Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread- Page 55
Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
#1350Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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
#1351Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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
#1352Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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)
#1353Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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.
#1354Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
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)
brettarnett
Featured Actor Joined: 5/2/09
#1355Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 2/11/18 at 8:49pm
Interesting as Hurder was probably the funniest thing in today's matinee, I kinda wished she was on for Roxie. Although Bianca definitely picked up steam after Roxie, but I was very unsure of her after Funny Honey. I will second that both leading ladies seem to be overpowered by the band amplification.
#1356Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 2/11/18 at 9:40pm
Bianca Marroquin has done the role of Roxie, off and on, since around 2003. On Broadway and on tour, she has managed to put her own personal touches to the role.
"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)
jonartdesigns
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/04
#1357Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 2/12/18 at 12:44am
I have made a vow not to return to this show until there is a promise the Amra is gone for good. I've seen her twice, and admittedly her Velma is more interesting from the front row (a great deal of subtle, playful nuances that I doubt play any further than the first three rows), but she is really just giving a technically perfect, bland performance. I'd love it if Carly Hughes would come back.
"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
ethan231h
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/5/11
#1358Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 2/12/18 at 1:21am
jonartdesigns said: "I have made a vow not to return to this show until there is a promise the Amra is gone for good. I've seen her twice, and admittedly her Velma is more interesting from the front row (a great deal of subtle, playful nuances that I doubt play any further than the first three rows), but she is really just giving a technically perfect, bland performance. I'd love it if Carly Hughes would come back."
I would love to see Carly come back as well, also would kill to see Ciara Renee as Velma one day....I would buy a ticket in a heartbeat to see her in this.
#1359Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 2/12/18 at 6:22am
With regards to understudies, Donna Marie Asbury usually goes on when the regular Velma doesn't. Gabrielle McClinton (the other Velma understudy) rarely performs the role. I think she's done it once (recently) when she showed her pic on 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)
#1360Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 2/12/18 at 9:34am
The producers really need to clean house at Chicago. How many cast members have been there for 10 years +? I'd see the show immediately if they had a brand new cast from top to bottom.
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.
#1361Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 2/15/18 at 9:30pm
Ruthie Henshall as Mama Morton? This is interesting. https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Ruthie-Henshall-Sarah-Soetaert-and-Josefina-Gabrielle-to-Lead-CHICAGOs-Return-to-the-West-End-20180215
"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)
#1362Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 2/15/18 at 11:34pmChicago has become the nursing home for Broadway warhorses and a haven for reality TV show “stars”....next up: Omarosa Manigualt.
#1363Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 2/15/18 at 11:44pm
ACL2006 said: "The producers really need to clean house at Chicago. How many cast members have been there for 10 years +?I'd see the show immediately if they had a brand new cast from top to bottom."
I agree but Barry & Fran don't care...the show is tired and those dudes Brian O'Brien & Patrick Sands have been with the show for over 10 years
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
#1364Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 2/16/18 at 6:10am
Robbie2 said: "ACL2006 said: "The producers really need to clean house at Chicago. How many cast members have been there for 10 years +?I'd see the show immediately if they had a brand new cast from top to bottom."
I agree but Barry & Fran don't care...the show is tired and those dudes Brian O'Brien & Patrick Sands have been with the show for over 10 years" I have seen Brian O Brien perform as Billy Flynn (back in 2012), though I've never had a chance to see Jason Patrick Sands as Billy. I remember Brian holding that "the....gun" note for the longest time. Jason Patrick understudies for Billy and Amos. They and other veteran players continue in their roles because they are very talented. The producers of the show recognize that, even if some theatre fans do not. By the way, I'm seeing the national tour of "Chicago" tomorrow evening (Sat. Feb. 17th ) with Dylis Croman as Roxie Hart and Lana Gordon as Velma Kelly. I live in Austin, Texas (central TX) and am driving to Dallas (195 miles) and then to Ft. Worth (32 miles). It's all worth it, to me. The only thing I don't like about the Bass Performance Hall (Ft. Worth) are the seats in the front row section. They tend to "move" and gives me a bit of motion sickness. I might have to take Dramamine. (I am not kidding.)
"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)
#1365Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 2/17/18 at 3:36am
Why is Ruthie as Mama interesting? Just curios.
Ruthie included “when your good to mama” on her last album.
Disclaimer - I love Ruthie. During her stint as Velma on broadway the Shubert box office used to say the Henshall boy is here again. She my fav
Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Ruthie Henshall as Mama Morton? This is interesting. https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Ruthie-Henshall-Sarah-Soetaert-and-Josefina-Gabrielle-to-Lead-CHICAGOs-Return-to-the-West-End-20180215"
#1366Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 2/18/18 at 7:23pm
Here are some of the pictures of my backstage visit to "Chicago" at the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas.
left to right: Dylis Croman (Roxie Hart), Daniel Gutierrez (Billy Flynn u/s, Fred Casely u/s), Roman Castillo Jr. and Brent Barrett (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)
#1367Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 2/18/18 at 7:26pm
with the delightful Lana Gordon (Velma Kelly) and Jennifer Fouche (Matron Mama Morton)
"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: 2/18/18 at 07:26 PM
#1368Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 2/18/18 at 7:28pm
I had a shirt created with Pop, Six, Squish (front) and this on the back.
"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)
#1369Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 2/18/18 at 7:37pm
with Dylis Croman (Roxie Hart). The intent was to form a 2 and a 0, to signify the 20th time I've seen 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)
#1370Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 2/18/18 at 8:58pm
The current "Chicago" National Tour Cast:
Velma Kelly: Lana Gordon
Roxie Hart: Dylis Croman
Fred Casely: Michal Kolaczkowski
Sergeant Fogarty: Adam Vanek
Amos Hart: Paul Vogt
Liz: Lauren Gemelli
Annie: Tiffany Mellard
June: Laura Oldham
Hunyak: Celia Mei Rubin
Mona: Sophie Lee Morris
Matron "Mama" Morton: Jennifer Fouche
Billy Flynn: Brent Barrett
Mary Sunshine: D. Ratell
Go-To-Hell-Kitty: Tanya Haglund
Harry: Daniel Gutierrez
The Doctor: Taylor Collins
Aaron: Colt Adam Weiss
The Judge: Taylor Collins
The Bailiff: Deon Ridley
Martin Harrison: Daniel Gutierrez
Court Clerk: Deon Ridley
The Jury: Matthew Winnegge
UNDERSTUDIES:
for Roxie Hart: Lauren Gemelli, Evelyn Christina Tonn
For Velma Kelly: Lauren Gemelli, Laura Oldham
For Billy Flynn: Daniel Gutierrez, Deon Ridley
For Amos Hart: Matthew Winnegge, Corey Wright
For Matron "Mama" Morton: Laura Oldham, Evelyn Christina Tonn
For Mary Sunshine: C. Caballero
For Fred Casely: Daniel Gutierrez
Dance Captain: Christophe Caballero
Swings: Christophe Caballero, Evelyn Christina Tonn, Corey Wright
"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)
#1371Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 2/18/18 at 11:25pm
could you possibly post a cast list(w/understudies) for the tour since there isn't one posted on the show's website?
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.
#1372Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 2/19/18 at 9:35am
ACL, you'll find that information in the post just before yours. I must say that Michal Kolaczkowski is one sexy Fred Casely. He does a moving pec thing that is "memorable."
"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)
#1373Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 2/19/18 at 10:00am
thanks for the cast list. Looks like the tour has some long running vets in it, too(Caballero, Gutierrez, Oldham, Tonn, Corey Wright).
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.
#1374Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread
Posted: 2/19/18 at 1:28pm
ACL: I finally met Daniel Gutierrez. I spoke a little bit with Laura Oldham and Corey Wright. The person who plays Fred Casely is quite the looker. I finally had a chance to meet Lana Gordon and also spoke with the lady who played Mama Morton. Her voice reminded me of Patti LaBelle. She smiled when I mentioned that to her. I'm almost certain that Lana Gordon will return to Broadway Chicago, as AFW (your favorite) finishes her current run and Terra C joins the tour once more. The crowd was a little subdued at the Bass Performance Hall. Paul Vogt was very good as Amos, as well as Dylan Ratell as Mary Sunshine.
"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)
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