Any thoughts on what numbers the "cameos" will be for the anniversary performance? I'd imagine Grey will do Mr. Cellophane, I'd kill to see Bebe do All That Jazz one last time
"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel
They should do "A Chorus Line" like celebration and invite all those who performed the show on Broadway to be a part of this great evening....but that would mean rehearsals with more than 100 people and we all know the Weisslers-too cheap to pay the salaries for that many people......the party will probably be in the basement with cheap champagne in plastic cups. It would be great to see some dancing from Bebe and Ann....but that is highly doubtful...they will probably do a short scene.
Has anyone seen the production on the Royal Caribbean ship? I friend of mine is taking that cruise over Christmas and was asking about it. Is it the full show or just highlights?
I haven't been on a cruise in a while now - but I seem to recall the singers and dancers being very.... ehem... bad.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
"Roxie" veteran Amy Spanger is joining the Broadway cast of "Chicago" for several fall/winter stints. This means that Bianca Marroquin will be doing more tour dates. Amy Spanger
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
There are few "Chicago" cast changes: There's a new Mary Sunshine standby: M. Deming. He could be filling in for a vacationing J. Loeffelholz (lonnng time Mary Sunshine standby) or it might be a permanent move. Nicole Bridgewater and Anne Horak are still listed in the official website credits, but not in Playbill vault. That new Mary Sunshine standby is cute. P.S. M. Deming will be the Mary Sunshine understudy until the 12th of October, 2014. Has anyone ever SEEN J. Loeffelholz actually covering for R. Lowe?
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
Happy Birthday to Terra C MacLeod "Velma Kelly" in the upcoming "Chicago" national tour.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
So, I saw Chicago today for the 4th time and can honestly say it was one of the worst experiences I've ever had at the theater. Amra Faye Wright and Bianca's understudy Melissa Rae Mahon were FANTASTIC, as were Paul Vogt, Christopher Fiztgerald and Carmen Ruby Floyd. My biggest and only issue that made this one of the "worst experiences" was the ensemble!!! They were literally dozing off and looked bored out of their damn minds!!! (and I'm not talking about during Cellophane where they are supposed to act like they're not paying attention). I'm sorry but you're on BROADWAY. You get paid pretty well, you're in a pretty iconic show and you're DOZING OFF?? I couldn't believe it. Whenever I looked at at least 2 of the ensemble men sitting in the chairs along the side of the stage they were seen either nodding off or just staring into space completely bored and looking miserable. It could have been because the audience was hardly even half full (sad) but still, you have a paying audience. My friend who has never seen Chicago before said to me at intermission "are they supposed to act like that? fall asleep during the show?". I hate using the expression "phoning it in" but yikes....there were certainly a few people on that stage this afternoon who couldn't be more bored.
Apprently, there is a German production of "Chicago" starting up in Stuttgart beginning in November. "Chicago" in Germany
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
I've been saying this for years that the producers of Chicago really need to clean house. Most of the actors have been in the show for 5-10 years now. Some even longer. I love the show, but I'd only go back if they'd revamp their cast(leads & ensemble).
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
There are at least a couple of reasons why the Weisslers keep long time veterans. One, they're loyal to some of the veteran ensemble. They know what they're doing. Two, they're tight with a buck (at least that's the impression I get). There are a number of ensemble who have been with the show less than two years. ( I still miss Michael Cusumano.) Ryan Lowe just celebrated his 10th year as Mary Sunshine. He's very talented. Amra just completed (just about ) her 3rd...4th straight year as Velma. I wish that the Weisslers would find someone else as Velma...anyone. I had the chance to see Leigh Zimmerman the first time I saw Chicago in March 2011. She would be awesome!
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
I found 4 additional tour stops of the current Chicago tour: Washington, D.C. (February 10-15) * Buffalo, NY (February 17-22) * Naples, FL (February 24 - March 1) * Tempe, AZ (March 27-29) For some reason, they're not in the listing of tour cities. These dates are those which will have John O Hurley as Billy Flynn.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
Wow...this is an amazing video! In it, Bianca Marroquin sings and dances from a good number of theatrical shows that she's performed..mostly in Mexico. She begins by making a convincing Velma Kelly in All That Jazz and does Hot Honey Rag with her male chorus boys. In between, she performs from Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, Rent and Phantom. I'm in awe of her talent! I'm surprised I haven't run across this video before. (from May 2013) Bianca Marroquin
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
LMAO. No, but it seems like it to some. The picture itself has some significance.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
WT_ are you talking about? This is simply a picture I had taken today on my birthday.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)