Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3750
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.
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3751
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
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3752
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?
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3753
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
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3754
Posted: 1/22/26 at 1:48pm
Would someone compile a complete list of cast members who are leaving Feb. 1st?
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3755
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.
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3756
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
Swing Joined: 11/20/19
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3757
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.
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3758
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)
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3759
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.
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3760
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.
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3761
Posted: 1/24/26 at 10:57am

Jeff Sullivan (upcoming Sgt. Fogarty and Billy Flynn understudy)
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3762
Posted: 1/24/26 at 11:00am

Austin Dunn (upcoming bailiff)
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3763
Posted: 1/24/26 at 11:03am

Danielle Marie Gonzalez (upcoming June and Matron Mama Morton u/s)
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3764
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.
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3765
Posted: 1/26/26 at 12:19pm
Down goes another one. Mikayla Renfrow announced she's leaving the show in four weeks.
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3766
Posted: 1/26/26 at 9:37pm
Whitney leavitt will be on Kelly and mark tomorrow
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3767
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.
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3768
Posted: 2/1/26 at 3:46pm
Happy retirement Sharon Moore!!
https://www.instagram.com/p/DUOVPMoFdND/?igsh=N2dqY3JyM2Q0Nmpu
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3769
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
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3770
Posted: 2/1/26 at 7:31pm
curious to hear if there are any speeches after tonight's show for anyone attending?
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3771
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.
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3772
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/
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3773
Posted: 2/2/26 at 6:46am
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUPOnMekXOR/?igsh=MWZ3bGhwbzJ4dzJ5eQ==
Chicago The Musical Appreciation Thread#3774
Posted: 2/2/26 at 3:41pm
Who’s catching Whitney’s Roxie debut this evening?
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