Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread- Page 150

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/13/26 at 5:05pm

DottieD'Luscia said: "Surprised it might be Sean Samuels since he just joined the cast in June 2025."

It really depends if Jeff Gorti is considered one of the 7 actors who got fired. That would be the 4 POC(Jeff, Sharon, Celina & Arian).

[Merkin2]

Posted: 1/14/26 at 10:50am

How do you find out who’s on tonight?

[ServeBlockTango]

Posted: 1/14/26 at 11:08am

Saw the show again last night. Agree that the ensemble is in a good shape. Usually the singing doesn't jump out to me but I thought everyone was singing the house down last night. Robyn of course is fantastic as usual. 

[Merkin2]

Posted: 1/16/26 at 7:38am

Why is this show never on TDF 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/16/26 at 12:14pm

Sophie Carmen-Jones and Jacqueline B. Arnold will return on January 26.

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/16/26 at 1:01pm

Merkin2 said: "Why is this show never on TDF"

It never really needs to be. It’s become such an NYC institution at this point that most people will either buy full price  or pick it up for a slightly higher price (than TDF) point at TKTS. They have their months of massive gains (star casting) that bolster the slower months.

Also, it’s likely that most TDF members have seen CHICAGO at this point and I doubt it would ever be listed for when they have marquee names, so most people would likely pass on it in favor of another show

[Azúcar!]

Posted: 1/16/26 at 1:36pm

Did this tour ever pull out of its Kennedy Center engagement?  Is the tour produced by the same producers of the broadway company?  Or is it a licensed production? 

Updated On: 1/16/26 at 01:36 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/16/26 at 1:49pm

Azúcar! said: "Did this tour ever pull out of its Kennedy Center engagement? Is the tour produced by the same producers of the broadway company? Or is it a licensed production?"

the tour is non-equity and produced by APEX.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 1/16/26 at 2:05pm

quizking101 said: "Merkin2 said: "Why is this show never on TDF"

It never really needs to be. It’s become such an NYC institution at this point that most people will either buy full price or pick it up for a slightly higher price (than TDF)point at TKTS. They have their months of massive gains (star casting) that bolster the slower months.

Also, it’s likely that most TDF members have seen CHICAGO at this point and I doubt it would ever be listed for when they have marquee names, so most people would likely pass on it in favor of another show"

They're also the only Broadway show, except maybe SIX, that always offers a discount code, so I'm sure that helps.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 1/16/26 at 2:09pm

ACL2006 said: "Azúcar! said: "Did this tour ever pull out of its Kennedy Center engagement? Is the tour produced by the same producers of the broadway company? Or is it a licensed production?"

the tour is non-equity and produced by APEX."  The last Cellblock National Tour (Equity production) was in 2019.  I saw Chicago twice in Houston (with Dylis Croman as Roxie and Lana Gordon as Velma).  

 

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 1/16/26 at 2:15pm

I saw this last night specifically for the current cast and was not at all disappointed. The audience was a dud, but you mostly wouldn’t know it based on the performances. Kate Baldwin is in fabulous voice, and plays Roxie like a vaudevillian Carrie Bradshaw - all ego, desperation, and with a complete lack of self-awareness. Alex Newell effortlessly blows the roof off with “When You’re Good to Mama” and looks incredible.

Okay, you guys. I don’t say this lightly: Robyn Hurder is genuinely one of the greatest performers I have ever seen on stage. There’s a joy and a ferocity to her performance that made me forget I was in a 50% sold house on a random Thursday in January. She locked eyes with me (or at least it felt like she did) early in “All That Jazz” and it felt like she took every opportunity to connect with me the rest of the show. Even as one of those illusory “only in the theatre” moments, it really felt that dialed in. Her Velma is a viper, singing her face off and kicking it while she’s at it. When we talk about triple threats, this woman is what we should be talking about.

Also, it must be said, god bless that costume department. The ensemble is looking… just great 😮‍💨

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/16/26 at 2:40pm

ColorTheHours048 said: "I saw this last night specificallyfor the current castand was not at all disappointed. The audience was a dud, but you mostly wouldn’t know it based on the performances. Kate Baldwin is in fabulous voice, and plays Roxie like a vaudevillian Carrie Bradshaw - all ego, desperation, and with a complete lack of self-awareness. Alex Newell effortlessly blows the roof off with “When You’re Good to Mama” and looks incredible.

Okay, you guys. I don’t say this lightly:Robyn Hurder is genuinely one of the greatest performers I have ever seen on stage. There’s a joy and a ferocity to her performancethat made me forget I was in a 50% sold house on a random Thursday in January. She locked eyes with me (or at least it felt like she did) earlyin “All That Jazz” and it felt like she took every opportunity to connect with me the rest of the show. Even asone of those illusory “only in the theatre” moments,it really felt that dialed in. Her Velma is a viper, singing her faceoff and kicking it while she’s at it. When we talk about triple threats, this woman is what we should be talking about.

Also, it must be said, god bless that costume department. The ensemble is looking… just great 😮‍💨"

Well, there's going to be 6-7 new ensemble members starting Feb. 2.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 1/16/26 at 3:22pm

ACL2006 said: "Well, there's going to be 6-7 new ensemble members starting Feb. 2."

I meant their costuming and general appearance. But, without even putting names to faces, it’s fairly easy to spot the folks who may have passed their prime in the show. Nothing to do with age; everything to do with commitment to what they’re doing.

[theatrefan18]

Posted: 1/18/26 at 3:00pm

I saw the matinee yesterday and agree with the poster that said that Robyn Hurder is fantastic.  I have seen the show about 10 times over the years including with the original cast and I think Robyn is equal or better than Bebe.  She brought tremendous energy and skill to the performance.  Kate Baldwin is also great and it's a treat to see both of them together.  If you get a chance to see it while they are both still in it, I would highly recommend it.

[SmokeyLady]

Posted: 1/18/26 at 4:18pm

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "ACL2006 said: "Azúcar! said: "Did this tour ever pull out of its Kennedy Center engagement? Is the tour produced by the same producers of the broadway company? Or is it a licensed production?"

the tour is non-equity and produced by APEX." The last Cellblock National Tour (Equity production) was in 2019. I saw Chicago twice in Houston (with Dylis Croman as Roxie and Lana Gordon as Velma).

"

Is Apex a new company?  I am surprised there is no more blow back for playing the Kennedy center.  

[tomwsjr]

Posted: 1/19/26 at 1:05pm

I also saw it over the weekend and was very impressed. In my opinion, this cast is the strongest since the move to the Ambassador Theatre.

Do you know when Kate, Robyn, and Alex’s final performances are scheduled?

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/19/26 at 1:21pm

tomwsjr said: "I also saw it over the weekend and was very impressed. In my opinion, this cast is the strongest since the move to the Ambassador Theatre.

Do you know when Kate, Robyn, and Alex’s final performances are scheduled?"

It’s on their Telecharge site, but for ease:

Robyn & Alex on 1/25. Kate on 2/1

Whitney Leavitt, Jacqueline B. Arnold, and Sophie Carmen-Jones come on 2/2 along with the new ensemblists 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 1/20/26 at 6:20am

Oh no.  I was taking a look through Telecharge.  It is listing Ryan Lowe as being with the show until Feb. 1st.  It is hard to imagine the show without him.  

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/20/26 at 7:48am

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Oh no. I was taking a look through Telecharge. It is listing Ryan Lowe as being with the show until Feb. 1st. It is hard to imagine the show without him."

if Sharon Moore can get let go, so can Ryan Lowe.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/20/26 at 12:33pm

Mary Claire King is back as Go-To-Hell Kitty. I don't think Jessica Ernest left the show and King is probably just a vacation filler. Ernest never had any posts saying she was leaving the show. Still don't know who the final actor that got fired is. Guess we'll know in 2 weeks.

[Merkin2]

Posted: 1/20/26 at 2:15pm

Do we know if everyone is in the show tonight? 

[Merkin2]

Posted: 1/21/26 at 6:12am

I saw it tonight, hadn’t seen it in five years, I agree it’s in good shape.   I went for Kate Baldwin and feel like she’s miscast in the role.  She’s too much and not enough; her dancing was lame in me and my baby, she was slow in hot honey rag, tons of mugging, showing off her soprano, asking the audience for applause, all of which I disapproved of.  The number Roxy was also unfunny and forced, she’s too sweet and self deprecating to be Roxy, too seasoned musical theater actress for this show.  Tam Mutu was fine.  The understudy for Amos was on, Joseph London, him and Alex Newell are both fantastic, they stole the show.  Robyn Hurder does what you’d expect her to do, she’s fine

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/22/26 at 10:30am

Mykal Kilgore joins as Mary Sunshine starting February 2, as Greg Hildreth returns as Amos Hart.

 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/22/26 at 12:09pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "Mykal Kilgore joins as Mary Sunshine starting February 2, as Greg Hildreth returns as Amos Hart.

"

So, does this mean Ryan Lowe is the 7th cast member that got fired? Surprised Kilgore would take this role considering how small it is 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/22/26 at 12:14pm

Christopher J Kelley and Danielle Marie Gonzalez are the first actors o announce they're joining the show. This will be their Broadway debuts.

Updated On: 1/22/26 at 12:14 PM