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.
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.
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.
Donna Marie Asbury is on as Velma Kelly tonite. Merry Xmas!
I'd love to see Donna Marie as Velma! Do you know if she'll be on again anytime soon?
Any word on how Todrick Hall is doing in Chicago?
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
Drew Nellessen took over for Denny's track(Aaron) last week. Possibly replacing Barrett Martin(Bailiff)?
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.
JBradshaw said: "he did join the cast."
I think the question now is, who'd he replace?
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
https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/950752127089020928 Many references to "Chicago".
Tom Hewitt is returning as Billy Flynn (Jan. 15-- March 11). https://www.telecharge.com/Broadway/Chicago/Overview
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/17/07
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
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)
Kandi looks damn good! If anyone has seen her I'd love to hear your thoughts.
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!
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.
with the original revival Go-To-Hell-Kitty and recent Velma Kelly (Nov. 2017), the lovely Leigh Zimmerman
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.
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.
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.
Robyn Hurder has ended her current run with the cast of Chicago (Instagram). I'm thinking that Angel Reda will return soon.
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