Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread- Page 151

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 1/22/26 at 12:18pm

ACL2006 said: "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"

Based on Lowe’s performance I saw last week, I’d say maybe so. Unless he’s taking an extended leave of some kind. But it also isn’t surprising an actor like Mykal Kilgore would take a role like this. Chicago’s an institution of its own. It’s a guaranteed paycheck, and - if he wants and does well in the role - allows him carte blanche to come and go for other contracts. It’s the between-gigs dream job, or the safe place to land, depending on how you look at it.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/22/26 at 12:24pm

The press release has 7 names. Which means seven current members are leaving. So this throws out Jeff Gorti as one of the 7. Tia Altinay replaces Arian Keddell and Chelsea James returns as a swing(replacing Moore?). Three male ensemble members are new, so the missing actor is a male not returning (unless Max Clayton is the one not returning?).

 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/M-Kilgore-Greg-Hildreth-and-More-Will-Join-CHICAGO-on-Broadway-20260122

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 1/22/26 at 1:37pm

Is this the first time Mary Sunshine has been played by a POC? Honestly surprised Lowe was let go but it'll be nice to have a fresh start on that front.

Chelsea James as Dance Captain. Isn't that usually David Bushman? Does that mean he's out?

[MimiChika]

Posted: 1/22/26 at 1:40pm

everythingtaboo said: "Is this the first time Mary Sunshine has been played by a POC? Honestly surprised Lowe was let go but it'll benice to have a fresh start on that front.

Chelsea James as Dance Captain. Isn't that usually David Bushman? Does that mean he's out?"

Yes David was let go. 
also Ryan will back as Mary in the spring 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 1/22/26 at 1:48pm

Would someone compile a complete list of cast members who are leaving Feb. 1st?  

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/22/26 at 1:57pm

MimiChika said: "everythingtaboo said: "Is this the first time Mary Sunshine has been played by a POC? Honestly surprised Lowe was let go but it'll benice to have a fresh start on that front.

Chelsea James as Dance Captain. Isn't that usually David Bushman? Does that mean he's out?"

Yes David was let go.
also Ryan will back as Mary in the spring"

James was the non-equity tour's dance captain for two years. I guess one of those new male ensemble members will be a swing.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/22/26 at 1:58pm

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Would someone compile a complete list of cast members who are leaving Feb. 1st?"

David Bushman

Arian Keddell 

Celina Nightengale

Drew Nellessen

Barrett Martin

Sharon Moore

Jeff Gorti

[KMKJ]

Posted: 1/22/26 at 2:16pm

everythingtaboo said: "Is this the first time Mary Sunshine has been played by a POC?"

Alonzo Saunders (A. Saunders) opened the 2NT as the Mary Sunshine alternate, and also covered the role on Broadway.  

 

 

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/22/26 at 8:24pm

everythingtaboo said: "Is this the first time Mary Sunshine has been played by a POC? Honestly surprised Lowe was let go but it'll benice to have a fresh start on that front.

I’m surprised that he’s being billed as M. Kilgore. He’s already a known entity in theatre circles and so a large part of the audience is already going to go in knowing that Mary Sunshine is actually a man in drag - which kind of deflates the gag reveal in Act II. Also, I’m curious if they are going to do the operatic singing voice or a different take (like R&B)

 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/22/26 at 9:21pm

Not everyone has seen Chicago. It's so the audience doesn't know beforehand that Mary Sunshine is actually a man.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/24/26 at 8:41am

Christopher J. Kelley replaces David Bushman as a swing.

Tia Altinay replaces Arian Keddell as Mona.

Danielle Marie Gonzalez replaces Celina Nightengale as June(u/s Mama)

Austin Dunn replaces Drew Nellessen as Bailiff

Jeff Sullivan replaces Barrett Martin as Sergeant Fogarty(u/s Billy Flynn)

Chelsea James replaces Sharon Moore as a swing.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 1/24/26 at 10:57am

Jeff Sullivan (upcoming Sgt. Fogarty and Billy Flynn understudy)

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 1/24/26 at 11:00am

Austin Dunn (upcoming bailiff)

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 1/24/26 at 11:03am

Danielle Marie Gonzalez (upcoming June and Matron Mama Morton u/s)

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/24/26 at 9:09pm

ACL2006 said: "Christopher J. Kelley replaces David Bushman as a swing.

Tia Altinay replaces Arian Keddell as Mona.

Danielle Marie Gonzalez replaces Celina Nightengale as June(u/s Mama)

Austin Dunn replaces Drew Nellessen as Bailiff

Jeff Sullivan replaces Barrett Martin as Sergeant Fogarty(u/s Billy Flynn)

Chelsea James replaces Sharon Moore as a swing."

sorry, Austin Dunn will be the swing & Christopher J. Kelley is the new bailiff. Also, Dunn & Chelsea James are a couple.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/26/26 at 12:19pm

Down goes another one. Mikayla Renfrow announced she's leaving the show in four weeks.

[Merkin2]

Posted: 1/26/26 at 9:37pm

Whitney leavitt will be on Kelly and mark tomorrow 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/1/26 at 3:39pm

Happy trails to Sharon Moore, Drew Nellessen, Barrett Martin, Celina Nightengale, Arian Keddell and David Bushman!! Hopefully there's a proper send off for Moore at the least, who's been with Chicago since 2001(tour for 2+ years, then joined the Broadway company). Hopefully Moore and Bushman get to go on tonight. Tonight's show is also sold out.

Updated On: 2/1/26 at 03:39 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/1/26 at 3:46pm

Happy retirement Sharon Moore!!

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUOVPMoFdND/?igsh=N2dqY3JyM2Q0Nmpu

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/1/26 at 6:06pm

Chicago posts a farewell send-off on their IG account.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUOoKQTCf1M/?img_index=1

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/1/26 at 7:31pm

curious to hear if there are any speeches after tonight's show for anyone attending?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 2/1/26 at 9:19pm

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUPQcZWEfbH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

A farewell video of departing Chicago cast members.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/1/26 at 9:43pm

There’s a beautiful Chicago tradition most audiences never see: on your final show, during the entr’acte, you step onto the empty stage and dance your goodbye as the orchestra plays.

Tonight, we say happy trials to too many incredible humans. I was swung out and lucky enough to watch them dance in a space they’ve given so much of their lives to. Closing the moment is Sharon Moore, a true legend who’s been part of Chicago for 29 YEARS! HAPPY TRAILS, FRIENDS! What a run!

 

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

[Merkin2]

Posted: 2/2/26 at 6:46am

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUPOnMekXOR/?igsh=MWZ3bGhwbzJ4dzJ5eQ==

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 2/2/26 at 3:41pm

Who’s catching Whitney’s Roxie debut this evening?