Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread- Page 54

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1325

Posted: 12/10/17 at 10:16pm

A fond farewell to the fabulous Leigh Zimmerman.  She performed (after a 6 year absence) the role of Velma Kelly for a few weeks.  It was a pleasure to see her in the show.   

https://imgflip.com/i/20uoxt

"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)

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1326

Posted: 12/19/17 at 10:27pm

Drew  Nellesen is making his Broadway debut as Aaron in "Chicago".  He has extensive experience with the show in national/international tours.  Denny Paschall recently left the show.

"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)

[everythingtaboo]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1327

Posted: 12/21/17 at 10:04am

I'm not going to lie, part of the reason I loved going back to the show dozens of times and sitting in the first row was because Denny was so great in the show, and admittedly very easy on the eyes. He did leave and come back I believe, so maybe he'll be back again, but I'm hopeful he's on to something fun and different. 

Leigh's left already? I was hoping to go back and see her and Charlotte together. Any chance AFW can go open the West End production that's coming back? (Where I also saw her as Velma, PS.) I'd just love a nice rotation of Velmas  here for frequent visitors as myself. 

"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1328

Posted: 12/25/17 at 2:39pm

Donna Marie Asbury is on as Velma Kelly tonite.  Merry Xmas!

"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)

[everythingtaboo]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1329

Posted: 12/26/17 at 12:22pm

I'd love to see Donna Marie as Velma! Do you know if she'll be on again anytime soon?

"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008

[Jessetenny]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1330

Posted: 12/28/17 at 7:20am

Any word on how Todrick Hall is doing in Chicago?

[everythingtaboo]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1331

Posted: 1/1/18 at 10:46am

FYI: Sam Lips (Cats, Pippin, R+H's Cinderella) joins the cast through May 20th. Judging by the costume, I'm guessing he's taking over Denny's roles?

Sam Lips' Facebook post

"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008

[ACL2006]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1332

Posted: 1/1/18 at 11:15am

Drew Nellessen took over for Denny's track(Aaron) last week. Possibly replacing Barrett Martin(Bailiff)?

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.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1333

Posted: 1/1/18 at 12:26pm

It is possible that Sam Lips (most recently  in CATS) might be joining the cast very soon.  He had a picture of the Chicago logo on his Instagram.  

"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)

[JBradshaw]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1334

Posted: 1/2/18 at 3:34pm

he did join the cast.

[ACL2006]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1335

Posted: 1/2/18 at 5:37pm

JBradshaw said: "he did join the cast."

 

I think the question now is, who'd he replace?

 

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.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1336

Posted: 1/6/18 at 8:37am

This goes waaaay back to the 1980's in the London production of "Chicago".  This person is playing "Mama Morton".   I didn't like it all that much.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idvW6tuL4Q0

"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)

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1337

Posted: 1/9/18 at 3:58pm

https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/950752127089020928   Many references to "Chicago".   

"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)

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1338

Posted: 1/11/18 at 9:42pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/All-He-Cares-About-is-Love-Cuba-Gooding-Jr-to-Play-Billy-Flynn-in-CHICAGOs-West-End-Return-20180111     Interesting.

"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)

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1339

Posted: 1/15/18 at 12:37pm

Tom Hewitt is returning as Billy Flynn (Jan. 15-- March 11).  https://www.telecharge.com/Broadway/Chicago/Overview

"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)

[Phantom4ever]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1340

Posted: 1/15/18 at 1:16pm

When I saw the show a couple weeks ago, the twentysomething group of friends around here were in awe of how OLD everyone in the show was. They thought that AFW and Charlotte must both be pushing 60 at least and that the majority of the ensemble was in their 50's. One of them said "You see? That's the magic of a director's vision. Even people in the 50's and 60's can see the vision through!"   LOL

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1341

Posted: 1/16/18 at 2:15pm

Learn Five Dazzling secrets about "Chicago".  Hosted by Donna Marie Asbury (Velma Kelly u/s, Mama Morton u/s).  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rC2LdtazEc  (Broadway.com)

"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)

[ucjrdude902]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1342

Posted: 1/16/18 at 2:42pm

Kandi looks damn good! If anyone has seen her I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1343

Posted: 1/17/18 at 5:08pm

Bianca Marroquin is Roxie Hart once more beginning on Monday, January 22, 2018.  I guess Charlotte d'Amboise is leaving early, since Telecharge is having her in the show until Jan. 28th.  If you have never seen Bianca as Roxie, you're in for a treat!

"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)

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1344

Posted: 1/17/18 at 5:45pm

According to her Instagram page, Bianca Marroquin will be Roxie Hart from January 22, 2018 --- April  29, 2018.  Note:  She will not be performing from March 31--April 7.  This will give the Roxie understudies (Robyn Hurder and Tonya Wathen) a chance to shine.  

"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)

Updated On: 1/17/18 at 05:45 PM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1345

Posted: 1/21/18 at 11:08pm

with the original revival Go-To-Hell-Kitty and recent Velma Kelly (Nov. 2017), the lovely Leigh Zimmerman

"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)

Updated On: 1/21/18 at 11:08 PM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1346

Posted: 1/28/18 at 8:22pm

https://www.telecharge.com/Broadway/Chicago/Overview   Evan Harrington is playing the role of Amos Hart from Jan. 30--June 17, 2018.  I have never heard of him.  Upon checking his website, he does have an impressive resume.

"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)

Updated On: 1/28/18 at 08:22 PM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1347

Posted: 2/4/18 at 11:22am

 AFW is Velma Kelly till March 11, 2018.  Terra C will (re) join the current tour in the same month.  I guess that means that the current tour Velma, Lana Gordon, will return to the Broadway cast once again when AFW leaves.  

"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)

[newintown]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1348

Posted: 2/5/18 at 1:24pm

Out of town visitors took me back to this the other night. Always fun to revisit (for free), but the show is in rather sloppy shape in many places, with (what seemed to me) a bit of phoning it in from the principals.

Wright and Marroquin both danced and acted quite well (although Marroquin does a great deal of muttered ad libbing that, I imagine, she thinks is comedy gold), but both verge on inaudible vocally. I don't know if they just have weak, small voices or if they mark it vocally, but the sounds they produce are far from exciting, and they are often drowned out by the (still excellent) band. Tom Hewitt made me think, "Aww, poor Tom Hewitt - what happened to him?" He seemed to be rather bored and tired, as did whoever we saw as Amos (I wasn't familiar with him, and can't remember his name). Kandi Burruss sang ... uniquely, but can't act or stand still. Both she and Wright seem to miss the entire point of "Class," singing it demurely and prettily.

The women of the ensemble are, as always, terrific; a few of the men didn't (to me eye) move like natural dancers, missing freezes and sharp movements in places. There was no standing ovation.

It's always a bit strange to revisit these decades-old war horses and see shadowy reminders of why they became successful.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread#1349

Posted: 2/11/18 at 8:17pm

Robyn Hurder has ended her current run with the cast of Chicago (Instagram).  I'm thinking that Angel Reda will return soon.  

"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)