Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread- Page 147

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 12/15/25 at 10:26pm

ACL2006 said: "Looks like everyone is back today for both shows."

Yes! Fingers crossed for tomorrow night, I'll be there first row!

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 12/15/25 at 11:24pm

ACL2006 said: "FANtomFollies said: "ACL2006 said: "Looks like everyone is back today for both shows."

Yay! Thanks for the update, this gives me a lot of hope they'll be in the show tomorrow :)"

I'd love to hear a review of this cast. Tonight's show is apparently soldout."

Just got home and that was fantastic. I haven't seen the show in about 20 years and it was in quite a sad state on that visit. I'm happy to report that tonight was a complete 180.  I'm so pleasantly surprised, even knowing how talented the leads are. Robyn Hurder is just the most classic definition of a triple threat. Her confidence is instantly infectious and you know you are in good hands the seconds she rises from the stage for All That Jazz. Everything she does has sort of sly wink-wink to the audience that works in this show so well. Her bad-girl attitude was so much fun in the moments that she butts heads with Roxie. She's just so perfectly suited to Velma it erased any memory of previous interpretations, including Catherine Zeta Jones.

I'm admittedly a big Kate Baldwin fan, and she exceeded my expectations. She is one of the most 'present' actors I feel like I've ever seen. She is literally living and breathing every moment as the character and you feel like you are seeing her react in real time to everything around her. It was actually distracting when she is on stage during All That Jazz because it made it hard to watch Robyn. Not in a bad way, but I was afraid I would miss a tiny moment Kate was having with Fred Casely. And yes, her vocals are beautiful. There was something so refreshing and unusual about hearing someone that has such a classical sounding voice singing the jazzy/vaudeville numbers. On paper, she almost shouldn't work as Roxie but I think that tension is what made her so interesting to watch tonight. 

And of course, Alex Newell simply blew the roof off the theater with When You're Good To Mama. That was expected but I loved how fully formed of a character their Mama was. I wasn't expecting that. This Mama had depth and layers to her, and Class was a standout number. Alex really is one of the most exciting Broadway performers of the new generation, in my opinion. 

To sum it up, everything about tonight's performance just felt cohesive and worked. If anyone has any interest in seeing the show, this is THE time and THE cast. 

Updated On: 12/15/25 at 11:24 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/16/25 at 9:17am

FYI, Robyn Hurder is out this Saturday, December 20. Just a heads up.

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 12/16/25 at 10:25am

I forgot to mention that last night, Kate Baldwin and Robyn Hurder both had different wigs. Robyn's is now a blonde and both women have more relaxed, modern hairstyles. Kate's especially looked like it could be her own hair. I've said before that I hate the period wigs in this production as they just don't make any sense. Everything else in the production is minimal and modern. I know when the show opened the hair was very modern - Bebe's pixie cut is iconic at this point. So maybe this marks a return to that aesthetic. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/17/25 at 5:53pm

 

[Melissa25]

Posted: 12/17/25 at 6:46pm

FANtomFollies: I forgot to mention that last night, Kate Baldwin and Robyn Hurder both had different wigs. Robyn's is now a blonde and both women have more relaxed, modern hairstyles. Kate's especially looked like it could be her own hair. I've said before that I hate the period wigs in this production as they just don't make any sense. Everything else in the production is minimal and modern. I know when the show opened the hair was very modern - Bebe's pixie cut is iconic at this point. So maybe this marks a return to that aesthetic. 

Oh, this is such great news.  I thought Kate's wig was an antique and did her nor Roxie any favors. I am so glad they changed it. I will look forward to seeing both her, Robyn and the new wigs when I return in January. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/18/25 at 9:07pm

Kate Baldwin has extended through Feb. 1.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSVI4QLjXzM/

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 12/24/25 at 7:39am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Patrick-Wilson-Reveals-An-Itch-to-Return-To-the-Broadway-Stage-20251223  After reading this article, I think he'd make a great Billy Flynn.  Thoughts?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 12/29/25 at 6:46pm

Longtime cast member Drew Nellessen will be leaving the show on February 1, 2026.  He has been involved with Chicago for 18 years, on and off.  Happy Trails!

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 12/29/25 at 10:16pm

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Longtime cast member Drew Nellessen will be leaving the show on February 1, 2026. He has been involved with Chicago for 18 years, on and off. Happy Trails!"

Based on his IG stories, it didn't really sound voluntary. That said, I wish him all the best.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 12/29/25 at 10:37pm

everythingtaboo said: "Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Longtime cast member Drew Nellessen will be leaving the show on February 1, 2026. He has been involved with Chicago for 18 years, on and off. Happy Trails!"

Based on his IG stories, it didn't really sound voluntary. That said, I wish him all the best."   While that's always a possibility, I'm inclined not to believe that.  

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 12/29/25 at 10:39pm

Not voluntary. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/29/25 at 11:50pm

everythingtaboo said: "Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Longtime cast member Drew Nellessen will be leaving the show on February 1, 2026. He has been involved with Chicago for 18 years, on and off. Happy Trails!"

Based on his IG stories, it didn't really sound voluntary. That said, I wish him all the best."

I concur - CHICAGO has seen quite a bit of turnover lately and there have been A LOT of new faces, especially when I went tonight. Yes, there are the reliable stalwarts who understudy as well (James T. Lane and Max Clayton - and his thighs - are indispensable), but I think the show is finally seeing and/or hearing the need for new faces and fresh blood to keep the show running.

Eight years is a hell of a run for any person. Considering so many people have done this show LOOOOONG past their sell-by date, I think this is good for him and the show. 

Re: Tonight

I haven’t been to the show since 2023 when I ended up there three times that year - twice for Jinkx and once for my friend Jennifer who was doing a few weeks as Mama. While I could definitely tell there was a bit of that holiday schedule lethargy (which is totally forgivable - their 7th in 4 days), you could feel a whole new fresh energy coming from a crop of Broadway vets who know EXACTLY what the assignment is and deliver on it, and then some. Though the sales are better with stunt casting, the show is better when you have tried and true Broadway talent on the bill. 

Kate Baldwin is a revelation as Roxie. I haven’t seen her in a musical comedy since Hello Dolly and I forgot that she can be funny, but also is definitely a little bit of a minx and likes to get playful with her dancers during “Roxie”. She also is in GREAT shape. I never would’ve guessed she was 50 since she was moving and shaking like the rent was due. She also has magnificent chemistry with Robyn as Velma. (At the stage door, Robyn mentioned that she really has great respect for Kate as “a musical theatre legend” - and that is very clear).

Tam Mutu was a nice, oily-slick Billy Flynn, though it took me a minute to adjust to what I assume is his natural voice (since I had his Antonio Banderas-lite voice from TAKE THE LEAD). Alex Newell was great at what Alex Newell does and what everyone expects Mama to do - give the sass and belt ther ta-tas off. I also really liked Adam Bravo as the new Fred Casely. It’s not much of a character, but it was nice to see a fresh face since, the last time I went, Brian O’Brien was looking ROUGH - he had to be pushing mid 50s by then.

Ultimately, the Baldwin-Hurder pairing is one HELL of a coup and I strongly advise y’all to go back and see them knock it out. 

Also, once again shouting out Max Clayton for being buff, gorgeous, easy on the eyes, and a booty that really pops (and jiggles) during “Me & My Baby”

 

Updated On: 12/29/25 at 11:50 PM

[MimiChika]

Posted: 12/30/25 at 12:37am

Correct. The cast got an email about the firings 2 weeks ago. Around 7-10 people are leaving Feb 1st.

cleaning house, including musicians 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/30/25 at 6:29am

MimiChika said: "Correct. The cast got an email about the firings 2 weeks ago. Around 7-10 people are leaving Feb 1st.

cleaning house, including musicians"

who else is leaving?

doesn't sound like Drew got fired. just didn't get his contract renewed. he's also been a travel agent since 2021 and has taken the summers off from Chicago. the only cast member that's been there longer is Sharon Moore, who's coming up on 25 years with the Bway show. Barrett Martin, Denny Paschall, James T. Lane, David Bushman have also been with the show awhile, but Lane has bounced around into other shows.

Last show alert!
After 18 years on and off with Chicago — the last 8 of them at the Ambassador Theatre — my final performance will be February 1st! So many mixed emotions, but I’m ready (and excited) to see what life after Chicago looks like.

Updated On: 12/30/25 at 06:29 AM

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 12/30/25 at 8:55am

ACL2006 said: "doesn't sound like Drew got fired. just didn't get his contract renewed. ."

Is there really any difference between getting fired or not getting your contract renewed?

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/30/25 at 9:16am

FANtomFollies said: "ACL2006 said: "doesn't sound like Drew got fired. just didn't get his contract renewed. ."

Is there really any difference between getting fired or not getting your contract renewed?"

Fundamentally, yes. Usually a firing means he would have been terminated immediately and with cause. This is giving him more than a month of notice that the end of his contract is coming up. Since performers are contract workers, the end of the contract means both sides have fulfilled their obligations to each other and any renewal is optional.

Its not like when the musical director working in consort with Walter Bobbie got fired for bullying the performer playing Mary Sunshine until he broke down to a fatal extent.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/30/25 at 9:32am

FANtomFollies said: "ACL2006 said: "doesn't sound like Drew got fired. just didn't get his contract renewed. ."

Is there really any difference between getting fired or not getting your contract renewed?"

 

yes. if he was fired, he wouldn't still be in the show. they gave him an end date for his current contract. just curious to hear if any other cast members also got let go.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 12/30/25 at 9:37am

Yes, there were.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/30/25 at 9:43am

CoffeeBreak said: "Yes, there were."

 

And...???

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 12/30/25 at 10:37am

Drew Nellessen posted a sweet video on Instagram relating his reasons for his leaving.  Each segment came with a one word caption.  

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 12/30/25 at 10:47am

https://www.instagram.com/p/DS2mylHALvj/?igsh=bmtjNXBrNnpveHdj.  This was a lovely and poignant address by Drew Nellessen.

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 12/30/25 at 1:42pm

quizking101 said: "Its not like when the musical director working in consort with Walter Bobbie got fired for bullying the performer playing Mary Sunshine until he broke down to a fatal extent."

I've never heard about that, reading about it in some articles now....holy crap.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 12/30/25 at 1:56pm

If this was a few years ago, I would've applauded the clearing out. But as a Chicago frequenter, who goes to the show at least 1-2 times a year, in my most recent visit a few weeks ago - first week with Robyn Hurder back in the role - the show was on fire, and the ensemble the best they'd been in recent memory. There's a certain energy the ensemble gets when the crowd is cheering on a star, and then there's the energy I saw on the stage a couple of weeks ago, where it felt like opening night all over again. Maybe it was because they knew they had Kate and Robyn, the best and most equally matched pair in years? 

I did notice that a good chunk of the ensemble has turned over in the last year or so, not counting the swings, so maybe that has something to do with the show feeling fresher. So unless it's a cost issue - contractual raises and such - I can't see why they'd clear the decks at this point. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/30/25 at 3:06pm

And also, all of the female ensemble covers one of the lead roles(Velma, Roxie or Mama). The two female swings don't, but they're both long-tenured vets(Sharon Moore and Jen Dunne). I can't fathom someone else being let go unless it's Joseph London(Mary s/b) or a vet like Denny or Barrett. Moore getting let go would be a surprise.