Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread — Page 158

Saw this tonight.



Matteo Lane acts like he doesn’t really care about anything. I think that’s just his style, but it’s really annoying for Billy.


Christa Rodriguez is serviceable as Roxy but there’s no attempt at a character. She’s just kind of a modern girl who talks really fast and is devoid of emotion.



Sophia is pretty fabulous dancing-wise but, as with so many people in this show, she talks too fast and not loud enough so you miss a lot of what’s going on.



Interesting moment when they sang Class. The audience didn’t laugh or respond much at all. Too many snowflakes in the audience maybe?


One thing a lot of these performers don’t get is a broader acting style, which is more appropriate for Chicago. They’re playing it like they’re playing to a movie camera and not a Broadway house. Too bad because this is subtitled a Musical Vaudeville. Nothing vaudevillian about these performances.


And BTW, who is this Jeff Sullivan? I could watch him all night. Did he perform last week in the Liza tribute In the Losing My Mind number? I may have to go back again when he’s doing Billy Flynn.


And also, BTW - This is still one of the best shows on Broadway. The structure, the songs! It got me, wondering - is Chicago aging better than A Chorus Line?

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "I wonder if the producers /casting team have ever considered two seasoned Broadway veterans like Cheyenne Jackson or Nick Adams. They could sing, dance and act the role of Billy out of the park."

Love Nick but has hasn't been cast in anything major in over a decade, his one time as a lead. Don't think they'd be knocking down his door. Cheyenne doesn't need the show, at least at this point.

Skip23 said: And also, BTW - This is still one of the best shows on Broadway. The structure, the songs! It got me, wondering - is Chicago aging better than AChorus Line? "


I don’t think the comparison is fully apt because both shows were very highly regarded when they came out, but A CHORUS LINE was just too big of a juggernaut for CHICAGO to get the legs of a much longer life (although it clocked nearly 1000 performances in the original).

The thing about CHICAGO that keeps it fresh (especially when the cast really sells the material) is that, since the O.J Simpson era when this revival was conceived, the crime-as-celebrity motif has boomed into a mainstream cultural phenomenon as opposed to a morbid cultural curiosity. Even the opening lines really summarize the voyeuristic nature of the audience

everythingtaboo said: "Patti LuPone FANatic said: "I wonder if the producers /casting team have ever considered two seasoned Broadway veterans like Cheyenne Jackson or Nick Adams. They could sing, dance and act the role of Billy out of the park."

Love Nick but has hasn't been cast in anything major in over a decade, his one time as a lead. Don't think they'd be knocking down his door. Cheyenne doesn't need the show, at least at this point."

Also, Cheyenne and his family live out in California. Short of a semi-decent pile of money (which the Weisslers would most certainly not give him), there is no incentive for him to come out here for a few months and leave his family. OH, MARY probably paid him a LOT more to come out and join the show (and it was worth every delicious cent)

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

Chicago at Bryant Park with Tia Altinay (Roxie) and Her Boys

Ooooo she will be excellent

https://www.telecharge.com/Chicago-Tickets He's back! Max Von Essen is returning as Billy Flynn from August 17 --- September 18. Also, the newest cast member Lissa de Guzman, will be Velma Kelly from August 17---- October 18.

Another trump supporter on Broadway.

EDSOSLO858 said: "Pro dancer and former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Reece Weaver will play Roxie Hart from September 7 - October 18."

My goodness, what a horrible decision. All the MAGAts will now attend the show and then freak out when Mary Sunshine is revealed to be a man.

Longtime Chicago veteran Angel Reda is back with the show and is also a Roxie Hart understudy.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DcuT8gGjhoK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsi=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== Encores City Center production of Chicago.

Long-time reader, first post — and since the thread has been on Broadway casting lately, here is the view from the touring side.

The 2027 UK and Ireland tour is a 33-stop route, which is a big one by any standard. It opens at the New Wimbledon Theatre on 5 February 2027 and closes at the Edinburgh Playhouse on 27 November, so just under ten months on the road. Most stops are a single week; the long sits are Dublin (29 June - 10 July) and Birmingham Hippodrome (27 July - 7 August).

Four stops are announced but not on sale anywhere yet: Sheffield Lyceum, Llandudno's Venue Cymru, the Orchard Theatre in Dartford, and Dublin, which has not had a venue announced either. Everything else has a seller - ATG for their own houses, and the independents selling direct (Bradford Theatres, Norwich Theatre, Aberdeen Performing Arts, Hall for Cornwall, Grand Opera House Belfast).

Worth noting while it is actually happening: the Japanese dates are on right now. Tokyu Theatre Orb finished on 30 August and Orix Theater in Osaka is playing 3-6 September. After that it is the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, 16-20 December - eight performances over five days, in a room that seats seventeen thousand. Chicago was built for a house a tenth that size, which is the interesting part.

I keep the whole route in one table with venues and sellers. It is my own site, so say the word if links like this are not the done thing here: the 2027 UK and Ireland route, stop by stop

Updated On: 9/4/26 at 05:13 AM

America’s Killer Sweetheart

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/07/style/reece-weaver-dcc-chicago-roxie-hart.html?unlocked_article_code=1._1A.sOR5.6z8kXFPSAin2&smid=nytcore-android-share