Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread — Page 22

Actually Steph Pope left.
Kelcy Griffin is the new Annie and is also a Velma understudy along with Donna Marie.

This article centers on the dresser to all the Billy Flynns. She has been on the job for 18 years! Bravo.
Chicago

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I'll be there! Should be fun.

Wow, it was simply amazing. If only Chicago could have that energy on stage and off every performance.
Show opened with a speech by Walter Bobbie. John Kander recited the spoken prologue.
James Naughton did the entire Both Reached For The Gun, and he still completely has it.
Joel Grey performed the final half of Cellophane. Audience went nuts.
Ann and Bebe were welcomed with thunderous applause and a standing ovation. They did the full Nowadays duet, sadly not the Rag and Finale.
Both looked amazing. Those legs! I am amazed by how phenomenal Ann looks for her age. She looked like she did in 1996. I wish she hadn't retired because her energy and goofiness was fully on display.

Show ended with more Bobbie and a touching speech by the Weisslers.
Also in audience: Charlotte, Brenda, Marilu, John O'hurley, Chris Sieber, Carol woods and I'm sure many more.

Perfect evening. I am thrilled with the fact that we soon might have three dark and fantastic k&e shows on Broadway at the same time. Chicago, Cabaret, and The Visit!

I was wondering, we're any other alumni put into the show??

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I'm sure there will be pictures eventually, and hopefully a video or two.

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Look at Ann Reinking. It's amazing. Like she hasn't aged a bit since 1996. I wish she and Bebe still had it in them to play at least once full performance together. I know both have some health issues now.

Fantastic pictures! I wish there had been some pictures of the male and female ensemble cast.
CHICAGO

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curtain call. Wow, I didn't originally notice the current Mary Sunshine standby - J. Loeffelholz- who was standing next to Ann Reinking. I almost thought he didn't exist. : ) Jason Patrick Sands is looking especially muscular.



Chicago Curtain Call 11 23 14

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Updated On: 11/24/14 at 05:53 PM

Amra certainly had more energy last night, but she still bored me. The REAL surprises were Christopher Fitzgerald and Carmen Ruby. Both have completely fresh and energetic interpretations of their characters. Such a delight to hear Carmen sing the first half of 'Good To Mama' completely straight as written, with just enough riffs at the end.

Bianca must change her interpretation often. I had only seen her at the "fan day" performance, and her portrayal last night was almost totally different from then. She is now a total ham, really going over-the-top. As I recall, she was more sleek and sexy at fan day. I do love that she takes appropriate liberties with the music, belting some notes up the octave.

Personally I think Fitzgerald, no doubt a great actor, is more suitable as Amos than as Billy Flynn, especially comparing to James Naughton. For me, Fitzgerald was trying too hard at the "Razzle Dazzle", but overall gave a delightful performance. Amra, on the contrary, is a solid dancer and a smart actor. I sat in the 2nd row, so I saw lots of creative details of her interpretation. Totally loved her Velma last night, and last night only so far.
Yes. Bianca Marroquin changed her acting often. She acted extraordinarily hard, maybe partly because she was kind of under the weather last night. You could tell from her voice.

Na Tasha Yvette Williams was fantastic in Porgy and Bess. Many wanted to see her receive a Tony nomination, but it didn't happen.