Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread- Page 51

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:51pm

This is a scream!  How did this video escape my surveillance of all things Chicago?   Anyway, you have Walter Bobbie as Velma Kelly and Ben Platt as Hunyak.   I didn't understand what he said, except for 'not guilty."  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL9f_L-s8GQ   They did a pretty good job of the stiff leg stomping formation (for lack of a better description).  

[CorkySt.Clair]

Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:58pm

FANatic, I love that video! So many of those miscast routines are inspired casting (Ben Platt does a pretty rad Mrs. Lovett too!)

I never posted on this thread before because I'm not too familiar with the production on Broadway now, but I absolutely adore the OBCR and movie. Chita Rivera is one of my all-time faves, and just hearing her sing "I Can't Do It Alone" is a sure way to turn my day around. I also adore "Cell Block Tango" with a burning passion. 

Sorry if this has been brought up here before, but have you read The Girls of Murder City? The novel follows the women who inspired Chicago, along with the female reporter who covered them and wrote the play that the musical was adapted into. A great read, especially for mt fans like ourselves. 

Again, I apologize if this isn't he sort of thing for this thread. I love love love Chicago, and with all of today's Comet drama I just wanted to be able to post something positive :). 

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 7:21pm

How is Lana's Velma? It might be interesting to her paired with Brandy. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 7:34pm

CorkySt.Clair said: "FANatic, I love that video! So many of those miscast routines are inspired casting (Ben Platt does a pretty rad Mrs. Lovett too!)

I never posted on this thread before because I'm not too familiar with the production on Broadway now, but I absolutely adore the OBCR and movie. Chita Rivera is one of my all-time faves, and just hearing her sing "I Can't Do It Alone" is a sure way to turn my day around. I also adore "Cell Block Tango" with a burning passion. 

Sorry if this has been brought up here before, but have you read The Girls of Murder City? The novel follows the women who inspired Chicago, along with the female reporter who covered them and wrote the play that the musical was adapted into. A great read, especially for mt fans like ourselves. 

Again, I apologize if this isn't he sort of thing for this thread. I love love love Chicago, and with all of today's Comet drama I just wanted to be able to post something positive :). 

 

Corky, welcome to this thread.  Feel free to discuss Chicago.  The more the merrier.  

 

"

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 7:35pm

Ljay, that will be a historic pairing, now that you mention it.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 7:39pm

Have two women of color played Velma and Roxie together before?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 8:01pm

I think this will be a first. https://www.telecharge.com/Broadway/Chicago/Overview

Updated On: 7/29/17 at 08:01 PM

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 7/31/17 at 3:03am

oncemorewithfeeling2 said: "Have two women of color played Velma and Roxie together before?

 

"

No. It's a first. 

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 8/5/17 at 11:52pm

Saw the show tonight with Charlotte as Roxie and Lana Gordon as Velma.  

The show was excellent and the whole ensemble was on fire. It's common for most of the audience to stay to the very end of the music after the show, but tonight it was an especially rock concert-like atmosphere with enthusiasm for the orchestra after the show.  Leslie does such a great job of motivating the audience into a frenzy. 

Lana Gordon. LANA GORDON.  Her Velma was the best Velma I've ever seen, having seen the show 27 times.  First of all, her singing was so much stronger than AFW.  I was really pleasantly surprised by what a great singer she was.  Her comedic timing made her say so many of the lines in a fresh way. I hope she stays in the show for a long time.  

Charlotte, as usual, was fabulous as Roxie.  Tonight she did something I have never seen. In the middle of her Roxie monologue, right before the "fooling around screwing around" lines, she laid down on the stage on her stomach and talked to a girl in the front row saying "well hello to this beautiful girl in the front row! And you have such beautiful braces!  You know you really should not be listening to this. How old are ? 12? Oh ok I guess that is old enough"    The cast was cracking up.  I know that doesn't mean she never does it, but they did like genuinely surprised at the interaction. 

I sat in the front row too and during intermission, I could hear from behind the curtain what I assumed was the dance captain telling the Hunyak understudy where her marks were and what "numbers" on the stage she needs to hit at certain parts of upcoming songs.  It was very interesting. 

Tom Hewitt as Flynn was underwhelming and there were many times where he hesitated saying lines to the point where there was dead air.  It made me very anxious.  I don't know if I read too much into it but when Leslie introduced the cast for the bows, she was noticeably less enthusiastic about saying his name and she looked away as he went past her. His held out note during Reached for the Gun was quivering and it lacked proper support.   

All in all, a great show and it was nice to see the orchestra full and just a few empty sides in the side front mezz

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/6/17 at 7:41am

Wow...27 times!  That is very impressive.  I started a bit late (in 2011).  Anyway, I would love to see Lana as Velma, if I go to NYC in Dec.  It seems that she and AFW are alternating the roles.  Once Charlotte finished her run on Aug. 10th, then there will be an entire week of understudy Roxies, till the newest Roxie arrives on Aug. 17th.  Robyn Hurder seems to be a good Roxie (from the Bryant Park video).  I wonder who they'll get after Aug. 31st?   

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/6/17 at 11:06am

hoping to catch the show on either the 20 or 27. Would love to see this pairing of Brandy & Lana.

[suddenlyseymour]

Posted: 8/6/17 at 11:28am

I'm seeing it on the 19th and can't wait to see Lana and Brandy together. I LOVE Lana's Velma. She's probably one of my faves. I have to agree with Phantom4ever about Tom Hewitt, very underwhelming. I'm secretly hoping Bianca comes back very soon, although I don't think that will happen

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/6/17 at 5:58pm

Robyn Hurder reminds me of a young Mae West.  She's very talented.  There are any number of veteran Roxies who are available in the NYC area.  Amy Spanger comes to mind. She hasn't played Roxie in quite some time.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/13/17 at 8:52am

The Chicago International Tour is winding up its Asian summer journey (Seoul, Tokyo) with a 2 week stop in Taipei, Taiwan.  Dylis Croman is Roxie with Terra C as Velma.  I admire their bravery for being in a really troubled and potentially dangerous region.  

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 8/13/17 at 11:43am

They're so brave. Not. 

Amra and Ryoko are doing the show over there. 

May God Walk with you always. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/13/17 at 12:07pm

Ryoko played Roxie in Tokyo.  Now, Dylis Croman is Roxie in Taipei.  I'm expressing concern for any Americans (or anyone else) who are (or have recently been) in a potential conflict zone.  

Updated On: 8/13/17 at 12:07 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/13/17 at 12:33pm

Taipei isn't exactly a war torn country. Now if they were performing in North Korea...

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/13/17 at 1:08pm

Taipei is a city and refers to the capital city of Taiwan (or Republic of China...though that is verboten in many diplomatic circles.)  Anyway, the Chicago tour was in Seoul, South Korea for 9 weeks, beginning in late May I believe.  They were right in the crosshairs of a dangerous area.  Next, they stopped in Tokyo for 16 performances.  Tokyo is a primary target of the NK regime in any conflict.  Taipei is a safer city than the other two...relatively speaking.  I get the impression that Taipei was a late addition to the tour's schedule.  Meanwhile, I wonder who's playing Roxie on Broadway, before Brandy takes over the role.  I hope both understudies get a chance to play Roxie.

[suddenlyseymour]

Posted: 8/13/17 at 2:01pm

Per her instagram, Robyn Hurder is on for Roxie 8/11-8/15 :)

Updated On: 8/13/17 at 02:01 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/13/17 at 6:12pm

suddenlyseymour said: "Per her instagram, Robyn Hurder is on for Roxie 8/11-8/15 :)

 

"

I was expecting her to be playing Roxie during this week.

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 8/13/17 at 7:27pm

Patti you changed your post but you've been very snide to me in the past. I was wrong. I wasn't paying attention after Toyoko. It's been a 4 show weekend my mind is blah. 

Having spent my teen years living in Korea...even w the north it's one of the safest places. 

See Robyn as Roxie is you can. 

pattifan-eun eoliseog-eun meoliida.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/14/17 at 1:10pm

One of the things I have noticed about the international tour of Chicago is the amazing reception they've been getting in Seoul and Tokyo. Via social media, I've seen the extent of their appreciation of the show and of individual cast members.  They're literally showered with gifts and tokens of esteem at the stage door.  From what I've seen, international fans of the show take their fandom to the next level.  I'm in awe of them.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/14/17 at 7:21pm

Yay!  This thread has passed the 1.6 million views mark.  (Some might say that half of those are mine....not true).

 

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 8/14/17 at 11:14pm

No one cares. Patti why are you so mean to people who might have seen Chicago more than you? 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/15/17 at 12:08am

JBradshaw said: "No one cares. Patti why are you so mean to people who might have seen Chicago more than you? 

I care.  There are others "out there....in the dark" who care as well.  "Don't rain on my parade".  Unless you work for the accounting firm of Price and Waterhouse, your "no one cares" doesn't have a lot of substance.  1.6 million views is nothing to sneeze at.  It's a little achievement, nothing more....nothing less.  I've mentioned on occasion that I'm a Johnny-come-lately with regards to appreciating the show and the people in it. I'm a little confused about "being mean."  At this point, the "honor" is all yours.  Please stop making drama out of thin air.  There are plenty of people...here and actual cast members who do appreciate my modest efforts in promoting Chicago.