemed like a charming Roxie...not a natural dancer or singer, but she pulled it off.  Bravo to her.  For those who saw her in the show, what were your impressions of her in the role?

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 7/12/25 at 12:07am

I saw her last performance and thought she was spectacular. Hilarious, effortlessly charming. She had a pleasant voice and danced well, she even did the full cartwheel!

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 7/12/25 at 8:08am

Pamela couldn’t sing it or dance it, and her acting wasn’t great at the early performance I went to, but she IS Roxie in many ways. It worked.

[quizking101]

Posted: 7/12/25 at 9:43am

Her and Lana Gordon had great chemistry together. She was somehow both the conventional and unconventional choice. I think Roxie is supposed to be someone who has an inflated sense of fame undercut by a lack of talent in the song and dance department.

Pamela is neither a songstress or a dancer (though a small case could be made for the latter given her appearances in the DWTS/Strictly franchises). She was perfectly quirky, sexy, sassy when she needed to be, and her nervousness during the big finale lent a realism to it. She WAS Roxie.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 7/12/25 at 9:58am

I ADORED Pamela I as Roxy. I thought she absolutely nailed the role. I agree with quizking's assessment on her chemistry with Lana Gordon and the realism she brought to the role. She was just a delight and brought some great energy to the show.

Updated On: 7/12/25 at 09:58 AM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 7/12/25 at 12:30pm

Anderson was a pleasant surprise. I saw the show not for her, but to finally see Gordon in the role. Once in a while their questionable stunt casting pulls off the role and shocks everyone. Probably not since Jerry Springer as Billy Flynn was I impressed with a celebrity jumping in the show.

[quizking101]

Posted: 7/12/25 at 1:15pm

ACL2006 said: "Probably not since Jerry Springer as Billy Flynn was I impressed with a celebrity jumping in the show."

Oh, I HAVE to hear more about this.

Also, speaking of Billy Flynn - James T. Lane is going on as Billy on Monday and Tuesday (7/14 and 7/15)

[ACL2006]

Posted: 7/12/25 at 1:25pm

quizking101 said: "ACL2006 said: "Probably not since Jerry Springer as Billy Flynn was I impressed with a celebrity jumping in the show."

Oh, I HAVE to hear more about this.

Also, speaking of Billy Flynn - James T. Lane is going on as Billy on Monday and Tuesday (7/14 and 7/15)"

Springer actually sung the role quite well. Couldn't sustain the long note in "Both Reached For the Gun". His acting was also very good and had good charisma, too. There was a reason why he kept getting asked back.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/18/25 at 2:51pm

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/theater/broadway-robyn-hurder-choreography-chicago.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawLndC1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHnqxwFTYJ44YfVEH3Voj_mjYJa38KjUc8_baWnCOln2wHXLp_FpbaT9QxbB6_aem_wIpUGpICot9nXyGmzFaF6w

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/21/25 at 3:28pm

https://playbill.com/article/charlotte-damboise-kathy-fitzgerald-amy-spanger-more-to-lead-steel-magnolias-this-summer

[ACL2006]

Posted: 7/21/25 at 5:46pm

two weeks away from some new (or returning) leads joining the show and there's been zero announcements or hints on social media.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 7/22/25 at 3:19am

They really need to go all out with casting for the 30th anniversary next year. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/22/25 at 9:45am

In years past, you could have quite a few celebrity Billys.  Now, not so much.  The same thing goes with celebrity Velmas.  It hasn't been happening much.  There are more celebrities willing (and able) to take on the role of Roxie.  For Mama, it would be great to have a return of Patti LaBelle or Jennifer Holiday.  At the moment, Pamela Anderson is undertaking a role in "Camino Real".  So she's out of consideration for a while.  I'm not sure what Ariana Madix's availability is at the moment, but she's always popular when she makes a return.  Indeed, Chicago casting needs to make some inspired casting.  As I've mentioned before, I don't remember seeing Chicago's grosses as low as they have been during the summer months.  Something needs to happen.

Updated On: 7/22/25 at 09:45 AM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 10:58pm

Samantha Sturm made her Roxie debut tonight.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 2:38pm

ACL2006 said: "two weeks away from some new (or returning) leads joining the show and there's been zero announcements or hints on social media."

Less than a week away and the new leads haven't been announced. Guessing it's just a bunch of recycled vets returning.

 

CORRECTION: only Dylis Croman is leaving this week. The remaining leads are all there through August 10 now.

Updated On: 7/29/25 at 02:38 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 8:13am

so, anyone know who's Roxie starting tonight?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 10:56am

ACL2006 said: "so, anyone know who's Roxie starting tonight?"

No Roxie announcement. Bianca returns as Velma, new Mama and Billy start next Monday.

 

https://playbill.com/article/tam-mutu-jacqueline-b-arnold-to-join-broadways-chicago-bianca-marroquin-sets-return

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 11:30am

ACL2006 said: "ACL2006 said: "so, anyone know who's Roxie starting tonight?"

No Roxie announcement. Bianca returns as Velma, new Mama and Billy start next Monday.



https://playbill.com/article/tam-mutu-jacqueline-b-arnold-to-join-broadways-chicago-bianca-marroquin-sets-return"

EDIT: Croman extended through Aug 17. Rachel Schur returns for two weeks as Roxie after that. Probably a name entering the show in September as Roxie.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 8:29pm

Per Telecharge.  I was pleasantly surprised to see the return of Rachel Schur as Roxie  from Aug. 18--31.  Both Bianca Marroquin and Tam Mutu are with the show until Sept. 28th.  I hope Mary Claire King makes a return at some point.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 8:48pm

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Per Telecharge. I was pleasantly surprised to see the return of Rachel Schur as Roxiefrom Aug. 18--31. Both Bianca Marroquin and Tam Mutu are with the show until Sept. 28th. I hope Mary Claire King makes a return at some point."

Guessing whoever the next Roxie is can't start until Sept. 1. Might be Charlotte. Rachel retired from the show recently, so they must have been desperate to be a 2 week filler. Croman was supposed to leave on Aug. 3, too.

[MimiChika]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 10:44pm

ACL2006 said: "Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Per Telecharge. I was pleasantly surprised to see the return of Rachel Schur as Roxiefrom Aug. 18--31. Both Bianca Marroquin and Tam Mutu are with the show until Sept. 28th. I hope Mary Claire King makes a return at some point."

Guessing whoever the next Roxie is can't start until Sept. 1. Might be Charlotte. Rachel retired from the show recently, so they must have been desperate to be a 2 week filler. Croman was supposed to leave on Aug. 3, too."

Someone from “Romy and Michele” is joining the Broadway cast  

Updated On: 8/11/25 at 10:44 PM

[nativenewyorker2]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 10:57pm

Mira Sorvino

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/12/25 at 8:11am

Interesting situation over at Chicago regarding Mary Sunshine. Ryan Lowe is still out of the show for undisclosed reasons. Joseph London left for vacation over the weekend and Jayke Workman wasn't available to cover Mary. So OG Mary Sunshine, David Sabella, was called in to play the role starting last Thursday and is playing the role through August 17.

Updated On: 8/12/25 at 08:11 AM

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 8/12/25 at 11:13am

nativenewyorker2 said: "Mira Sorvino"

Sign me up ! She was excellent in Crime Story

Updated On: 8/12/25 at 11:13 AM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/12/25 at 12:15pm

Can Mira Sorvino sing and dance?